With a 3-2 win over the Laval Rocket on Tuesday the Charlotte Checkers have swept the Eastern Conference Finals and advanced to the 2025 Calder Cup Finals.
The Checkers went the distance in the Atlantic Division Semifinals, defeating the Providence Bruins in five games, allowing just eight shots in game five. They went on to sweep the two-time defending Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears in three games and the AHL's Macgregor Kilpatrick winning team Laval in four games.
Charlotte were awarded the Richard F. Canning Trophy as Eastern Conference Champions.
John Leonard scored three goals and four points in the sweep, two of the goals were shorthanded. Sandis Vilmanis and Jess Puljujarvi each had four points in the series, with Puljujarvi scoring the series clinching goal.
The Checkers defensive play and goaltending continued to shine allowing just six goals in the series and no more than two goals in one game.
Kaapo Kahkonen continued his strong play with a .942 SP in the series and is up to a 10-2 record with a .927 SP and 1.73 GAA in the playoffs.
Charlotte have dominated the playoffs this for despite the fact their powerplay is clicking at just 7% (3/43). Their penalty kill has been great at 90% and they have scored six shorthanded goals.
Laval top line center Laurent Dauphin suffered an injury in game two and defenseman Gustav Lindstrom was injured in game four in what were huge losses for the Rocket.
The team had difficulties producing offense, top scorer heading into the series Alex Barre-Boulet only recorded one assist in the series while Sean Farrell and Joshua Roy each had two points.
Jacob Fowler came on in relief in games two and three before earning his first start in game four, both he and Cayden Primeau did not have their strongest showings in the series.
The Checkers will have a nice break as they await their opponent. The Western Conference Finals is currently 2-1 in favor of the Abbotsford Canucks against the Texas Stars.
Keep an eye on the Florida Panthers team site for more updates on the Checkers.
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Photo Credit: © Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images