Abbotsford Canucks capture AHL title with 3-2 win against Charlotte Checkers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After fighting to get the series back to home ice, the Charlotte Checkers were unable to force a Game 7 of the Calder Cup Finals.

The visiting Abbotsford Canucks rallied for a 3-2 win in Game 6 at Bojangles Coliseum to become the champions of the American Hockey League.

Charlotte evened the series at 1-1 with a Game 2 win at home last Sunday, but then lost two games to the Canucks in Canada.

Then an overtime win in Game 5 sent the series back to North Carolina.

Charlotte got off to a hot start in Game 6, with a goal from John Leonard less than three minutes into the contest. Jack Devine followed past the midway point of the first period to make it 2-0.

But Abbotsford scored three unanswered goals across the first and second periods, and relied on more stellar goaltending from Arturs Silovs to seal the win.

“One of my goals was to be head coach of the Charlotte Checkers and win a Calder Cup in the building because I know how passionate the fans are and the community,” coach Geordie Kinnear said. “Disappointed we didn’t get it done, but it creates more hunger.”

The Checkers hoisted the Calder Cup in 2019.

Contact Nick Carboni at ncarboni@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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