The Abbotsford Canucks are one win away from becoming the first Vancouver American Hockey League affiliate to win the Calder Cup.
They set themselves up to make history by holding on to a 3-2 victory at home on Thursday night in Game-4 against the Charlotte Checkers. A win on Saturday night means hoisting the AHL’s silver chalice, a loss means a trip back to North Carolina for Game-6 on Monday.
It was a nail biter for the final :27 seconds at the Abbotsford Centre on Thursday. Jonathan Lekkerimäki scored twice for the home club as the Canucks took a 3-0 lead early in the 3rd period. The Checkers snuck back in it, scoring their second goal with the extra attacker at the 19:33 mark. The home team held on.
Linus Karlsson tallied an assist; Arshdeep Bains a goal. Karlsson is first in Calder Cup playoff scoring with 11 goals and 23 points while Bains is 2nd with 20 points. Abbotsford has played more games, 22, than the rest of the teams, but obviously both have been consistent point-per-game threats.
In 2015 the Vancouver affiliate Utica Comets under head coach Travis Green lost the Calder Cup Final to the Manchester Monarchs in five games.
The AHL affiliate has continued to improve since moving to BC in 2021.
Saturday night they have a chance to reach the pinnacle under 1st-year head coach and former Vancouver center Manny Malhotra. The game can be heard in Vancouver on the NHL flagship station, AM-650, with puck drop a bit after 7 pm.
