Canucks beat Checkers 3-2 to win first Calder Cup

By Canadian Press on June 23, 2025.

CHARLOTTE — The Abbotsford Canucks are Calder Cup champions.

After spotting the host Charlotte Checkers the first two goals on Monday night at Bojangles Coliseum, the Canucks roared back with three unanswered goals, including the winner from Linus Karlsson at 17:19 of the second period.

Sammy Blais and Danila Klimovich also scored for the Canucks, who were outshot 30-20 but received another quality performance from netminder Arturs Silovs. Arshdeep Bains had two assists for Abbotsford.

John Leonard and Jack Devine scored first-period goals for the Checkers, who lost the best-of-seven American Hockey League championship series in six games. The Checkers won the Memorial Cup in 2018-19.

The Checkers led 2-1 after the first period but trailed 3-2 heading into the third.

Abbotsford went 1-for-2 on the power play, while Charlotte went 0-for-4.

The Canucks lost Game 5 in overtime on Saturday in front of the largest crowd to ever witness an AHL game at the Abbotsford Centre in B.C.’s Lower Mainland.

The Canucks become the first Canadian team to win the Calder Cup since the Toronto Marlies did it in 2017-18.