The Vancouver Canucks haven’t had an AHL affiliate advance to the league final since the Utica Comets in 2015
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
The heat is on in Abbotsford.
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Not only was the mercury expected to climb to 31 degrees Celsius in the Fraser Valley on Sunday, and actually feel like 34, the temperature inside the Abbotsford Centre will also rise.
The Abbotsford Canucks hold a 3-2 series lead over the Texas Stars in the AHL best-of-seven Western Conference final and are a victory away from advancing to the Calder Cup championship against the Charlotte Checkers.
Game 6 before a raucous sold-out Abbotsford audience goes at 6 p.m., and if a seventh game is necessary, it’s slated for Monday at 7 p.m. in the valley. The Canucks obviously don’t want to be forced into a do-or-die showdown in Game 7 that could end their remarkable season, or shorten rest and prep time for the AHL final.
The Checkers are the Florida Panthers’ affiliate and swept the Laval Rocket in the Eastern Conference final. They will host first two games of the AHL title series starting Friday in North Carolina, with the west winner getting Game 3, 4 and 5 home dates, before the series reverts back to Charlotte.
As for tonight, the Canucks will look for a hero.
Maybe somebody snaps a tight game in the third period, or becomes the latest overtime star. Four series games have been decided by one goal and three required overtime. Stars captain Curtis McKenzie of Golden, B.C., delivered the extra-session dagger Friday in Texas in a 2-1 triumph to force Game 6.
It came after winger Danila Klimovich, who had yet to see the ice in the final series, struck in double overtime Wednesday to put the Canucks up 3-1 and on verge of a series-clinching win.
You’d like to think Canucks winger Linus Karlsson is going to have a say in the Game 6 outcome. He has two goals in the series by getting to the net, has been a prime playmaker, and is tied for the post-season lead with nine goals. His 17 points are third among playoff scorers and he’s second in shots with 49.
Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Canucks Report will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Interested in more newsletters?
Maybe Arturs Silovs stretches his post-season shutout string to six. That would be fitting to equal the AHL record established by former Canucks goaltender Mika Noronen, who backstopped the Rochester Americans to the league crown in 2000.
Noronen played just four NHL games for Vancouver after being acquired at the 2006 NHL trade deadline. In his first appearance, he was bombed in a 5-0 loss to the Nashville Predators. Noronen then signed in Russia as opposed to serving as backup to workhorse Roberto Luongo.
An affiliate of the parent Vancouver Canucks hasn’t gone to the big AHL dance since 2015.
That’s when the Utica Comets, guided by head coach Travis Green, parlayed a 47-20-0-9 regular-season mark into post-season series wins over the Chicago Wolves, Oklahoma City Barons and Grand Rapids Griffins. They then fell to the Manchester Monarchs, affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings, in five games of the best-of-seven championship.
Those Comets were led in post-season scoring by Cal O’Reilly with 19 points (2-17) in 23 games and Sven Baetschi, who had 15 points (8-7) in 21 outings. In the regular season, 11 players struck for double digits in goals. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom was also stellar with a 22-7-2 mark, 1.88 GAA, .934 saves percentage and five shutouts.
If you aren’t able to watch the game in person, scroll down for the play-by-play updates from tonight’s game. Be sure to hit the refresh button for the latest update.
For the first time in this series, Canucks bench boss Manny Malhotra staying with same lineup as Game 5, but with the odd line tweak. No winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki again. This goes beyond getting a rest and a reset. It’s non-performance based.
Home Ice Lines📈

📺 | https://t.co/HUVZm7aSFK
📻 | Sportsnet 650 pic.twitter.com/rBExXUr2Hd
End of period. Texas up 2-1 and Abby up 23-21 in shots.
7:42:
Bains scores in consecutive games by getting to the net and potting rebound off Wolanin shot at 18:52 to narrow deficit to 2-1 and swing momentum. Hellberg was in that goaltending zone. Calm and collected. Abby needed bodies at net for screens, tips and rebounds and Bains did just that.
7:35:
Abby doing nice job of getting involved and joining the rush to cause odd-man rushes and confusion. Good way to get to Hellberg. Canucks need a goal before end of frame.
7:29:
Silovs caught looking the wrong way as Scott takes feed from behind net and scores his first AHL goal at 13:05 before Abby stopper can seal up the post. Texas up 2-0.
7:23:
Karlsson is stopped on wrap-around attempt and Sasson is then checked off puck heading to crease on sprawling play by defender.
7:15:
Blumel denied at side of net by Silovs, and then in transition, it’s Di Giuseppe with his third Grade A chance of the night on ensuring rush. Kilmovich then has stick slashed in high slot and and his shot flutters away.
7:12:
Texas with first four shots of the period and Canucks trying to stick with it and find the equalizer. Mueller then denied on backhander at side of net on feed by Bains and then on the rebound. Should be a boost for Abby to push pace more.
7:05:
Stars playing more direct and Becker’s one-touch deflection nearly finds net for two-goal cushion. Hellberg has also stopped 60 of 62 shots for Stars since getting the net. Matching Silovs save for save. Apparently, Landon Ferraro once scored on Hellberg.
7:04:
Stars did a good job of mounting momentum after Canucks got off to fast first-period start. Texas has taken the crowd of the game. Abby needs to be patient, but knows how tight these games are. Four decided by one goal, three went to OT.
FIRST PERIOD
End of opening period. Stars up 1-0 and shots are 10 apiece.
6:40:
Mass confusion. Red lights go on at both ends of ice. Blais goes bar down, but puck stay out. Abby stops playing, and in transition, it’s Blumel opening scoring with his seventh of playoffs at 18:35. No chance for Silovs, with the post-to-post stretch. Canucks respond with O-zone pressure to equal before end of frame.
When all is said and done, Texas leads 1-0

If you want fun hockey, the AHL Western Conference Finals DELIVERS.
📺: https://t.co/nsi0FWlibI#AHL #CalderCup https://t.co/4xNDNxdiqk
6:30:
Abby is playing with fire. Smith off for boarding and Stars have a lot of PP weapons, but Mueller responds with SH shot that goes over net. Smart feed by Mancini to start the play. Great read. Silovs follows up with stick and kick saves.
6:25:
Di Giuseppe gets his second great scoring chance of period on rebound and then draws tripping penalty by keep speed on zone entry. Karlsson then has PP opportunity at side of net. Ferraro suggesting Canucks play more direct to net on PP, something his dad would say.
6:23:
Abby looks to have early comfort factor. Up 6-3 in shots and rolling the lines. Controlling play in all zones.
6:15:
We’re back with live stream, just as Sasson heads to the box. Abby was up 4-1 on shot clock before the slash. Good PK pressure up ice and not allowing easy PP entries. Good kill.
6:11:
We have lost live streaming feed. Relying on PXP man Brandon Astle and analyst Landon Ferraro to bring it big time.
6:09:
Sasson heavy on the forecheck on first shift. Grade A chance for Di Giuseppe on doorstep.
• Abbotsford Canucks Recap: Texas beats Abby 2-1 in OT goal by B.C. boy Curtis McKenzie
• Abbotsford Canucks Recap: Danila Klimovich unlikely hero in double OT, Abby up 3-1 in conference final
• There’s a buzz around the Abbotsford Canucks like never before
bkuzma@postmedia.com
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4
© 2025 The Province, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.
This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
You can manage saved articles in your account.
and save up to 100 articles!
You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.

source