The Abbotsford Canucks are heading back to the Abbotsford Centre with their Calder Cup Finals series against the Charlotte Checkers tied at 1–1. They dropped Game 2 at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, surrendering the game-winning tally in overtime less than five minutes into the game. With a dull effort of only 13 shots throughout the entire game, Abbotsford would likely have lost more dramatically had it not been for the work of Artūrs Šilovs. Here’s a look at some of the standouts from this game.
Artūrs Šilovs
There’s no question that Šilovs was the AHL Canucks’ top performer in Game 2. He made 39 total saves throughout both regulation and overtime, but ultimately couldn’t stop the game-winning goal scored by Michael Benning (yes, related to that Benning). Still, in a game that saw Abbotsford fail to register quality chances on Charlotte goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen, Šilovs was the sole reason as to why the AHL Canucks went to overtime in the first place. He went 52:08 straight minutes without allowing a goal, keeping Abbotsford’s net free of pucks throughout more than two full periods. While Šilovs' play has been remarkable throughout the playoffs, the AHL Canucks will need to generate more chances on their own in order to earn their wins instead of relying on their goaltender so heavily.
Linus Karlsson
Karlsson was one of Abbotsford’s two goal scorers during Sunday’s effort, tallying his 10th of the playoffs and tying an AHL record for goals scored in the Calder Cup Playoffs by a Swedish player. With at least three games remaining in this series, Karlsson setting a new league record is very possible. His 10th goal of the postseason makes him the sole leader in goals scored throughout the entire Calder Cup Playoffs, as he had previously been tied with Texas Stars forward Justin Hryckowian with nine. This was also his fourth power-play goal of the postseason, which matches Hryckowian’s current lead. Karlsson, who is Abbotsford’s goal-scoring leader, has been an offensive force throughout the Calder Cup Playoffs.
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Sammy Blais
One of Abbotsford’s most noticeable players in the Calder Cup Finals so far has been Blais, who factored in on both of the AHL Canucks’ goals in Game 2. He scored Abbotsford’s first goal and had the primary assist on Karlsson’s game-tying tally. With Sunday’s efforts, he has a goal and three assists in the past two games. While he has stood out in previous series’ for his physicality and mean presence on the ice, against the Checkers, Blais has also upped his offensive game. His efforts in Game 1 and Game 2 have brought his point totals up to 16, tying him with Matěj Blümel for third in the playoffs.
2025 Calder Cup Final Schedule
Game 1: Abbotsford 4, Charlotte 3 (2OT)
Game 2: Charlotte 3, Abbotsford 2 (OT)
Game 3: Tuesday, June 17 @ Abbotsford, 7:00 pm PT
Game 4: Thursday, June 19 @ Abbotsford, 7:00 pm PT
Game 5: Saturday, June 21 @ Abbotsford, 6:00 pm PT
*Game 6: Monday, June 23 @ Charlotte, 4:00 pm PT
*Game 7: Wednesday, June 25 @ Charlotte, 4:00 pm PT
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