The Checkers sweep Laval to advance to the Calder Cup Finals, maintaining an 8-game winning streak.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β The Charlotte Checkers completed a stunning upset sweep of the American Hockey League’s best regular-season team, defeating Laval 3-2 on Tuesday night to advance to the Calder Cup Finals for just the second time in franchise history.
The Checkers’ four-game sweep of Laval in the Eastern Conference Finals caps off a remarkable postseason run that has seen Charlotte extend their postseason winning streak to eight games. The victory sets up a finals matchup against either the Abbotsford Canucks or the Texas Stars, with the Western Conference Finals currently favoring Abbotsford 2-1 in their ongoing series.
Charlotte’s series-clinching victory came on Tuesday with a game that saw Jesse Puljujarvi score the game-winning shot with just two minutes left in regulation. The Checkers outscored the Rocket 18-6 in the series.
Charlotte’s dominance throughout the playoffs has been nothing short of impressive. After winning Game 5 of their second-round series against Providence to kick off their winning streak, the Checkers proceeded to sweep two-time defending champion Hershey in three games before dispatching the league-leading Laval squad in four straight.
The Checkers now boast a 10-2 record in postseason play, positioning themselves as the tournament’s hottest team heading into the championship round.
Home-ice advantage will belong to Charlotte for the finals, with Games 1 and 2 scheduled to take place in Charlotte next week. Should the series extend to six or seven games, the Checkers would again host at their home venue, with Games 3, 4, and 5 taking place in the opposing team’s city.
This marks Charlotte’s first return to the Calder Cup Finals since their championship-winning campaign in 2019, when they captured the franchise’s lone championship trophy. The organization and its fans will be hoping history repeats itself as they prepare for what promises to be an exciting finals series.
Tickets for the Calder Cup Finals will go on sale Wednesday morning, June 4, with additional details to be announced as they become available.
The Checkers’ remarkable playoff surge has captivated the Charlotte hockey community, as the team looks to bring home their second Calder Cup championship in franchise history.
