The Abbotsford Canucks are now one win away from capturing the Calder Cup – yes, you read that correctly.
A record breaking crowd of 7,181 inside the Abbotsford Centre was a non-stop (Arty) party for basically the entire game, and the good times started early when Jonathan Lekkerimaki was set-up perfectly by Max Sasson and ripped a laser past Checkers goalie Kaapo Kahkonen just 1:15 into the game.
Jonathan Lekkerimäki puts the Canucks up early 🎯@abbycanucks | @Canucks | @CanucksArmy#AHL #CalderCup #ProudlyAbbotsford #Canucks pic.twitter.com/Uj097nZWAM
— FloHockey (@FloHockey) June 20, 2025
The Canucks got into a bit of penalty trouble, giving Charlotte three power plays, but the Abbotsford penalty kill stood tall. The first period ended with the Checkers holding a 10-6 shots advantage, but the Canucks had the better quality chances and more pressure in the offensive zone.
The AC then lit up when Arshdeep Bains deked around Checkers defenceman Matt Kiersted and fooled Kahkone through the five-hole at 11:30. Bains has six goals in his last six playoff games and has truly caught fire in the Calder Cup Finals six points in the series. Both teams had eight shots in the middle frame.
BAINS GOES 🖐️ HOLE! pic.twitter.com/WqKGhY5v3T
— X - Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) June 20, 2025
Lekkerimaki again dazzled early in the third period when Sammy Blais transformed from pest into playmaker and found the rookie wide open. After a rough start to the postseason production wise, the 2021 first round pick now has a respectable seven points in 14 games.
WHO OTHER THAN LEKKI... AGAIN 🔁 pic.twitter.com/OuyJg65CwF
— X - Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) June 20, 2025
Charlotte made a late push, as Kyle Criscuolo broke the shutout bid of Canucks goalie Arturs Silovs with a power play goal at 8:34 of the third. The Checkers continued attacking and Jack Devine added goal at 19:33 with Kahkonen on the bench. Charlotte ended up out shooting Abbotsford 16-9 in the period and 34-23 in the game.
The 3-2 win puts Abbotsford up 3-1 in the best-of-seven series and the Canucks have the opportunity win the AHL's Calder Cup on home ice on Saturday (June 21).
Now THIS is an entrance @abbycanucks #canucks
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) June 20, 2025
Game four #CalderCup Finals starts soon pic.twitter.com/zqQ5O6662u
Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra said he felt like his team's commitment to win has been a reason why they're up 3-1 in the series.
"They're willing to do anything to win at this point, which is what we need," he said. "That was on full display – laying out, blocking shots with any body part they can – they're willing to do all these things to win."
Malhotra praised the play of Lekkerimaki and noted his ability to bury the chances he got tonight.
"To me that sums up Lekky," he said. "He's got ice water in his veins and he doesn't shy away from these big moments. Tonight he had two quality looks and that sums up the type of player he is when given the right opportunity and put in the right spot."
He added that, despite being one win away from a league title, what he tells the players will not change.
"The message never changes for us, whether we win or lose," he said. "It's all about the next game and that's where our focus is going to lie. It's about bringing our best effort to the next game."
That next game is one that Checkers coach Geordie Kinnear hopes takes place inside the iconic Bojangles Coliseum. He said critical mistakes cost his team game four.
"I liked a lot about the game, minus the big mistakes we had," he said. "A couple of two-on-one's that we gave up and they executed on – but for me it was an overall better game for our group – but just too many mistakes cost us."
He said Silovs made some big saves for the Canucks and those stops likely decided the game. He said it was a better effort than game three and that is something to build on.
"There was a little less frustration than last game," he said. "It felt like we never really settled into that game, but I felt we did tonight. You just can't give a really good hockey team those types of odd man rushes and make those mistakes. We want to continue to build and win that next game."
Canucks captain Chase Wouters said it's a nice win, but the job is not completed.
"Enjoy this tonight but tomorrow's a new day," he said. "We've got to flip the page. They're a really good team over there and it's going to be a tall task for that next game. There's still a lot of work left to do."
Wouters added that he feels the team has managed to play a full 60 minutes the last two games and all four lines have contributed.
"This time of year it's all about doing anything to win and doing anything for your teammates," he said. "That's something we take a lot of pride of in this room. And I'm proud of everyone in there."
“We’re doing a good job at taking it one day at a time and I think tomorrow we’ll forget about and just get ready for the next one.”
— X - Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) June 20, 2025
Abbotsford Canucks Host Celine Trimarchi talked to Arshdeep Bains following tonight’s 3-2 win! pic.twitter.com/dMe7qhcQfa
Lekkerimaki and Ty Mueller had two point nights for Abbotsford and Lekkerimaki also led the Canucks with four shots on goal. Jett Woo, Lekkerimaki, Mueller and Christian Wolanin all finished at a +2. Silovs had another strong night with 32 saves to earn his 15th win. He now has one more win in the playoffs than he had in the AHL regular season.
Game five is set for Saturday (June 21) at 6 p.m. An Abbotsford win and the team will be handed the Calder Cup trophy. That would mark the first time a Vancouver Canucks affiliate has ever won the Calder Cup.
It would also be the first time a major professional hockey team from B.C. won a championship since the Victoria Cougars won the Stanley Cup in 1925. The Cougars eliminated the Montreal Canadiens 3-1 led by coach Lester Patrick in that series. Victoria won the Stanley Cup on home ice inside the Patrick Arena on March 30, 1925.
Continue visiting abbynews.com for ongoing coverage of the Calder Cup Finals.
