The table was set. The Abbotsford Centre was sold out, with not an inch to spare. The Calder Cup was in the building.

After 72 regular-season games and 22 in the postseason, the 2024-25 marathon suddenly became a 100-meter dash.
All the Canucks had to do was win one more game.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2111" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="329"></div>
And despite allowing the game&#8217;s opening goal, the Canucks felt well on their way to doing so. Taking a 3-3 score into overtime, the Canucks were all over the ice, suffocating the visiting Checkers team in their own end in the extra frame.
But in the most &#8220;Canuck&#8221; fashion, things didn&#8217;t go as planned. After a double deflection off two players, the Checkers stole Game 5 in overtime, sending the series back to the Bojangles Coliseum.
The weather forecast is predicting a heat wave in North Carolina, so it&#8217;s the worst-case scenario for this West Coast team.
The good news is that they have two more games to close things out, and have not lost back-to-back games at any point throughout this postseason run.
Sorry to the Fraser Valley faithful, the Calder Cup parade will have to wait.
<blockquote>Starting lineup</blockquote>
With three of four wins, why change a formula that works? Manny Malhotra rode identical lines from Game 4, hoping to end this series at home.
With his 23rd consecutive start, Arturs Silovs got the call in search of his 16th victory of the postseason.
Bains – Sasson ‐ Karlsson 
Di Giuseppe – Mueller – Lekkerimäki 
Blais – Khaira– Smith 
Nielsen – Wouters – Klimovich
Brisebois – Mancini 
Wolanin – Woo 
Hirose – Kudryavtsev
Silovs
<blockquote>First period: Linus Karlsson form his office</blockquote>
The initial minutes were spent with various bobbled pucks and neutral zone exchanges.
Getting his team going, Chase Wouters ignited the bench after laying the reverse hit by giving his teammates a front-row show.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/LOIWDaJVTyElvJOJuN/giphy.gif" />
That hit did its job, as Abbotsford enjoyed the next few minutes of sustained pressure, grabbing their first shots and attempts on Kaapo Kähkönen.
The top line of Arshdeep Bains, Max Sasson and Linus Karlsson have been incredible through this entire series. And they showed off why midway through the period.
Gaining entry was Sasson, who dropped the puck to Bains in the slot. Similar to the goal he scored in Game 4, he provided an incredible individual effort to test Kähkönen while falling on the ice.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/WQAdURLavgyM52OC3m/giphy.gif" />
Continuing their press, Sasson threaded a pass toward the slot, where Karlsson redirected to force the netminder to stick with the puck and set it aside.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/v8StPaKMVoIcquiZLh/giphy.gif" />
Credit to the blueline, who continues to provide incredible outlets to push the forward group up the ice.
But it was the visiting team grabbing the game&#8217;s opening goal.
Charlotte goal – 1-0 – Ben Steve&#8217;s from Jack Devine and Oliver Okuliar
Off a Jujhar Khaira giveaway, the Checkers transitioned and turned things into an odd-man rush.
With Jett Woo sliding, Jake Devine managed to outwait the check and dish a cross-ice feed to Ben Steeves, who directed past a sliding Arturs Silovs.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/KBhmceHTrnCyrieg4G/giphy.gif" />
Despite sucking the wind out of the crowd early, the Checkers gave momentum right back, grabbing two penalties to send the home team on a 5-on-3 powerplay.
And with the top unit out, they made the most of it.
Abbotsford goal – 1-1 – Linus Karlsson from Arshdeep Bains and Christian Wolanin
With the Canucks pushing the trio of penalty killers deep, Christian Wolanin sold shot before finding Bains down low.
He pushed toward the slot, attempting to slide it low on the goalie. Unsuccessful, the puck popped out directly to Linus Karlsson, who was planted in his office at the side of the net.
Making no mistake, he pointed and deposited the puck into the net to send the crowd into a frenzy.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/RbrgFxIt2QmlCvvGVt/giphy.gif" />
Although they failed to capitalize on the remaining minutes of the powerplay, the goal provided the teams with momentum to make a mad dash to tie the period&#8217;s shot totals.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/0hfAcEja3hoseCkpyX/giphy.gif" />
With all the momentum on their side, Sammy Blais took an unfortunate penalty with less than a second remaining, protecting his netminder from all of the commotion in front of him. That full two-minute stretch would be served to start the second period.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExZXF4Nnc3eGlzaTF2aWhtdGhsOTZzNXg0NThydGxmajMxMnRobGNxeCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/pistryIbjmaK71Aeea/giphy.gif" />
Both team had their moments, starting with the Checkers. But credit to this resilient Canucks team, who made the most of their opportunities and finished strong.
Shots: ABB 11, CHA 12 | Score: ABB 1, CHA 1
<blockquote>Second period: All you need is 78 seconds</blockquote>
The Canucks made lightwork of the penalty kill, staving off an entire two minute barrage in their zone.
But the Canucks were dealt with a terrible blow.
Charlotte goal – 2-1 – Brett Chorske from Jesse Puljujärvi
On a routine play, Victor Mancini caught an unfortunate edge while backing into his zone.
Grabbing the puck was Jesse Puljujärvi, who gave it to Brett Chorske.
On the sudden odd-man rush, he beat Silovs clean to get ahead for a second time in the game.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/PvxPLnO1GeZH15tozd/giphy.gif" />
But hold onto your seat, because the game busted wide open over the next several moments.
Immediately following the goal, both teams were assessed two-minute minors for roughing. That 4-on-4 stretch provided an incredible run for the home team.
First, the equalizing goal.
Abbotsford goal – 2-2 – Arshdeep Bains from Max Sasson and Kirill Kudryavtsev
Kirill Kudryavtsev bumped the puck up to Max Sasson in his zone before he looked up to spot a streaking Arshdeep Bains.
Receiving the beautiful stretch pass, Bains found himself all alone with the goalie. Without overthinking anything, he confidently snapped the puck past Kähkönen to even the score for his eighth point of the series.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/qnMT3QJxldui6PqyG3/giphy.gif" />
As the goal was being announced in the building, Kudryavtsev rushed down for another chance.
Heading down on the 3-on-1, he dropped the puck for a trailing Arshdeep Bains, but sent the puck just ahead of him.
Bains turned around and found a wide Kudryavtsev at the net front, who was robbed by the glove of the Checkers&#8217; netminder.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/pYaetgrV9FRZEJNeZE/giphy.gif" />
But the Canucks did not let up.
Abbotsford goal – 3-2 – Linus Karlsson from Ty Mueller and Jett Woo
Just 78 seconds later, the playoffs&#8217; leading goal scorer went to work.
Following a chance at the Canucks end, Jett Woo cleared the puck from harm, before Linus Karlsson chipped the puck past the defender to put himself off to the races.
With a sliding Checkers defender, the Swede cutback and outwaited his opponent before sending a labelled shot to the bottom corner while falling, spinning and admiring the scene he just created.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/M9z79RtaOKIG3IUrml/giphy.gif" />
It was an incredibly hectic 4-on-4, and by this point, the Abbotsford Centre was an absolute madhouse.
But special teams continued to come into play, and after a Ty Mueller interference penalty, the Checkers pounced.
Charlotte goal – 3-3 – Rasmus Asplund from Eamon Powell and John Leonard
Working within the Canucks’ zone, Eamon Powell rushed down below the goal line.
Creeping toward the slot was Rasmus Asplund, who received the pass and fired the low one-timer past the foot of Silovs.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/2v9LdYckoidU5AcMc3/giphy.gif" />
Sometimes, a fanned shot is just as good as a full one, and there&#8217;s a good chance that Aspplund did not get everything he wanted on this one, which took the netminder off guard.
Regardless, this game was all even at three goals aside.
After a crazy period, which included goals in 78 seconds, this period would end with a 3-3 stalemate.
But my goodness, was it a fun one.
Shots: ABB 18, CHA 26 | Score: ABB 3, CHA 3
<blockquote>Third period: Winding down</blockquote>
The third period began with some relentless pressure from the Checkers, which wasn&#8217;t incredibly surprising given the circumstances of their season being on the line.
But the Canucks quickly weathered the storm and collected themselves for rushes of their own.
After a hectic middle frame, the play slowed its pace right down, and by the midway point of the period, the shots were close to square with no grade-A chances at either side.
The way things were going, it was inching closer and closer to “next goal wins” territory.
The visiting team finally collected the period&#8217;s best chance, gunning for the odd-man rush before forcing an incredible save from Silovs.
With a labelled one-timer attempt, the Canucks netminder slid across to flash the leather for his 32nd save of the match.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExY2t6eDk3ZjhpejFyb2hqaGl4a3ozMzhkbjNhZXNqMXA4cW9ocTRrNyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/pDFUxQP6s5sIb4cSQ8/giphy.gif" />
But Kähkönen returned the favour.
On two separate occasions, he came up huge on chances that could have changed the course of this game.
First, Jujhar Khaira found himself all alone in the slot, receiving the pass and firing a shot that hit Kähkönen&#8217;s glove.
The home crowd went nuts, assuming a goal.
With the play continuing, Sasson drove the net before the puck popped out to Linus Karlsson all alone.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExbXkyNTVtbHhic3Vka3I5eWNpdHN5b2hmcTk1d2U2eDBheHJtcDE1YiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/UWl9PUwL2dGOk9ozwJ/giphy.gif" />
The third-period buzzer would sound, with no team solving either goalie in the third period for the third overtime of the series. The Checkers were the hungrier team in this period, with Abbotsford sitting back for most.
But the table was set for overtime, where the Abbotsford Canucks carried their own fate with a chance to secure their first Calder Cup with a golden goal.
Shots: ABB 24, CHA 35 | Score: ABB 3, CHA 3
<blockquote>Overtime: Double bounce</blockquote>
With several low-grade looks, Nate Smith nearly ended the night with a tremendous drive to the net.
The puck trickled wide, as the player, as well as his check, came crashing into the crease.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExY2c1ZndnanNvMTY5b2p2czJiYmVqY3MxYWd1M2lndDN2YzdndjVkdSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/XT3ZQnyHlCzP3ojh6P/giphy.gif" />
At the other end, Silovs was doing his part.
With the Checkers providing good pressure, a forward cut through the crease, testing the netminder on the blocker.
Then, with Chase Wouters, Danila Klimovich and Tristen Nielsen line out on the ice, the Canucks kicked things up a notch, enjoying a complete shift of sustained pressure.
Just as they were off to change and the Checkers were dead tired, Max Sasson took advantage.
In vintage Sasson fashion, he broke up the middle and fired a wrist shot, which beat the netminder clean…
But not the post.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/TqkhntW23chyjp3HZW/giphy.gif" />
But the Canucks would just not stop coming. With the top line back out, they continued to press and press, grabbing chance after chance to no avail.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/Ds8RAu1z3WnKAdiprG/giphy.gif" />
Next up was Jujhar Khaira, who found himself all alone in the slot uncontested.
Spinning, he threw the backhand toward the net before getting robbed by the glove of Kähkönen.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/XZL8YMq2rkClg29DIl/giphy.gif" />
Khaira couldn&#8217;t believe it.
After 15 minutes of incredible pressure from the home team, throwing everything they had at their opponents to close out this season, the most Canuck bounce happened.
Charlotte goal – 4-3 – Jesse Puljujärvi from Matt Kiersted and Justin Sourdif
Working from behind the net, Jesse Puljujärvi attempted to find a teammate, when the puck bounced off not just one Abby Canuck, but two.
First, it hit the shin pad of Ty Mueller before the puck bounced directly off the skate of Guillame Brisebois and into the back of the net.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/SkDxxGUihb5kNMl5D0/giphy.gif" />
It&#8217;s an incredibly tough way to close out a game, after the Canucks pounced with incredible percivrance for nearly an entire overtime period. Only to have it taken away with a double deflection.
The Canucks drop Game 5, and will head back to Charlotte in search of a Calder Cup at the Bojangles Colliseum.
Final shots: ABB 32, CHA 40 | Final score: ABB 3, CHA 4
<blockquote>Final thoughts</blockquote>
Despite concerning the game&#8217;s first goal, the Abbotsfrod Canucks played a strong game through the first 40 minutes. Although they took a backseat in the third, they came out guns a-blazing in the extra frame. There&#8217;s no solace in the way they eventually lost the game, but the good news is that there are two more games to close things out.
Linus Karlsson (8), Arshdeep Bains (5) and Max Sasson (3) combined 16 shots on net and five points. As a trio, they have now combined for 21 points in five games, quite literally putting this team&#8217;s offence on their back.
Meanwhile, Arturs Silovs made 36 saves in a losing effort and was certainly not the reason for dropping Game 5.
<blockquote>Hear from the coach</blockquote>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Manny Malhotra Post Game Interview | June 21 | Calder Cup Finals Game 5" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7MMSMObPTJg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<blockquote>What&#8217;s next?</blockquote>
Both teams will travel back to Charlotte for Games 6 and 7 (if necessary). The next game comes Monday, June 23rd, with puck set to drop at 4:00 pm PT at the Bojangles Coliseum.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="329" data-promotion-id="19111" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>

The table was set. The Abbotsford Centre was sold out, with not an inch to spare. The Calder Cup was in the building.



After 72 regular-season games and 22 in the postseason, the 2024-25 marathon suddenly became a 100-meter dash.

All the Canucks had to do was win one more game.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2111" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="329"></div>
And despite allowing the game's opening goal, the Canucks felt well on their way to doing so. Taking a 3-3 score into overtime, the Canucks were all over the ice, suffocating the visiting Checkers team in their own end in the extra frame.

But in the most "Canuck" fashion, things didn't go as planned. After a double deflection off two players, the Checkers stole Game 5 in overtime, sending the series back to the Bojangles Coliseum.

The weather forecast is predicting a heat wave in North Carolina, so it's the worst-case scenario for this West Coast team.

The good news is that they have two more games to close things out, and have not lost back-to-back games at any point throughout this postseason run.

Sorry to the Fraser Valley faithful, the Calder Cup parade will have to wait.
<blockquote>Starting lineup</blockquote>
With three of four wins, why change a formula that works? Manny Malhotra rode identical lines from Game 4, hoping to end this series at home.

With his 23rd consecutive start, Arturs Silovs got the call in search of his 16th victory of the postseason.

Bains – Sasson ‐ Karlsson
Di Giuseppe – Mueller – Lekkerimäki
Blais – Khaira– Smith
Nielsen – Wouters – Klimovich

Brisebois – Mancini
Wolanin – Woo
Hirose – Kudryavtsev

Silovs
<blockquote>First period: Linus Karlsson form his office</blockquote>
The initial minutes were spent with various bobbled pucks and neutral zone exchanges.

Getting his team going, Chase Wouters ignited the bench after laying the reverse hit by giving his teammates a front-row show.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/LOIWDaJVTyElvJOJuN/giphy.gif" />

That hit did its job, as Abbotsford enjoyed the next few minutes of sustained pressure, grabbing their first shots and attempts on Kaapo Kähkönen.

The top line of Arshdeep Bains, Max Sasson and Linus Karlsson have been incredible through this entire series. And they showed off why midway through the period.

Gaining entry was Sasson, who dropped the puck to Bains in the slot. Similar to the goal he scored in Game 4, he provided an incredible individual effort to test Kähkönen while falling on the ice.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/WQAdURLavgyM52OC3m/giphy.gif" />

Continuing their press, Sasson threaded a pass toward the slot, where Karlsson redirected to force the netminder to stick with the puck and set it aside.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/v8StPaKMVoIcquiZLh/giphy.gif" />

Credit to the blueline, who continues to provide incredible outlets to push the forward group up the ice.

But it was the visiting team grabbing the game's opening goal.

Charlotte goal – 1-0 – Ben Steve's from Jack Devine and Oliver Okuliar

Off a Jujhar Khaira giveaway, the Checkers transitioned and turned things into an odd-man rush.

With Jett Woo sliding, Jake Devine managed to outwait the check and dish a cross-ice feed to Ben Steeves, who directed past a sliding Arturs Silovs.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/KBhmceHTrnCyrieg4G/giphy.gif" />

Despite sucking the wind out of the crowd early, the Checkers gave momentum right back, grabbing two penalties to send the home team on a 5-on-3 powerplay.

And with the top unit out, they made the most of it.

Abbotsford goal – 1-1 – Linus Karlsson from Arshdeep Bains and Christian Wolanin

With the Canucks pushing the trio of penalty killers deep, Christian Wolanin sold shot before finding Bains down low.

He pushed toward the slot, attempting to slide it low on the goalie. Unsuccessful, the puck popped out directly to Linus Karlsson, who was planted in his office at the side of the net.

Making no mistake, he pointed and deposited the puck into the net to send the crowd into a frenzy.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/RbrgFxIt2QmlCvvGVt/giphy.gif" />

Although they failed to capitalize on the remaining minutes of the powerplay, the goal provided the teams with momentum to make a mad dash to tie the period's shot totals.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/0hfAcEja3hoseCkpyX/giphy.gif" />

With all the momentum on their side, Sammy Blais took an unfortunate penalty with less than a second remaining, protecting his netminder from all of the commotion in front of him. That full two-minute stretch would be served to start the second period.

<img src="https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExZXF4Nnc3eGlzaTF2aWhtdGhsOTZzNXg0NThydGxmajMxMnRobGNxeCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/pistryIbjmaK71Aeea/giphy.gif" />

Both team had their moments, starting with the Checkers. But credit to this resilient Canucks team, who made the most of their opportunities and finished strong.

Shots: ABB 11, CHA 12 | Score: ABB 1, CHA 1
<blockquote>Second period: All you need is 78 seconds</blockquote>
The Canucks made lightwork of the penalty kill, staving off an entire two minute barrage in their zone.

But the Canucks were dealt with a terrible blow.

Charlotte goal – 2-1 – Brett Chorske from Jesse Puljujärvi

On a routine play, Victor Mancini caught an unfortunate edge while backing into his zone.

Grabbing the puck was Jesse Puljujärvi, who gave it to Brett Chorske.

On the sudden odd-man rush, he beat Silovs clean to get ahead for a second time in the game.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/PvxPLnO1GeZH15tozd/giphy.gif" />

But hold onto your seat, because the game busted wide open over the next several moments.

Immediately following the goal, both teams were assessed two-minute minors for roughing. That 4-on-4 stretch provided an incredible run for the home team.

First, the equalizing goal.

Abbotsford goal – 2-2 – Arshdeep Bains from Max Sasson and Kirill Kudryavtsev

Kirill Kudryavtsev bumped the puck up to Max Sasson in his zone before he looked up to spot a streaking Arshdeep Bains.

Receiving the beautiful stretch pass, Bains found himself all alone with the goalie. Without overthinking anything, he confidently snapped the puck past Kähkönen to even the score for his eighth point of the series.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/qnMT3QJxldui6PqyG3/giphy.gif" />

As the goal was being announced in the building, Kudryavtsev rushed down for another chance.

Heading down on the 3-on-1, he dropped the puck for a trailing Arshdeep Bains, but sent the puck just ahead of him.

Bains turned around and found a wide Kudryavtsev at the net front, who was robbed by the glove of the Checkers' netminder.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/pYaetgrV9FRZEJNeZE/giphy.gif" />

But the Canucks did not let up.

Abbotsford goal – 3-2 – Linus Karlsson from Ty Mueller and Jett Woo

Just 78 seconds later, the playoffs' leading goal scorer went to work.

Following a chance at the Canucks end, Jett Woo cleared the puck from harm, before Linus Karlsson chipped the puck past the defender to put himself off to the races.

With a sliding Checkers defender, the Swede cutback and outwaited his opponent before sending a labelled shot to the bottom corner while falling, spinning and admiring the scene he just created.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/M9z79RtaOKIG3IUrml/giphy.gif" />

It was an incredibly hectic 4-on-4, and by this point, the Abbotsford Centre was an absolute madhouse.

But special teams continued to come into play, and after a Ty Mueller interference penalty, the Checkers pounced.

Charlotte goal – 3-3 – Rasmus Asplund from Eamon Powell and John Leonard

Working within the Canucks’ zone, Eamon Powell rushed down below the goal line.

Creeping toward the slot was Rasmus Asplund, who received the pass and fired the low one-timer past the foot of Silovs.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/2v9LdYckoidU5AcMc3/giphy.gif" />

Sometimes, a fanned shot is just as good as a full one, and there's a good chance that Aspplund did not get everything he wanted on this one, which took the netminder off guard.

Regardless, this game was all even at three goals aside.

After a crazy period, which included goals in 78 seconds, this period would end with a 3-3 stalemate.

But my goodness, was it a fun one.

Shots: ABB 18, CHA 26 | Score: ABB 3, CHA 3
<blockquote>Third period: Winding down</blockquote>
The third period began with some relentless pressure from the Checkers, which wasn't incredibly surprising given the circumstances of their season being on the line.

But the Canucks quickly weathered the storm and collected themselves for rushes of their own.

After a hectic middle frame, the play slowed its pace right down, and by the midway point of the period, the shots were close to square with no grade-A chances at either side.

The way things were going, it was inching closer and closer to “next goal wins” territory.

The visiting team finally collected the period's best chance, gunning for the odd-man rush before forcing an incredible save from Silovs.

With a labelled one-timer attempt, the Canucks netminder slid across to flash the leather for his 32nd save of the match.

<img src="https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExY2t6eDk3ZjhpejFyb2hqaGl4a3ozMzhkbjNhZXNqMXA4cW9ocTRrNyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/pDFUxQP6s5sIb4cSQ8/giphy.gif" />

But Kähkönen returned the favour.

On two separate occasions, he came up huge on chances that could have changed the course of this game.

First, Jujhar Khaira found himself all alone in the slot, receiving the pass and firing a shot that hit Kähkönen's glove.

The home crowd went nuts, assuming a goal.

With the play continuing, Sasson drove the net before the puck popped out to Linus Karlsson all alone.

<img src="https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExbXkyNTVtbHhic3Vka3I5eWNpdHN5b2hmcTk1d2U2eDBheHJtcDE1YiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/UWl9PUwL2dGOk9ozwJ/giphy.gif" />

The third-period buzzer would sound, with no team solving either goalie in the third period for the third overtime of the series. The Checkers were the hungrier team in this period, with Abbotsford sitting back for most.

But the table was set for overtime, where the Abbotsford Canucks carried their own fate with a chance to secure their first Calder Cup with a golden goal.

Shots: ABB 24, CHA 35 | Score: ABB 3, CHA 3
<blockquote>Overtime: Double bounce</blockquote>
With several low-grade looks, Nate Smith nearly ended the night with a tremendous drive to the net.

The puck trickled wide, as the player, as well as his check, came crashing into the crease.

<img src="https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExY2c1ZndnanNvMTY5b2p2czJiYmVqY3MxYWd1M2lndDN2YzdndjVkdSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/XT3ZQnyHlCzP3ojh6P/giphy.gif" />

At the other end, Silovs was doing his part.

With the Checkers providing good pressure, a forward cut through the crease, testing the netminder on the blocker.

Then, with Chase Wouters, Danila Klimovich and Tristen Nielsen line out on the ice, the Canucks kicked things up a notch, enjoying a complete shift of sustained pressure.

Just as they were off to change and the Checkers were dead tired, Max Sasson took advantage.

In vintage Sasson fashion, he broke up the middle and fired a wrist shot, which beat the netminder clean…

But not the post.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/TqkhntW23chyjp3HZW/giphy.gif" />

But the Canucks would just not stop coming. With the top line back out, they continued to press and press, grabbing chance after chance to no avail.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/Ds8RAu1z3WnKAdiprG/giphy.gif" />

Next up was Jujhar Khaira, who found himself all alone in the slot uncontested.

Spinning, he threw the backhand toward the net before getting robbed by the glove of Kähkönen.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/XZL8YMq2rkClg29DIl/giphy.gif" />

Khaira couldn't believe it.

After 15 minutes of incredible pressure from the home team, throwing everything they had at their opponents to close out this season, the most Canuck bounce happened.

Charlotte goal – 4-3 – Jesse Puljujärvi from Matt Kiersted and Justin Sourdif

Working from behind the net, Jesse Puljujärvi attempted to find a teammate, when the puck bounced off not just one Abby Canuck, but two.

First, it hit the shin pad of Ty Mueller before the puck bounced directly off the skate of Guillame Brisebois and into the back of the net.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/SkDxxGUihb5kNMl5D0/giphy.gif" />

It's an incredibly tough way to close out a game, after the Canucks pounced with incredible percivrance for nearly an entire overtime period. Only to have it taken away with a double deflection.

The Canucks drop Game 5, and will head back to Charlotte in search of a Calder Cup at the Bojangles Colliseum.

Final shots: ABB 32, CHA 40 | Final score: ABB 3, CHA 4
<blockquote>Final thoughts</blockquote>
Despite concerning the game's first goal, the Abbotsfrod Canucks played a strong game through the first 40 minutes. Although they took a backseat in the third, they came out guns a-blazing in the extra frame. There's no solace in the way they eventually lost the game, but the good news is that there are two more games to close things out.

Linus Karlsson (8), Arshdeep Bains (5) and Max Sasson (3) combined 16 shots on net and five points. As a trio, they have now combined for 21 points in five games, quite literally putting this team's offence on their back.

Meanwhile, Arturs Silovs made 36 saves in a losing effort and was certainly not the reason for dropping Game 5.
<blockquote>Hear from the coach</blockquote>
https://youtu.be/7MMSMObPTJg?si=bOUCyrJmSRi1I_lC
<blockquote>What's next?</blockquote>
Both teams will travel back to Charlotte for Games 6 and 7 (if necessary). The next game comes Monday, June 23rd, with puck set to drop at 4:00 pm PT at the Bojangles Coliseum.
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