The Abbotsford Canucks delivered a 5-1 win over the San Jose Barracuda Friday, March 28, the first in a pair of identical 5-1 losses to the Canucks on back to back days.
On Friday night, Abbotsford started out with an explosive first period, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
The Canucks controlled the pace throughout and wasted no time asserting the team’s dominance, striking early. At 2:13 of the first period, Cooper Walker opened the scoring with his fourth goal of the season. The Barracuda struggled to get anything going and Abbotsford made San Jose pay again at 4:22 when Phillip Di Giuseppe scored his first goal of the night.
As the period went on, the Canucks maintained the pressure, and at 11:08, Chase Wouters added another goal, bringing the score to 3-0. Wouters’ eighth of the season came with assists from Arshdeep Bains and Tristen Nielsen. With a 3-0 lead and a 13-8 shot advantage, the Canucks were in complete control.
The Canucks continued to roll in the second period. At 5:55, Jujhar Khaira extended the lead to 4-0, assisted by Nate Smith. Despite a few chances for the Barracuda, including a power play opportunity, San Jose couldn’t break through the Canucks defense, and the Canucks skated off the ice with a comfortable four-goal lead heading into the final frame.
Di Giuseppe added another one at the start of the third period to pad the Canucks’ lead. The Barracuda tried to make a push and Joey Keane managed to score at 7:53, cutting the Canucks’ lead to 5-1.
Keane’s goal, assisted by Danil Gushchin and Rem Pitlick, was the lone bright spot for the Barracuda as the players struggled to generate consistent offense.
Head Coach John McCarthy wasn’t happy with how things went, especially as the team is trying to push its way into the playoffs.
“We can’t start like that. At this point in the season, not going to work. Got to learn from it,” said McCarthy.
Danil Guschin is on fire
The play of Gushchin as of late is one of the highlights for the Barracuda. Friday night was his ninth game in a row with a point and while the Barracuda lost, Coach McCarthy had nothing but good things to say about Guschin.
“Yeah, he’s a talented offensive player, doing a lot of good things. Good one tonight,” said McCarthy.
Guschin’s last NHL game was in November of 2024, against the Vancouver Canucks. With him being on such a hot streak, and the Sharks calling up more players from the AHL, it makes us question if he could make his return sooner than later.
Note: Gushchin’s scoring streak ended on Saturday against the Canucks. He still has 44 points in 48 games.
Playing for the playoffs
The Barracuda have eight games left in the season, with the final game of the regular season occurring on April 20. All eight of the games are against teams currently jockeying for a playoff position in the AHL’s Pacific Division. In other words, the Barracuda can’t afford to give up any ground.
The top seven teams in the Pacific Division make the playoffs. The top team gets a bye into the division semi-finals and it looks as though the Colorado Eagles all but have that spot locked up. The ‘Cuda have two more games against the Eagles.
Here’s what the playoff picture looks like after the games were played on March 29:
| Place | Team | Games Remaining | Points |
| 1 | Colorado Eagles | 9 | 84 |
| 2 | Ontario Reign | 9 | 78 |
| 3 | Abbotsford Canucks | 9 | 77 |
| 4 | Coachella Valley Firebirds | 9 | 75 |
| 5 | San Jose Barracuda | 8 | 73 |
| 6 | Calgary Wranglers | 8 | 71 |
| 7 | Bakersfield Condors | 9 | 66 |
| 8 | Tucson Roadrnners | 8 | 65 |
With games against the Colorado Eagles, Calgary Wranglers, Ontario Reign and Coachella Valley Firebirds on the schedule, the Barracuda can make or break the team’s playoff chances in the next few weeks.
Scoring summary Abbotsford Canucks at San Jose Barracuda March 28, 2025
First Period
2:13 ABB Cooper Walker from Dino Kambeitz and Ty Glover
4:22 ABB Phillip Di Giuseppe from Ty Mueller and Danila Klimovich
11:08 ABB Chase Wouters from Arshdeep Bains and Tristen Nielsen
Second Period
5:55 ABB Jujhar Khaira from Nate Smith
Third Period
2:57 ABB Phillip Di Giuseppe from Chase Wouters and Tristen Nielsen on the power play
7:53 SJ Joey Keane from Danil Gushchin and Rem Pitlick
