Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Sports

Abbotsford Canucks, Ontario Reign set to clash in best-of-five Pacific Division semifinal

Vasily Podkolzin set to rejoin Abbotsford Canucks for playoffs, Ontario hosting games one and two
Ben Lypka
Ben Lypka
web1_240502-abb-canucksreignpreview-1_1
Abbotsford’s Alex Kannok Leipert drops the gloves with Ontario’s Taylor Ward from a game earlier this season. The two teams are set for a best-of-five series starting tonight (Wednesday). (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News).

The Vancouver Canucks goalie carousel left the Abbotsford Canucks scrambling last week, but they’ve sent Abbotsford back a major reinforcement in the form of forward Vasily Podkolzin.

Vancouver announced earlier today (May 1) that the 2019 first round pick would be rejoining Abbotsford for the team’s Pacific Division semifinal series against the Ontario Reign, which opens tonight (May 1) in California.

The Russian has failed to crack the playoff roster yet in five games while in Vancouver and head coach Rick Tocchet hinted on Tuesday (April 30) that they want Podkolzin to get playing time.

“I think it’s important that he plays some games in a playoff style which could be Abbotsford,” he told reporters.

Podkolzin scored 15 goals and 28 points in 44 games for Abbotsford this season, before being called up to Vancouver on March 7. He recorded two points in 19 games for Vancouver this season. The Canucks later inked Podkolzin to a two-year contract extension on April 18.

RELATED: Vancouver Canucks extend Vasily Podkolzin for 2 more years

His addition to Abbotsford will likely make a big impact on the best-of-five series against the Reign. The first two games are tonight and Friday (May 3) in Ontario, with the final three games, if necessary, shifting to Abbotsford on May 8, 10 and 12.

The Reign and the Canucks met eight times during the regular season, with both teams winning four. Those results were (home team in bold):

  • Oct. 29: Ontario - 5 Abbotsford - 3
  • Dec. 20: Abbotsford - 5 Ontario - 2
  • Dec. 21: Abbotsford - 6 Ontario - 0
  • Jan. 16: Ontario - 4 Abbotsford - 3
  • Jan. 17: Abbotsford - 2 Ontario - 1
  • Feb. 21: Abbotsford - 2 Ontario - 1 (shootout)
  • March 3: Ontario - 2 Abbotsford - 1
  • March 6: Ontario - 5 Abbotsford - 3

The Canucks were led by forwards Arshdeep Bains, Sheldon Dries and Linus Karlsson in the season series. They all scored eight points against the Reign. Tristen Nielsen added five and Max Sasson scored four.

Ontario had five points apiece from forwards Charles Hudon and Martin Chromiak.

The Reign enter the series after a 2-0 sweep of the Bakersfield Condors in round one. Ontario won 5-1 in game one and then edged the Condors 3-1 to win the series.

Tyler Madden led Ontario with three goals in those two games and two of those goals were game winners. Madden was drafted by the Canucks in 2018, but was dealt by Vancouver for Tyler Toffoli in 2020. He had 34 points in 71 games for the Reign this season.

Ontario has several skilled and dangerous offensive player, including AHL veteran T.J. Tynan. He led the Reign with 66 points in 71 games this season. The 32-year-old has been one of the most productive AHL players over the past few seasons, as he recorded 98 points in 2021-22 and then 81 points in 2022-23.

Forward Samuel Fagemo was second in the AHL in goals with 43 and probably would have won the AHL goal title if he played more than 50 games. He recorded 62 points and was second on the Reign in scoring. Fagemo was named an AHL second team all-star.

Hudon was also almost a point a game player in the regular season, collecting 54 points in 56 games. Akil Thomas and Alex Turcotte are both strong offensive talents and spent time with the Los Angeles Kings this season.

Defensively the Reign are anchored by AHL second team all-star Brandt Clarke. The smooth skating defenceman was also named to this season’s all-rookie team. Clarke had 46 points in 50 games and was a Kings first round draft pick in 2021.

Erik Portillo is the expected starter for the Reign. He stopped 53 of 55 shots in the series against Bakersfield and had a record of 24-11-3-2 in the season. Portillo finished with a goals against average of 2.50 and a save percentage of .918. He played in seven of the games against Abbotsford and had a record of 4-3.

Abbotsford is expected to go with Zach Sawchenko in goal after a spectacular series against the Colorado Eagles. He made 47 saves to clinch the series win on Sunday (April 28).

The Canucks will also hope to get more timely goals from captain Chase Wouters, who scored both game winners. Abbotsford was led by Bains and Nielsen in round one, who both collected four points. The scoring was balanced against Colorado, with seven players recording at least two points in the three-game series.

Keep visiting abbynews.com for ongoing coverage of the team’s journey in the Calder Cup playoffs.

RELATED: Press box to the penthouse: Zach Sawchenko leads Abbotsford Canucks to series win

Ben Lypka

About the Author: Ben Lypka

I joined the Abbotsford News in 2015.
Read more