The Abbotsford Canucks are one win away from winning the 2025 Calder Cup. The Canucks lead the American Hockey League Championship three games to one after their 3-2 win over the Charlotte Checkers on Thursday. The Abbotsford Canucks are the top minor league affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks. The Checkers are the top minor league affiliate of the 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
Centre Ty Mueller of Edmonton, Alberta led the Canucks with two points as he had two assists. He was tied with right winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki, who had two goals. The other Canucks goal scorer was left winger Arshdeep Bains of Surrey, British Columbia.
The Canucks actually jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the third period before the Checkers bounced back with two goals. Abbotsford won despite being outshot 34-23.
Game five of the best out of seven series is on Saturday night from the Abbotsford Centre in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The series will then shift to North Carolina if the Checkers win game five.
The Canucks are coached by former National Hockey League centre Manny Malhotra of Mississauga, Ontario. Do not be surprised if the Dallas Stars give Malhotra consideration as their next head coach as Malhotra played three seasons for the Stars in the early 2000’s.