Abbotsford Canucks Poised to Capture Calder Cup and Reignite Fan Optimism
Despite the turbulence surrounding the Vancouver Canucks this season, their AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, has continued to impress — and now stands just one victory away from capturing the Calder Cup. A win in Game 5 on Saturday at the Abbotsford Centre would clinch the championship on home ice, a feat that would bring renewed hope to fans disheartened by the NHL club’s struggles.
Following a 3–2 win over the Charlotte Checkers on Thursday night, Abbotsford holds a 3–1 lead in the best-of-seven AHL Finals. Head coach Manny Malhotra emphasized the team’s consistent focus and resilience:
“Our message doesn’t change. Win or lose, it’s about preparing for the next game and giving our best effort,” he said post-game.
The fanbase in Abbotsford has rallied around the team, with chants of “We want the Cup” echoing through the arena during the third period. Saturday’s game has already sold out via Ticketmaster, with standing-room tickets snapped up by Friday afternoon and resale platforms like StubHub still offering limited options. The match will be streamed on FloHockey, albeit behind a paywall.
This marks the closest any Vancouver affiliate has come to winning the AHL championship. The Utica Comets reached the finals in 2015 under then-coach Travis Green but fell short. Abbotsford had previously only advanced as far as the second round.
The atmosphere at the Abbotsford Centre has reached new heights, with Thursday’s attendance of 7,181 setting a record in the franchise’s four-year history. That’s a significant jump from their regular-season average crowd of 4,152. Malhotra has consistently praised the home crowd for energizing the players:
“We’ve talked all year about taking advantage of home ice. The crowd gives the guys a huge lift — it’s special to play here.”
Charlotte, affiliated with the Florida Panthers, finished the regular season with a slightly better record than Abbotsford and holds home-ice advantage. Should the Checkers win Saturday, the series shifts back to North Carolina for Games 6 and 7 next week.
Abbotsford’s success has been the result of strong team chemistry and key performances throughout the lineup, including standout goaltending from Artūrs Šilovs. Malhotra has been widely credited for fostering a cohesive and resilient squad, and his leadership is drawing increasing attention — possibly setting him up for an NHL head coaching opportunity in the future. Although Vancouver previously considered him for the top job, they ultimately appointed Adam Foote.
Team captain Chase Wouters stressed the importance of staying grounded:
“Enjoy the win, but it’s a new day tomorrow. Charlotte’s a tough opponent — we still have a lot to do.”
Winger Arshdeep Bains echoed that sentiment, noting the team’s ability to stay focused on the day-to-day process.
One of Thursday’s standout players was Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Vancouver’s top prospect and 2022 first-round pick. After being a healthy scratch for five games due to inconsistency, he returned to the lineup in Game 4 and scored twice.
“That’s who he is — calm under pressure,” Malhotra said. “He had two great chances and buried them.”
Malhotra also praised Lekkerimäki’s maturity in handling being sidelined, crediting open communication and the player’s adaptability.
The Checkers are aiming to help the Panthers make history. If Charlotte can rally and win the series, Florida could become the first NHL franchise since the 1995 New Jersey Devils and Albany River Rats to win both the Stanley Cup and Calder Cup in the same season.
