WBN NEWS | Calder Cup Finals
Abbotsford Centre, BC
By Troy Tyrell | WBN News Vancouver | June 21, 2025
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The Calder Cup was in the building, but it’s staying boxed up for now. The Charlotte Checkers crashed the Abbotsford Canucks’ potential championship party with a gritty 4–3 overtime win on Saturday night. The Checkers staved off elimination and cut Abbotsford’s series lead to 3–2, pushing the Finals back to Charlotte for Game 6.

Fans in Abbotsford were ready to celebrate history. What they got instead was a back-and-forth thriller, complete with disallowed goals, breakaway chances, and an overtime heartbreaker that now puts pressure back on the Canucks.

Charlotte starts fast, Abbotsford answers back

The game opened with an early surge from the Checkers, who scored twice in the first ten minutes. Goals from Ben Steeves and Brett Chorske quieted the Abbotsford Centre, but the silence didn’t last long. Linus Karlsson responded with two key goals to even the score, including one set up beautifully by Ty Mueller and Jett Woo.

Abbotsford took the lead in the second period thanks to Arshdeep Bains, who buried a rebound during a power play. With the building rocking and Abbotsford carrying the momentum, it felt like the Cup was within reach.

But Charlotte had other plans. Logan Hutsko tied the game late in the third period with a quick wrister, sending the game to overtime and setting the stage for late-night drama.

Controversy and chaos in overtime

Just minutes into overtime, Abbotsford appeared to score the winning goal. Players threw their arms up, the horn blasted, and even the trophy crew looked ready to roll. But after a long review, officials ruled the puck had been kicked in and disallowed the goal.

That deflation was all Charlotte needed. Jesse Puljujarvi fired a low shot that ricocheted off two Abbotsford skaters and slid past Arturs Silovs. Just like that, the Checkers extended their season and stunned the home crowd.

Silovs shines but can't steal it

Abbotsford goaltender Arturs Silovs did everything he could to hold the Canucks in the game. He made 36 saves, several of them highlight-worthy. Despite the loss, his performance once again gave Abbotsford a fighting chance.

Kaapo Kahkonen matched him at the other end for Charlotte, stopping 29 shots and denying a key penalty shot in the second period that could have changed the momentum.

Looking ahead to Game 6

The series now shifts back to Charlotte’s Bojangles Coliseum for Game 6. Abbotsford still holds a 3–2 lead and a chance to clinch, but the emotional weight of Saturday’s missed opportunity could linger.

Charlotte will be flying high on confidence, hoping to force a decisive Game 7. Abbotsford, meanwhile, must regroup and remind themselves that they’ve been the better team across most of the series.

Final word

Abbotsford had one hand on the Calder Cup. Now they’ll need both. This wasn’t just a loss; it was a gut check. Charlotte reminded everyone that championship hockey is never easy. The Canucks still control the series, but they no longer control the mood. The Cup is still in play, but it’s no longer within reach. Not yet.

Next Game – Game 6
Charlotte Checkers vs. Abbotsford Canucks
Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, NC
Monday, June 23 at 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT

By Troy Tyrell, Founder of Tsquared Personal Training
WBN Contributor | Community Builder | Mountain Biker | Advocate for Local Business & Fitness
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TAGS: #Abbotsford Canucks #Calder Cup Final #AHL Playoffs #Overtime Hockey #Charlotte Checkers #BC Proud #Troy Tyrell #WBN News Vancouver

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