Abbotsford Canucks Edge Charlotte Checkers 4–3 in Double Overtime Thriller, Faceoff Drama Steals Spotlight

By Troy Tyrell, Founder of Tsquared Personal Training & WBN Contributor
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Charlotte, NC — June 14, 2025

The 2025 Calder Cup Finals opened with all the drama, grit, and nail-biting excitement fans hope for in playoff hockey. The Abbotsford Canucks, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, pulled off a heart-stopping 4–3 victory in double overtime against the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers, Friday night. This win clinched the crucial first game of the series on the road.

But the story wasn’t just about the goals. A controversial disallowed goal, a chaotic faceoff sequence, and stellar goaltending added layers of tension and excitement that had fans on the edge of their seats or screaming at their TVs.

The Battle Begins: Early Fireworks

Abbotsford set the tone early with Max Sasson scoring a gritty power-play goal in the first period, capitalizing on a rebound from Sammy Blais. The Baby Canucks showed no signs of nerves, attacking with precision and pace.

Charlotte responded quickly. In a dramatic finish to the first period, Oliver Okuliar scored just before the horn, sending the teams to the locker room tied 1–1 and injecting early energy into the crowd.

The second period saw the Checkers gain a slight edge when Justin Sourdif put them ahead, but Nils Höglander answered back for Abbotsford with a clutch goal, leveling the score at 2–2. The see-saw battle continued to intensify, with both teams showcasing physical play, smart defensive work, and relentless effort.

The Drama: Disallowed Goal and Faceoff Controversy

The overtime periods produced some of the most dramatic hockey you’ll see anywhere.

Around the 12-minute mark of the first overtime, a chaotic moment unfolded that had fans holding their breath. Charlotte’s Mackie Samoskevich appeared to bury the game-winning goal after a scrappy battle in front of Abbotsford netminder Arturs Šilovs. The horn blared and fans exploded in celebration, only for the referee to call for a video review.

The officials ruled the play offside, wiping the goal from the scoreboard. The stunned silence from the arena was palpable, and the tension ratcheted up even more.

Shortly after, a controversial faceoff sequence added to the suspense. On a critical draw, the puck was dropped before Šilovs had fully settled in the crease, his headgear wasn’t properly in place, and he was turned away.

Abbotsford’s center Brad Mueller pounced, winning the draw and quickly scoring. The crowd roared, but after a lengthy video review, the goal was ruled offside and disallowed. This moment became a flashpoint for debate on social media and in the arena, a heartbreaker for Charlotte and a controversial reprieve for Abbotsford.

Goaltending Steals the Show

Throughout the night, Arturs Šilovs was rock-solid in the net for Abbotsford, making 28 saves on 31 shots. His calm, athletic presence kept the Canucks in the game through tense moments, including multiple power plays and breakaway chances from Charlotte.

On the other side, Charlotte’s Kaapo Kahkonen was equally impressive, denying several dangerous opportunities and standing tall under heavy pressure.

The Clutch Finish: Klimovich’s Game-Winner

The game looked destined for a stalemate until Danila Klimovich stepped up to etch his name in the playoffs history book. At 9:35 of the second overtime, Klimovich unleashed a laser of a wrist shot that found the back of the net, stunning the home crowd and sending the Canucks bench into jubilation.

His goal ended the marathon match, giving Abbotsford a crucial 1–0 lead in the best-of-seven Calder Cup Finals.

What This Means for the Series

This early victory gives Abbotsford momentum as the teams shift the series back to British Columbia for Game 2. The Canucks showed resilience, grit, and composure, traits essential for a deep playoff run.

Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Charlotte, backed by the Panthers’ NHL talent pipeline, responds after the heartbreaker and what adjustments both teams make moving forward.

Troy’s Take: Character and Clutch Moments

This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. The Baby Canucks aren’t just here to compete; they’re here to win. After surviving the rollercoaster of disallowed goals and faceoff drama, Abbotsford’s players doubled down on effort and delivered when it mattered most.

Goaltender Šilovs played like a wall, Klimovich emerged as a playoff hero, and the entire team showed that they can handle high-pressure moments.

For fans in BC, the Calder Cup finals just got a lot more exciting, and they should buckle up. This series promises plenty more drama, intensity, and hockey magic.

By Troy Tyrell, Founder of Tsquared Personal Training
WBN Contributor | Canucks Fan | Mountain Biker | Advocate for Local Business & Fitness
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