Abbotsford Canucks Lead Calder Cup Final 3-1 Over Charlotte Checkers

The Charlotte Checkers are facing elimination in the 2025 Calder Cup Finals after falling to the Abbotsford Canucks 3-2 in Game 4, giving the Canucks a commanding 3-1 series lead. The Canucks jumped to an early lead with goals from Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Arshdeep Bains, while the Checkers struggled despite late power-play goals from Kyle Criscuolo and Jack Devine. This loss marks the Checkers' first three-game losing streak since January, dropping their road win streak that had reached 10 games earlier in the series. The Canucks are now one win away from claiming the Calder Cup, with Game 5 set in Abbotsford where the Checkers must win to keep their championship hopes alive. Charlotte’s coach Geordie Kinnear emphasized the need to embrace the tough, physical playoff environment as they prepare for the critical upcoming games. The series, which features the Panthers' AHL affiliate striving to become hockey’s first affiliated champions since 1995, will shift back to Charlotte if the Checkers can force a Game 6.