Wranglers pick up a critical point in tough 5-4 shootout loss in Abbotsford

The Wranglers in action against Abbotsford Saturday night. (Photo: X@AHLWranglers)

The Wranglers lost the game but picked up an important point Saturday as they dropped a 5-4 decision to Abbotsford in overtime.

After Abbotsford rallied with two late goals from Aatu Raity and Linus Karlsson to give the Canucks a 4-3 lead, the Wranglers pressed for the equalizer late into the third, until Tyson Barrie scored to knot the score at four apiece with a half dozen seconds left on the game clock.

Tristen Neilsen scored on the first shot of the shootout, and then Sammy Blais added another to secure the win for the Canucks.

Sam Morton, Rory Kerins, and Clark Bishop scored for the Wranglers, who outshot Abbotsford 30-27.

Arshdeep Bains and Raity scored in the first period for Abbotsford.

The overtime loss gave the Wranglers a single point, which preserved a two-point lead over fifth-place Abbotsford in the Pacific Division, where the gap between second place and sixth place is six points.

The Canucks have a game in hand over the Wranglers, who have 13 games remaining in their regular season schedule.

The two teams do it again Sunday night in Abbotsford. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. MT.