Abbotsford Dominates Third Period, Overwhelms Charlotte in Game 3 of Calder Cup Finals
ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia – The Abbotsford Canucks staged a remarkable offensive outburst in the final period, netting five goals en route to a dominant 6-1 victory over the Charlotte Checkers on Tuesday night. The win, played in front of an energized home crowd at Abbotsford Centre, gave the Canucks a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven Calder Cup Finals.
Led by the impressive performances of Arshdeep Bains and Linus Karlsson, Abbotsford completely seized control of the game in the third period. Bains and Karlsson each racked up four points—Bains with two goals and two assists, Karlsson with one goal and three helpers. Their standout efforts helped shift momentum irreversibly in favor of the home side.
Goaltender Arturs Silovs was also a key figure in the win. Not only did he make 28 saves to backstop his team, but he also picked up an assist, contributing to the fast-paced offensive display by Abbotsford. With the victory, the Canucks are now just two wins away from their first Calder Cup championship, while the Checkers suffered their first road loss of the postseason, dropping to a 7-1 away record in the playoffs.
Charlotte’s lone goal came in the opening period when Oliver Okuliar redirected a shot from close range past Silovs at 8:22 to give the Checkers an early lead. However, the visitors couldn’t build on that momentum. Despite being competitive in the first two periods, they were completely overwhelmed in the third.
The game remained 1-0 until early in the second period. Abbotsford responded at 6:43 with a power-play goal from forward Sammy Blais. The play was initiated by Bains, who disrupted a Charlotte possession near the blue line. Blais capitalized by executing a slick move in close—faking to the backhand before sliding the puck in with a forehand deke, tying the game 1-1.
For the remainder of the second period, both teams had chances, but neither could break the deadlock. It wasn’t until the third that Abbotsford’s offense exploded, completely taking over the game and leaving Charlotte scrambling to keep up.
The go-ahead goal for the Canucks came just under four minutes into the third. While positioned on the right boards, Bains, even while falling to the ice, managed to send a pass to teammate Max Sasson. Sasson, recognizing an opportunity, drove toward the goal and delivered a crisp cross-ice feed to Karlsson. The Swedish forward wasted no time finishing the play, notching his league-leading 11th goal of the playoffs and giving Abbotsford its first lead of the game.
The Canucks capitalized again midway through the period, this time on a power play. At 11:43, Bains attempted a cross-ice pass to Karlsson near the back post. However, the puck took an unexpected bounce off a Charlotte defender’s skate and deflected into the net, giving Abbotsford a two-goal cushion. Though unintentional, the goal encapsulated the kind of night it was for the Canucks—where nearly everything went right.
Just under two minutes later, Abbotsford continued to pour it on. After collecting a long breakout pass from Silovs, Bains and Phillip Di Giuseppe raced up the ice on a 2-on-1. Di Giuseppe received the puck and rifled a shot high over the blocker of Charlotte netminder Kaapo Kahkonen to make it 4-1. Kahkonen, who faced 28 shots on the night, allowed five goals in total before being pulled late in the game.
Abbotsford wasn’t finished. With Charlotte’s net empty in a last-ditch effort to spark a comeback, Bains scored his second goal of the night at 17:10, further padding the lead. Moments later, just 24 seconds after Bains’ empty-net tally, Tristen Nielsen broke in alone and scored on a breakaway, sealing the 6-1 final.
Charlotte’s offense, which had been so effective throughout their playoff run, was held in check by the Canucks’ aggressive forecheck and disciplined defensive play. Okuliar’s early goal would be their only offensive highlight in a game where their power play went silent and their usually dependable transition game was stifled by Abbotsford’s speed and pressure.
For Abbotsford, the win marks a significant turning point in the series. With their home crowd behind them and momentum on their side, the Canucks now have the opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 series lead when they return to the ice for Game 4. That matchup is scheduled for Thursday night, also at Abbotsford Centre, with puck drop set for 10 p.m. ET.
Beyond the scoring outburst, Abbotsford’s overall team play stood out. Their ability to execute under pressure, combined with contributions from all lines, has made them a formidable opponent. Bains, in particular, has been a revelation throughout the playoffs, and Tuesday’s performance may stand as his signature game thus far.
While Charlotte will need to regroup quickly, the series is far from over. The Checkers have shown resilience throughout the postseason and will look to adjust their strategy and clean up defensive miscues in hopes of evening the series in Game 4.
With both teams aiming for the Calder Cup, Game 4 promises to be pivotal. Abbotsford has the chance to take a stranglehold on the series, while Charlotte faces a must-win to keep their championship hopes alive.
