Abbotsford started strong, but really appeared to wilt as the game ground onward. This Wranglers team has all their players back from the parent club, and they're going to be a tough out in the playoffs,.
Fortunately Abby won't meet them in round one. They pulled two points ahead of Colorado for fourth by gutting out a 3-2 win tonight. But Colorado has one game remaining against the Ontario Reign tomorrow. With a win they'd tie the Canucks in points, but own the tiebreaker.
So Abbotsford won't find out until tomorrow night whether they open at the Abbotsford Entertainment Center, or climb on a plane for Denver.
As far as tonight was concerned, Bains had a strong game was voted star #1 with a goal and assist; while Nick Cicek was all over the ice and a tower of strength in his own zone. Easily one of his best games of the year.
And Tolopilo didn't get much love from the guys picking the stars, but was simply outstanding in the third period, where Abby was badly out-shot and out-chanced. He was at his acrobatic best after Calgary pulled Wolf and pressed for the equalizer in the last two minutes.
Another successful AHL season in Abbotsford......and they reached the 40 win mark for the second straight season. More importantly, they're one of the youngest teams in the AHL. And development of young players is what it's all about for your AHL farm team.