In a thrilling showdown on Monday night, the Abbotsford Canucks clinched their first-ever Calder Cup championship with a 3-2 victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The game’s hero, Linus Karlsson, scored the tiebreaking goal late in the second period, cementing his place in Canucks' history.

Key Moments

• Sammy Blais and Danila Klimovich also contributed crucial goals for the Canucks.
• Arshdeep Bains provided two assists, showcasing his playmaking skills.
• Goaltender Arturs Silovs made 28 saves, including several critical stops in the final minutes.

Historic Achievement

Abbotsford becomes Vancouver's first AHL affiliate to win the Calder Cup and the first Canadian team to do so since the Toronto Marlies in 2018.

Game Recap

The Checkers started strong with goals from John Leonard and Jack Devine in the first period. However, the Canucks rallied with three unanswered goals, including Karlsson’s winner with just 2:41 left in the second period.

Special Teams

• Abbotsford capitalized on one of their two power-play opportunities.
• Charlotte struggled, going 0-for-4 on the power play.

Crowd Support

The Canucks’ journey to the championship was fueled by immense fan support, especially during Game 5, which saw the largest crowd ever at the Abbotsford Centre.

This victory not only marks a significant milestone for the Abbotsford Canucks but also sets the stage for future successes in the AHL.