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Nikita Tolopilo Records Back-to-Back Shutouts in Big Weekend for Abbotsford Canucks
Photo credit: Vancouver Canucks - X
Vancouver Canucks goaltending prospect Nikita Tolopilo had an impressive weekend for the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Canucks.
The Abbotsford Canucks, American Hockey League affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, welcome the Manitoba Moose to town for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday and it's safe to say that it's a weekend Nikita Tolopilo won't forget for a very long time.
Nikita Tolopilo records back-to-back shutouts for Abbotsford Canucks
Nikita Tolopilo took to the crease for Friday night's game against Manitoba and didn't face too much offense from the Moose, as he stopped all 15 shots he faced for his second shutout of the 2024-25 season.
With Arturs Silovs called up on an emergency basis, the Abbotsford Canucks turned to Nikita Tolopilo again for his second start in as many days.
Saturday's game, the Belarusian netminder was bit busier, especially in the first two period, but he stood tall in between the pipes for Abbotsford.
As the final buzzer sounded on Saturday, Tolopilo stopped all 27 shots for his second shutout in less than 24 hours.
After a strong weekend in the AHL, Dave Hall named Nikita Tolopilo his first star in a recent article on Canucks Army.
"First Star: Nikita Tolopilo - With 42 saves and back-to-back shutouts, could we honestly choose anyone else? He wasn't challenged much on Saturday but made several big-time saves on Sunday to keep his team on top and the Moose well-outstanding. It's been an up-and-down season for the 24-year-old, but he has now rattled off four wins over his last five starts, with three shutouts sprinkled in."
Tolopilo, a native of Minsk, Belarus has appeared in 13 games for Abbotsford this season where he has a record of 7-6-0 along with a 2.64 goals against average, an .897 save percentage and three shutouts.
The Abbotsford Canucks have a pair of games this coming weekend against the Tucson Roadrunners before the AHL takes a break for Christmas. It's unclear if Arturs Silovs will be back in the AHL before the Christmas break or if it'll be Nikita Tolopilo's crease once again.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 16 | 272 ANSWERS Nikita Tolopilo Records Back-to-Back Shutouts in Big Weekend for Abbotsford Canucks Will Nikita Tolopilo make his NHL debut this season? | ||
| Yes | 49 | 18 % |
| No, maybe next season | 223 | 82 % |
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