Abbotsford Falls in OT to Checkers in Calder Cup Game 2

Troy Tyrell | WBN News – Sea To Sky | June 16, 2025 Founder of Tsquared Personal Training & WBN Contributor
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CHARLOTTE, NC — The Calder Cup Finals just got real.

The Charlotte Checkers battled through momentum shifts, power-play duels, and a sellout crowd of 8,689 fans to take Game 2 in overtime, topping the Abbotsford Canucks 3–2 and tying the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

But don’t let the scoreline fool you this one was packed with playoff drama, goalie heroics, and a little controversy to spice things up.

🎬 Fast Start, Furious Finish

If Game 1 was a double-overtime rollercoaster, Game 2 felt like a sprint to chaos.

Charlotte struck first just 3:13 into the opening period, with John Leonard tucking one past Arturs Šilovs, who was once again under siege all night. Abbotsford’s Sammy Blais answered 62 seconds later with a slick rebound to tie it up, but the Checkers didn’t wait long to respond Wilmer Skoog netted a power-play goal at 11:14 to make it 2–1 Charlotte.

Just when it looked like the Checkers might control the period, Linus Karlsson, Abbotsford’s playoff scoring machine, buried his 10th of the postseason at 17:38. Tie game again. All square after one.

The second and third periods became a showcase for two goalies on opposite ends of the workload spectrum.

🛑 Šilovs vs. The Barrage

Let’s get one thing clear Arturs Šilovs is him.

Despite facing 42 shots, the Latvian netminder turned away 39, including a flurry of high-danger chances and multiple late-period saves that left the Charlotte broadcast team gasping. Abbotsford was outshot 42–13 (yes, you read that right), and if not for Šilovs, this one would’ve ended in regulation—ugly.

On the other side, Kaapo Kähkönen (on assignment from the Florida Panthers) had a quiet but effective night. He only needed to make 11 saves, but a few key stops on Karlsson and Tristen Nielsen kept things from tipping back toward Abbotsford.

⚠️ OT Tension, Then Trouble

Overtime began with nerves, and ended with whistles. At 4:02 into OT, Mike Benning launched a clean shot from the high slot on a power play, assisted by Justin Sourdif. The puck went stick-side high, past Šilovs’ blocker and just like that, Charlotte took the game.

But the elephant in the room? The penalty that led to the OT winner had Abbotsford’s bench fuming. A borderline hooking call in extra time felt like playoff officiating at its worst or best, depending on your postal code.

🔎 Stats That Matter

Shots: Charlotte 42 – Abbotsford 13
Power Play: Charlotte 2-for-5, Abbotsford 1-for-3
Faceoffs: Even at 50%, but Charlotte dominated offensive zone time
Hits & Grit: Charlotte outhit Abbotsford 27–19

🧊 What’s Next?

The series now heads north, with Game 3 set for Thursday, June 19 at the Abbotsford Centre. If the Canucks want to flip the script, they’ll need more puck control, more zone time, and frankly more shots. Šilovs can’t stop them all. (Even if he tries.)

Abbotsford will also look to rally behind their BC fanbase and build momentum at home, where they’ve been electric all postseason.

🗣️ Troy’s Take:

Let’s be honest—this was a gut punch for Abbotsford. When your goalie is the best player on the ice, and you're still outshot 3-to-1, it’s time to go back to the whiteboard.

But this isn’t over. Not even close.

The Baby Canucks are battle-tested. They’ve got weapons, they’ve got depth, and they’ve got the best goalie left in the playoffs. Game 3 will be must-watch hockey.

By Troy Tyrell, Founder of Tsquared Personal Training
WBN Contributor | Community Builder | Mountain Biker | Advocate for Local Business & Fitness
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Troy Tyrell | WBN News – Sea To Sky Founder of Tsquared Personal Training & WBN Contributor
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