The Abbotsford Canucks lost Game-5 in overtime 4-3 on Saturday night to the Charlotte Checkers and the Calder Cup Final will continue Monday night back in North Carolina. The Canucks lead the series 3-games-to-2.
Abbotsford was a goalpost away from winning the Cup in OT when Max Sasson hit iron, firing a shot past Charlotte goalie Kaapo Kähkönen just minutes before Jesse Puljujärvi won the game for the visitors at 15:22 of the extra session.
Sasson played 29 games for the Vancouver Canucks this past season, scoring three goals and adding seven assists. Puljujärvi was the 4th-overall pick of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016 draft and has almost 400 games of NHL experience, including five this past season with the Florida Panthers.
Linus Karlsson had two goals for Abby; his playoff leading total now at 13.
The Checkers outshot the Canucks 40-32 for the game, a match that saw a scoreless 3rd period after Charlotte tied it at 12:12 of the 2nd.
It’s a quick turnaround and a long trip. Game-6 cranks up a little after 4 pm pacific on Monday with Abbotsford having a second opportunity to win the Calder Cup. If they fail that night, Game-7 would be in Charlotte on Wednesday evening.
Earlier Vancouver:
— Simmer’s (1st) Summer 9 – Ex-Canucks In SCF; Lose The Goal Song
