Abbotsford Canucks take on Round 3 of the Calder Cup

Credit: @abbycanucks/x

May 16, 2025 marked the start of round 3 for the Abbotsford Canucks, who faced off in a best of 5 series against the Colorado Eagles. 

They played each other multiple times throughout the regular season remaining equally matched throughout. The winner of this round will move onto round 4 which is the final series.

This is the furthest that the Abbotsford Canucks have made it in the playoffs in franchise history. 

Artūrs Šilovs started in net, making this his eighth start of the playoffs. Defenseman Jett Woo returned to the lineup after exiting game 2 in the second round. 

The game started off with tensions and physicality high. Within the first 3 minutes of play, players had lost gloves, helmets and blades. 

Colorado took the first penalty of the game for tripping 5:40 into the first. Giving Abbotsford their first power play of the night, however, they were unable to capitalize making Colorado 1 for 1 on the penalty kill.

Tristen Nielsen took Abbotsford’s first penalty of the night for too many men on the ice with 2:47 left in the first. Putting Colorado on the power play.

The first period would end 0-0, with 13 seconds left in the Abbotsford penalty kill. 

Abbotsford would start the second period a man down, but they were able to hold off Colorado keeping the score 0-0. 

Dino Kambeitz took an interference penalty 3:04 into the second, putting Colorado back on the man advantage. Abbotsford would remain 2 for 2 on the penalty kill. 

Both teams continued to battle hard to open the scoring, leading tension and physicality to continue growing throughout the second period. 

Abbotsford had a number of scoring opportunities half way through the period, however, could not get the puck into the net. 

Colorado would take their second penalty of the night for slashing, putting Abbotsford on the man advantage. 

Ty Mueller scored a power play goal, opening the scoring for the game. This was his first playoff goal. Making the game 1-0 and shifting the atmosphere in the arena. 

The third period continued on the same trajectory of physicality. Both teams fought hard to drive the puck into the opposing end. 

A fight would break out leading to Linus Karlsson taking a penalty for roughing. Colorado also took a penalty for roughing with 10:01 left in the third. 

This put the game to 4-on-4, both teams were able to successfully kill their penalties. 

Karlsson took his second penalty of the night for roughing with 3:08 remaining. Giving Colorado a late power play in the third. 

Abbotsford successfully killed their fifth penalty of the night with just over a minute remaining. This would make them 5 for 5 on the penalty kill. 

Victor Mancini scored his first playoff goal on home ice on the empty net. Securing Abbotsford the 2-0 victory and the series lead going into game 2. 

Game 2 on home ice was sold out, which was a first for the Abbotsford Canucks. 

Colorado opened the scoring 1:57 into the first. Driving the tension and physicality between both teams even higher. 

Jonathan Lekkerimäki got the equalizing goal with 4:07 left in the first. This was his first goal of the playoffs. 

The first period would end 1-1, with no penalties in the first. 

Colorado took the first penalty of the night for boarding against Phillip Di Giuseppe. Putting Abbotsford on the power play, however, Colorado successfully killed the penalty. 

Abbotsford’s Nate Smith would take a hooking penalty, giving Colorado their first power play of the night. Abbotsford killed the penalty successfully, making them 1 for 1 on the penalty kill. 

Colorado got their second goal of the game with 6:30 remaining in the second. Putting the game 2-1 for Colorado. 

Colorado would take their second penalty of the night for high-sticking. Giving Abbotsford the man advantage with 6:11 left in the period. Colorado successfully killed their second penalty. 

Tension and physicality remained high, while Abbotsford had multiple attempts on net, but could not secure a goal. 

Colorado scored their third goal of the night with 1:54 remaining in the second, giving them a 3-1 lead going into the third. 

After the buzzer, tensions boiled over with multiple players from each team going at each other. This would lead to two double minors for Colorado and Abbotsford’s Sammy Blais for roughing. 

The third period started 5-on-5 while both teams served time for their double minors. 

Tristen Nielsen took Abbotsford’s second penalty of the night for tripping. Putting Colorado on the man advantage. 

Though Abbotsford successfully killed the penalty, Colorado would score their fourth goal of the game moments later. Putting the game at 4-1 for Colorado. 

Blais would take his second penalty of the night for roughing, giving Colorado their third man advantage of the night, Abbotsford kept their penalty kill 3 for 3 in the third.

Chase Wouters scored Abbotsford’s second goal of the night. This would be his second of the playoffs. 

After the goal a fight would break out in front of the Abbotsford net. 

Blais took his third penalty of the night and would be removed from the game with 7:37 remaining. His penalties were for unsportsmanlike misconduct and roughing. Colorado took a penalty for roughing. 

Abbotsford pulled Šilovs with 3:18 left in the third for the extra attacker. Colorado took advantage of the empty net securing a 5-2 lead with 3:04 remaining. 

Colorado took a late penalty with 2:43 left in the game for tripping. Giving Abbotsford the man advantage, which Linus Karlsson would take advantage of.

Karlsson’s goal came with 1:08 remaining, putting the game 5-3. This would be his third of the playoffs.

Abbotsford was unable to secure 2 more goals, leaving the game 5-3 for Colorado. 

The series is now tied 1-1 as Abbotsford heads to Colorado for the remaining games of this series.The next game will be played on May 21, 2025 at Blue Arena in Colorado.