May 7, 2025 - Abbotsford Centre – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada- The Abbotsford Canucks are set to host Pacific Northwest rivals, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, in a pivotal Game 3 of Round 2 in the AHL's Calder Cup Playoffs. Abbotsford is chasing its first Division Final appearance since relocating in 2021, while the Firebirds — led by Head Coach Derek Laxdal — are gunning for a third consecutive trip to the Calder Cup Final.
Stock Photo by Candace Kludt | The Hockey NewsProjected Lines For Tonight!
@FirebirdsFIREBIRDS STARTING LINEUP
@CVF1st Period:
Scoreless after 8 minutes of play. Firebirds kill a power play after Ville Ottavainen is called for slashing. Ottavainen was drafted by the Seattle Kraken in 2021, Round: 4 (#99).
Penalty called on Vancouver’s Victor Mancini for cross checking on Logan Morrison resulting in several shots on Artūrs Šilovs, but no goal. Firebirds are 0-2 on PP approaching the 9 minute mark.
Firebirds are showing great physicality and leading with 8 shots on goal. Vancouver get their first shot and first goal by Nate Smith, his second goal of the playoffs.
Nate Smith photo by Candace Kludt | The Hockey NewsA late goal by Vancouver’s Kirill Kudryavtsev stuns Firebirds’ Nikke Kokko giving the Canucks a 2-0 lead with 23 seconds late on the clock. This is Kudryavtsev’s first career playoff goal.
Kirill Kudryavtsev photo by Candace Kludt | The Hockey NewsAt the end of the first Coachella has 12 shots on goal, Abbotsford 5.
@Candace Kludt | The Hockey News2nd Period:
Canucks turned up the pressure on Kokko coming off the first intermission break. Cole McWard gets a little too aggressive with Jacob Melanson resulting in a holding penalty giving the Firebirds the chance at a power play goal. The ‘Birds tally 2 shots, but no points.
Kokko, making his fifth start of the season, looked a bit shaky at first, but settled in during the middle frame. With 6:38 to go it’s still scoreless with Canucks not connecting to the back of the net. 17-13 Firebirds- with shots on goal.
Ville Ottavainen picked up his second penalty of the night for high-sticking, but the Firebirds held off the Canucks.
Tempers flare between Nate Smith and Ryan Winterton who get in a scuffle behind Vancouver’s net, but no penalties called on either player. With time running out the Firebirds pepper Silovs who stood firm in the crease. The period ends 2-0 Vancouver.
@Canduce Kludt | The Hockey News3rd Period:
Ryan Winterton scores his second goal of the series at 16:36 putting one the board for the Firebirds.
Kokko briefly loses his stick amid heavy traffic, but holds firm until a glove save stops play.
Some pushing and shoving as both teams feel the pressure to score in this crucial Game 3.
Tye Mueller makes a break down center ice, but his play is broken up by Kokko and Luke Henman who is charged with hooking creating the power play for Vancouver with 4:49 left on the clock.
The Firebirds are struggling to connect under relentless pressure from the Canucks. A miscommunication sees Kokko race to the bench for the extra attacker, but the Canucks pounce on the mistake and bury the empty-net goal by Phillip DiGiuseppe.
A late rush by the Firebirds yields nothing as the Canucks defeat the Firebirds 3-1 and take the lead in the series. The Canucks are one win away from heading to the finals to face the Colorado Eagles.
Final shots on goal : CV 26 / ABB 23
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Games Remaining (Best-of-Five Series):
- Friday, May 9: CV at Abbotsford (7:00 p.m. PT)
- *Sunday, May 11 (if necessary): CV at Abbotsford (7:00 p.m. PT)
Puck Drop: 7PM PST
Broadcast Info: FloHockey.tv, Stanza
Series Recap & Milestones — Firebirds:
- This is the first-ever postseason meeting between Coachella Valley and Abbotsford.
- The Firebirds (the AHL affiliate of the Seattle Kraken) took the first three regular-season matchups, while the Canucks won the finale.
- John Hayden was a standout in the team's Calgary series, logging heavy minutes, scoring twice, and leading with grit.
- Former Cup-winner Mitchell Stephens added three goals, including the Game 2 winner.
- Rookie goaltender Nikke Kokko starred with 36 saves in Game 1 and a 23-save shutout in Game 2 — his first of the season.
Players to Watch — Firebirds:
- Jani Nyman ranks 4th in power-play goals (9 in 58 games played).
- Ty Nelson ranks 5th in total shots with 147 (in 72 games played).
Series Recap & Milestones — Canucks:
- Abbotsford, the AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, finished second in both the Pacific Division and Western Conference with 92 points.
- The Canucks scored 241 goals (4th in the AHL) and allowed 204 (10th in the league).
- Arshdeep Bains led the team with 43 AHL points and also appeared in 13 NHL games.
- Sammy Blais added 40 points in 51 games and scored in every game of the Tucson series, netting three goals.
- Right winger Danila Klimovich completed his fourth season in Abbotsford as the team’s leading goal scorer (25). At just 22, he already has 89 career AHL points.
- In goal, Arturs Silovs posted a 14–5–1 record with a 2.41 GAA in 21 AHL games, along with 10 NHL appearances (2–6–1) with Vancouver.
Players to Watch — Canucks:
- Christian Wolanin ranks 15th among the AHL's top 20 defensemen with 40 points in 58 games (4G/36A).
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