The North Vancouver Wolf Pack earned a hard-fought 3–2 road victory over the Abbotsford Pilots on Thursday night at MSA Arena, powered by timely scoring and a strong performance from goaltender Marcus Taylor.
The Wolf Pack opened the scoring midway through the first period on a power play when Alex Kazakoff snapped home a shot off a setup from Dante Bernardini and Ciaran Henry. That early strike gave North Van the confidence to dictate the pace through the opening twenty minutes, as Taylor stood tall to deny a handful of quality Pilots chances.
The second period saw the Wolf Pack’s defensive structure take center stage. Abbotsford pressed hard, but Taylor continued to turn aside everything thrown his way, and the penalty kill unit stayed sharp to protect the lead. While the middle frame ended without additional scoring, North Van’s composure under pressure set the tone for a resilient third period.
The Pilots finally broke through early in the third to tie the game 1–1, but the Wolf Pack answered quickly. Ciaran Henry restored the lead when he finished off a passing play from Josh Moussodji and Dante DiMarino, reclaiming momentum for North Van. Then, with just over a minute remaining, Moussodji added an insurance marker with an empty netter off a feed from Lucas Crescenzo, giving the Wolf Pack a 3–1 advantage. Abbotsford managed a late goal to make it 3–2, but the Pack held firm in the final seconds to secure the win.
The victory showcased the Wolf Pack’s balanced attack and disciplined team play. Taylor’s 30-save effort provided the backbone, while contributions up and down the lineup highlighted the team’s depth and chemistry. After dropping a few close ones in recent weeks, this was a statement performance from a group intent on regaining consistency.
With the win, the Wolf Pack improved their road record and will look to build on the momentum as they return home for their next matchup. Friday’s effort showed a team capable of closing out tough games — a key ingredient for long-term success as the PJHL season rolls on.
