The Abbotsford Pilots have a seven point cushion on their nearest rivals, the Aldergrove Kodiaks, after splitting a pair of games last weekend in the Pacific Junior Hockey League.

The Pilots posted a 5-2 win over the North Vancouver Wolf Pack on Friday at home, then lost 3-2 to Grandview Steelers on Sunday.

With a record of 12-6-0-2 in 20 games, the Pilots currently top the Harold Brittain Conference with 26 points.

In a rough and tumble contest Friday before hometown fans, it was all Pilots in the first period with goals coming from Devon Allenby, Joel Atkinson and Justin Klimek.

The Wolf Pack got on the scoreboard with the only goal in the second. Brady Lawlor hit the net 40 seconds into the third period to give the Pilots a 4-0 advantage, before Adam Rossi sealed the deal with a late goal to make the final score 5-2. Netminder Aaron Oakley was again superb, stopping 17 of 19 shots on goal.

In Sunday's game at the Burnaby Winter Club, the Rossi and Allenby scored for the Pilots before the Steelers took the lead in the third period and held on for the win.

The Pilots out shot the Steelers 24-22 and were 1-for-6 on the power play.

The Pilots face off tonight against the Mission City Outlaws at 7: 15 p.m. at the Mission Leisure Centre, before returning home to MSA Arena Friday to battle the Ridge Meadows Flames. Puck drops at 7: 30 p.m.

-Jean Konda-Witte, Times