Florian Xhekaj’s 13-second winner lifts Laval to 4-3 road win

Florian Xhekaj’s net-front finish with 13 seconds left delivered a gut-punch ending at Rogers Arena and gave Laval a 4-3 victory over Abbotsford on Jan. 21. The late goal turned what had been a back-and-forth contest into a highlight-reel moment and underscored the value of traffic in front of the net late in close games.

Laurent Dauphin opened the scoring for Laval, setting the tone early before Abbotsford responded. Chase Wouters and Danila Klimovich put Abbotsford on the board, and Jonathan Lekkerimäki later tied the game for the home side. Laval’s final tally came from Xhekaj, whose opportunistic play in the slot converted a rebound into the decisive goal with time almost expired. The final score was 4-3 in favor of the Rocket.

Abbotsford goaltender Nikita Tolopilo finished with 26 saves, and the Canucks had three power-play opportunities, but they could not convert late when it mattered most. The game featured heavy physicality and a pair of fighting majors, elements that reflected both teams’ intensity and competing will to gain an edge in tight AHL matchups.

From a performance standpoint, Xhekaj’s late presence in front of the crease is a textbook example of finishing instincts translating into tangible outcomes. Dauphin’s early marker showed Laval’s ability to strike first, while Lekkerimäki, Wouters, and Klimovich kept Abbotsford within reach with timely scoring. Tolopilo’s 26 saves kept Abbotsford competitive, but Laval’s final push and net-front resilience proved decisive.

This result matters beyond the single-game box score. Late-game winners are momentum catalysts in the AHL, where player development, confidence and timing can shape call-ups and roster decisions. For Laval, a road victory secured by a clutch goal offers a psychological lift and validates strategies that emphasize net-front traffic and second-chance opportunities. For Abbotsford, the split of the weekend, with the Canucks winning the following night in overtime, suggests resilience but also highlights the fine margins that separate victory and defeat in professional development leagues.

Culturally, games like this reinforce why the AHL remains a proving ground for young talent and a place where hockey’s physical and emotional extremes play out. Fans who follow prospects see nightly lessons in situational hockey: how to win battles in the crease, how penalty kill and power-play execution can swing outcomes, and how goaltending performances like Tolopilo’s can keep clubs alive.

For supporters, the immediate takeaway is clear: Laval leaves Abbotsford with a dramatic win that could reverberate in team confidence and roster decisions, while Abbotsford’s quick rebound the next night shows neither side will surrender ground easily. The weekend split sets up an intriguing next chapter for both clubs as they continue to jockey for position and development opportunities in the AHL.