Road to the Calder Cup

Credit: Abbotsford Canucks/x

April 23, 2025 the Abbotsford Canucks kicked off back to back games in their race towards the Calder Cup. They faced off against the Tuscon Roadrunners in a best of 3 on home ice. 

This past season, 16 Abbotsford players were called up to play in Vancouver. Most of these players have since been welcomed back to Abbotsford for the playoffs. 

Some notable returning players are; Linus Karlsson, Victor Mancini, Aatu Räty, Max Sasson, and Jonathan Lekkermäki, who made their mark in Vancouver this season. 

The Abbotsford Canucks had their best season in franchise history, finishing second in the Pacific Division. 

The opening game would be Chase Wouters fifteenth game in the Calder Cup playoffs. This is the most games played by any Abbotsford Canuck. 

Artūrs Šilovs made his third game appearance in the Calder Cup playoffs. He is currently 50/50 for wins and losses in his last two appearances during the playoffs. 

Linus Karlsson took the first penalty of the game with a high stick, putting Tuscon on the power play. With just under a minute left in the Abbotsford penalty, Tucson took their first penalty of the game for too many men on the ice. For 50 seconds both teams played 4-on-4.  

Both teams were able to successfully kill of their penalties. Starting the game off strong in defensive plays. 

Abbotsford opened the scoring in the first, with Tristen Nielsen scoring his first goal of the playoffs and the first goal of the playoffs overall. 

Aatu Räty took the second penalty of the game for slashing. Giving Tucson the opportunity to tie the game on the man advantage. 

Abbotsford, however, was able to successfully kill the penalty. Leaving them 2 for 2 on the penalty kill in the first. This also left both teams pointless during their power plays. 

Tucson scored their first goal on the game with 1:38 left in the first. Tying the game 1-1. 

Tension and physicality began to amp up, as both teams looked to secure the lead before heading into the second. Both Abbotsford and Tuscon took penalties with 1:13 left in the first. Tucson for cross-checking, and Arshdeep Bains for roughing.  

The second period would start 4-on-4 for 47 seconds. Again, both teams were able to successfully kill off their penalties. 

Tucson took the first penalty of the period for hooking. Giving Abbotsford the man advantage. With 5 seconds left on the power play Sammy Blais scored his first goal of the play offs. Giving Abbotsford a 2-1 lead. 

Tucson took a second penalty within the first 5 minutes of the second for holding the stick. Putting Abbotsford back on the power play. Tucson was able to successfully fend off Abbotsford keeping the game 2-1. 

Tucson pulled their goalie with 9:04 left in the second. However, in the same moment Abbotsford took their fourth penalty of the night. 

Räty got 2 minutes for slashing, but Abbotsford continued strong on their penalty kill and no goals were allowed in. 

Abbotsford scored their third goal of the night, with Linus Karlsson scoring his first goal of the playoffs. Putting his playoff goals to 4 in 13 games played. 

Tuscon took their fifth penalty of the game for boarding making it a 5 minute major. Giving Abbotsford their fifth power play of the night. Abbotsford was able to capitalize on the man advantage giving them a 4-1 lead. This was Sammy Blais second of the night. 

Tucson scored a short handed goal, during the major penalty kill, making the score 4-2 with 1:55 left in the second. 

Abbotsford started the third with 16 seconds left on the power play. During the major both teams had scored, making it a successful 5 minutes for both. 

Tucson got their third goal of the game making it 4-3 with 12:31 remaining in the third. 

Moments after their goal Tucson took their sixth penalty of the night for roughing. Abbotsford was unable to capitalize on the man advantage, leaving them 2 for 6 on the power play. 

With just over a minute and a half left in the third Tucson pulled their goalie hoping the extra attacker would help tie the game. 

Abbotsford fought hard for an empty net goal, but came up short. With 34.6 seconds left in the game Tucson was awarded a penalty shot which Šilovs saved keeping Abbotsford in the lead.

Abbotsford clutched the first win of the series with a 4-3 victory, making the series 1-0. 

Game two in the best of 3 series occurred the following day at Abbotsford Centre. Abbotsford looked to take the win that would conclude the series, and Tucson looked to push the series to game 3.  

For 6 players April 24, 2025 marks their fourteenth game in the Calder Cup playoffs. 

Silovs had his fourth start in net, winning this game would put him as the Abbotsford franchise goalie with the most wins during playoffs with 3. 

Tucson took the first penalty of the game for holding with 13:53 left in the first. This gave Abbotsford their first man advantage of the night. During the power play they had a few chances to open the scoring, with one shot going off the crossbar but where unable to get it in the net. 

Karlsson took a stick to the face, where he would leave the ice to recover, however, no call was made. Moments later Tucson opened the scoring for game 2, with 7:30 left in the first. 

Tensions were high as the Canucks looked to even the score. Tucson took their second penalty of the night for interference with 4 minutes left in the first. 

With Abbotsford on their second power play of the night they looked to even the score. Tucson fought them off and almost came up with a short handed goal. This left Abbotsford 0 for 2 on the power play in the first. 

Tucson successfully killed their second penalty kill of the night making them 2 for 2. Abbotsford came close to evening the score but the crossbar stopped them again. 

The first period ended 1-0 for Tucson and a fight broke out in the Tucson end. This lead to both teams taking penalties. Victor Mancini took a roughing penalty for Abbotsford. While Tucson took a double minor for roughing, making it a 4 minute penalty. 

Both teams remained 5-on-5 to start the second, despite the penalties at the end of the first. Tucson secured their second goal of the night making the game 2-0 with 16:02 remaining in the second. 

Tucson took their fourth penalty of the night, putting Abbotsford back on the man advantage, with the hope of closing the gap. However, Tucson fought hard to keep their 2-0 lead. 

Sammy Blais took Abbotsford’s second penalty of the night for holding the stick, giving Tucson their first man advantage of the game. Abbotsford was able to kill the penalty with strong defense and goal keeping by Silovs. 

Ty Mueller took Abbotsford’s third penalty for interference. Tucson again went on the man advantage, however, they were unable to capitalize on it. Keeping the game 2-0. 

A poorly timed line change for Abbotsford left Tucson open to secure their third goal of the night and second of the period. Giving them a 3-0 lead going into the third. 

The second period ended much the same as the first with a scuffle, however, only Abbotsford’s Sammy Blaise would draw a penalty, putting them down a man to start the third. 

Abbotsford stayed consistent on their penalty kill, keeping the score 3-0. Moments later Karlsson opened the scoring for Abbotsford, this was his second goal of the series. 

Tucson took their fifth penalty of the night for a high stick. Abbotsford looked for their second goal of the night to put the game back within 1 but where unable to do so. They were 0 for 5 on the power plays this game. 

Abbotsford pulled Šilovs in the final few minutes of the third for the man advantage. They fought hard to keep the puck in the Tucson zone, however, Tucson was able to break out and score on the empty net, making the game 4-1.  

Though the outcome of game 2 was not what Abbotsford hoped for they fought hard to drive the puck to the net. They hope to clean up some of their plays, and continue to drive the puck to the net in the final game of the series.

Game 3 will be held at Abbotsford Centre on April 26, 2025. This game is sure to be intense and physical, as the stakes are high as both teams hope to move on to round 2.