Abbotsford Canucks fall short in game 5 OT against Charlotte Checkers

ABBOTSFORD CANUCKS/ X

June 21, 2025 marked game 5 of the Calder Cup Finals between the Abbotsford Canucks and the Charlotte Checkers. 

Abbotsford entered into game 5 with a 3-1 series lead over Charlotte, but the battle was not over yet. Abbotsford looked to end the series, while Charlotte looked to push to game 6. 

Both teams came out playing hard, looking to open the scoring. 

A number of fanned passes and missed shots led to missed opportunities for Abbotsford to open the scoring. 

Charlotte’s Ben Steeves opened the scoring at 12:55. Making the score 1-0 for Charlotte. 

Moments later Jesse Pulujärvi took a penalty for tripping at 13:26 putting Abbotsford on the power play. 

Charlotte’s Rasmus Asplund took a second penalty for roughing at 14:42. Putting the game 3-on-5 for 44 seconds.

Linus Karlsson capitalized on the man advantage scoring a power play goal at 15:04. His twelfth of the playoffs, and the equalizing goal of the game. 

Abbotsford would remain on the man advantage for just over a minute. However, Charlotte was able to hold them off  to keep the game 1-1. 

The tensions and physicality were high between both teams as they drove the puck into the opposing zones. Both battled hard looking to pull ahead. 

Sammy Blais took a penalty for roughing at the end of the first to put Charlotte on the man advantage to start the second. 

The first period would end 1-1. 

Blais started the second in the penalty box, putting Charlotte on the power play. Abbotsford successfully killed the penalty, keeping the score 1-1. 

 As the battle for the tie breaking goal continued, Charlotte’s Brett Chorske broke the tie at 3:12 in the second, making the game 2-1 for Charlotte. 

Christian Wolanin and Charlotte’s Wilmer Skoog took penalties for roughing at 3:40. 

Arshdeep Bains scored the equalizer at 3:53 on the 4-on-4. Karlsson scored his second goal of the night moments later at 5:11 making the game 3-2 Abbotsford. 

The battle continued, both teams using their bodies to block shots and keep the puck in their zone. 

Ty Mueller took a penalty for interference at 10:52, giving Charlotte the man advantage. Charlotte’s Rasmus Asplund scored the tying goal on the power play, making the game 3-3. 

The second period would end 3-3. 

Both teams came out battling hard in the third, looking to score the leading goal. 

With over half of the third period gone the score remained 3-3. With strong defensive plays from both sides. 

Through it all neither team was able to secure a goal in the third, pushing the game to sudden death overtime. 

Overtime started hard, both teams getting shots on net. Abbotsford had a number of opportunities, but could not secure the win. 

Charlotte’s Puljujävi scored the winning goal at 15:22 in overtime, ending the game 4-3 for Charlotte. Making the series 3-2, forcing the series to game 6 in Charlotte. 

Abbotsford will face off against Charlotte in game 6, on Monday June 23, 2025 down in Charlotte at Bojangles Coliseum.