The Abbotsford Canucks struggles to score goals was on display over the weekend, as the club was shut out twice in losses to the San Diego Gulls on Friday (Jan. 16) and the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Sunday (Jan. 18).
Special teams struck the Canucks hard in the first period on Sunday, as the Firebirds got power play goals from John Hayden at 4:17 and Logan Morrison at 18:04. The Firebirds held an 11-10 shots advantage after 20 minutes.
The worst penalty killing team in the AHL gets scored on again pic.twitter.com/QFlDAUtjij
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) January 19, 2026
Canucks allow another power play goal, Abbotsford D just collapsed after losing the draw pic.twitter.com/G1FhMSv1uO
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) January 19, 2026
A scoreless second period followed and Morrison then added a little insurance with his second on the night and 20th of the season at 4:28 of the third. The Canucks failed to generate many notable offensive opportunities on Sunday and the two teams both posted 27 shots.
Man left alone in front, 3-0 CV pic.twitter.com/hjnU2fNRzM
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) January 19, 2026
Canucks forward Nils Aman and defenceman Jimmy Schuldt both posted three shots on goal to lead the team. Rookie Aku Koskenvuo was thrust into the starter role on Sunday after Jiri Patera was recalled by Vancouver and he made 24 saves in a solid appearance. Firebirds goalie Jack LaFontaine made 27 saves to post his second career AHL shutout.
Abbotsford’s penalty kill is now ranked as the worst in the AHL and is operating at just 74.6 per cent. They are well below the 31st-ranked penalty kill, which is owned by the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at 76 per cent. Abbotsford is also the lone team in the AHL without a shorthanded goal this season.
Sunday’s shutout loss comes after a 1-0 blanking of the Canucks by the San Diego Gulls on Friday.
Pastujov wide open after Woo misses a hit attempt and they score pic.twitter.com/089bj6NwHZ
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) January 17, 2026
A scoreless first period saw Abbotsford goalie Jiri Patera again come up big with 11 saves, while the Canucks fired just six shots on San Diego goalie Calle Clang.
The Gulls continued having a lopsided shots advantage in the second period and it paid off early when Sasha Pastujov found himself all alone after a perfect pass from Jan Mysak at 2:15. San Diego had a 12-5 shots edge and were out shooting Abbotsford 23-11 after 40 minutes.
The Canucks poured on the pressure in the third period, but were unable to solve Clang. Abbotsford held an 8-3 shots edge in the period and were out shot 26-19 for the game. Forward Vilmer Alriksson led all Canucks with three shots on goal in the loss. It was the first-ever 1-0 shutout win in the history of the Gulls franchise.
Patera made 25 saves and his numbers are outstanding despite being on one of the AHL’s worst teams. He has a record of 7-6-2-0, a goals against average of 2.49 and a save percentage of .915.
BACK TO THE SHOW
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that D Victor Mancini and G Nikita Tolopilo have been assigned to Abbotsford (AHL), D Elias Pettersson has been recalled from Abbotsford and G Jiri Patera has been recalled from Abbotsford under emergency… pic.twitter.com/PW18cSgPkD
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) January 18, 2026
Abbotsford has now been blanked an AHL-most seven times this season. The AHL record for most times a team has been shutout in one season is 17 set by the Springfield Falcons in the 80-game 2004-05 season.
The pair of losses put an end to the Canucks season-long three-game win streak, which saw them post a pair of wins over the Calgary Wrangles at home and then beat the Gulls on Wednesday (Jan. 14).
Abbotsford’s record now sits at 12-21-3-3 and they remain in 10th place in the Pacific Division. The team returns home to host the Laval Rocket on Tuesday (Jan. 20) and Wednesday (Jan. 21).The Canucks welcome the Gulls for games on Saturday (Jan. 24) and Sunday (Jan. 25).