Recap by Mackenzie Grafton
The Canucks ended off a road trip heavy month with a record of 5-2-2-0 and enjoyed a four-game point streak. Calgary ended the month with a massive 5-1 New Years’ Eve win against the Camrose Kodiaks.
Player Spotlight
#23 JUSTIN BARKER
AJHL Player of the Month for December Justin Barker picked up 11 goals and 20 points. Barker also registered at least a point in all nine games played in December, including six multi-point games and a hat trick . The Canucks Captain was also named the AJHL Player of the Week award for November 28th-December 4th, during which he put up four goals and seven points.
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Upcoming Home Games
- Fri, Jan 20th vs Camrose Kodiaks 7:00 PM
- Sat, Jan 21st vs Blackfalds Bulldogs 5:00 PM
- Tues, Jan 24th vs Canmore Eagles 7:00 PM
- It’s Toonie Tuesday – Kids and Seniors tickets are ONLY $2!
- Fri, Jan 27th vs Fort McMurray Oil Barons 7:00 PM
- Sat, Jan 28th vs Bonnyvile Pontiacs 5:00 PM
Summary
Fri, Dec 2nd @ Fort McMurray Oil Barons
The Canucks started a four-game road trip with a 5-3 win in Fort McMurray. Two periods of play would end in a tie with one goal for each team. Matt Corbet would kick off a wild third period with his second of the game. Blake Setter and Justin Barker would add goals for a 4-1 lead. The Oil Barons would fight back with a pair of goals to make it a 4-3 game. The Barons would go for the equalizer with the net empty, but Cale Sanders sealed the 5-3 win with an empty net goal.
Sat, Dec 3rd @ Spruce Grove Saints
Spruce Grove was stop number two for the Canucks, as they took on the north division-leading Saints. Calgary would start and end the first period by scoring a goal, with the Saints scoring a pair in between for a 2-1 game. Blake Setter chipped in for his 5th of the season, and Cale Sanders would tie the game with his 15th. Scoreless in the second, Isaac Abbott and Justin Barker would get each score in the third for their respective teams and take this game into overtime. Canucks would walk away with a point, as the Saints took it 4-3.
Sun, Dec 4th @ Camrose Kodiaks
The Canucks offence came out to play in their third game in three nights. Nine different players appeared on the scoresheet as the Canucks scored a touchdown on the Kodiaks in a 7-4 victory. Justin Baker led his team with a four-point night, including a third-period penalty shot goal.
Fri, Dec 9th @ Okotoks Oilers
The last stop on the four-game road trip was in Okotoks to take on the Oilers. The Canucks walked into the third period with a 2-1 lead with goals from Caden Steinke and Sam Callahan. A pair of Oilers goals would give Okotoks the lead with under five to play in the game. Justin Barker would tie this game and send it into overtime. Canucks would pick up a point and extend to a five-game point streak.
Sat, Dec 10 vs Spruce Grove Saints
Tailing the Saints 1-0 after one period of play, Justin Barker and Matt Corbert would score 62 seconds apart to take the lead in the second. The Saints would play a solid third, scoring two goals for a 3-2 win.
Fri, Dec 16th @ Canmore Eagles
Tied 2-2 with the Eagles after two periods; Justin Barker’s third-period hat trick led the Canucks to a 6-3 road win in Canmore. Riley Hearn, Cale Sanders and Ty Hipkin all chip in a goal each en route to the victory.
Sat, Dec 17th vs Okotoks Oilers
In the last home game of 2022 at Ken Bracko Arena, the Canucks would find themselves in a 2-2 game after two periods of play. Ty Hipkin and Caden Steinke would both find the back of the net for the Canucks. In the third period, Sam Lozinski would be the hero as he scored the eventual game-winner, Canucks would take this one, 3-2.
Tue, Dec 20th @ Okotoks Oilers
Justin Barker continued his dominant month of December, scoring two goals in 51 seconds early in the first period. After leading the game 2-1 after two periods of play, the Oilers scored 3 three straight goals to take the lead and go on to win the game 4-3. Blake Setter scored the third goal for the Canucks.
Sat, Dec 31st @ Camrose Kodiaks
After giving up the first goal in the opening frame, the Canucks brought fireworks in the second period. Dylan Bidyk tied the game up, followed by Matt Corbet, scoring two goals, including a powerplay maker. Then, in the third, Bowden Singleton scored a pair of goals on the man advantage, and the Canucks would be celebrating the end of 2022 with a 5-1 victory.