In front of a towel-waving sold-out crowd of 7,161 at the Abbotsford Centre, the Abbotsford Canucks secured a thrilling 3-2 victory in Game 4, putting them one win away from their first Calder Cup in franchise history.

While the team’s collective effort has been remarkable — every full-time skater has contributed at least one goal this postseason — Game 4’s limelight belonged to one player: Jonathan Lekkerimäki, the organization’s top rookie.

Since arriving in North America just over a year ago, Lekkerimäki has carried the weight of high expectations.

With those expectations comes the burden of being the focal point when dry patches occur.

The former SHL Rookie of the Year, who now has 19 goals in his inaugural AHL regular season on his resume, is seen as a future top-six NHL scoring threat. Some even carry the hope that his potential can be fulfilled as a top-six fixture in Vancouver in 2025-26.

But the transition to North American hockey, although impressive for most of the season, hasn’t been without its challenges. With a total of 60 games in the regular season, shattering totals from any of his previous seasons, his game hit a metaphorical wall in the postseason.

Wth the combinations of a transition to the rugged brand of North American hockey, the longest season of his young career, the emotional stress of being sent back-and-forth from Abbotford to Vancouver and everything that goes with it, the weight seemingly caught up to him during the playoffs.

Through 12 games, Lekkerimäki had managed just one goal and four points. Which, after a strong regular season, was a far cry from the dynamic, confident play he showcased during stretches of the year.

His shot volume dwindled, while the spark that defined his game seemed to fade as confidence dwindled with each pointless match.

Recognizing those struggles, Head Coach Manny Malhotra made the bold decision to scratch the 20-year-old for five games. That included key elimination matchups against the Texas Stars in the Conference Final and the first two games of the Calder Cup final in Charlotte.

It was a tough call for a player with Lekkerimäki’s pedigree, highlighted by 19 regular-season goals, 24 NHL games with Vancouver, and a history of shining in big international stages.

Yet, Malhotra believed stepping back would help the rookie reset.

Back at home for games 3-5 of the Calder Cup Final, Malhotra recognized the timing and utilized his home ice advantage, giving the bench boss a chance to manage his shifts with last change. And in Games 3 and 4, his time would come to slide back into the mix.

While he may not have factored into the scoring in his return (Game 3), his mind and feet appeared refreshed, and his offensive gears looked to be turning. He was back to finding his spots in the offensive zone and generating offensive looks from dangerous areas of the ice.

And then in Game 4, it all came together.

Just 1:15 into the game, defenceman Christian Wolanin sprang Ty Mueller with a pinpoint outlet pass.

Mueller, on a two-on-one rush, delivered a perfect saucer pass over to Lekkerimäki, who rifled the puck past the goaltender with the same precision that produced those 19 regular-season goals and a playoff tally against the Colorado Eagles earlier in the postseason.

The Abbotsford Centre erupted, and the early goal ignited Lekkerimäki’s confidence. Thanks to a few odd-man rushes and some work on the man-advantage, the chances came flowing in.

By the end of the second period, he had matched his entire shot total (three) of any game through the postseason in just 20 minutes.

Then, in the third, he struck again. Off another prudent outlet, the Canucks found themselves on another odd-man rush, where Sammy Blais fed Lekkerimäki in stride.

Fighting off a defender’s stick, the rookie snapped a shot through Kaapo Kähkönen’s five-hole, tripling the Canucks’ lead and securing what would become the game-winning goal and his first multi-goal performance since December 8, 2024.

Lekkerimäki finished the night with a team-high two goals, four shots, and a plus-2 rating, earning first-star honours. For a player who had struggled to find his footing in the postseason, it was a statement performance.

“It’s a great experience,” Lekkerimäki said after Game 4, reflecting on his return to the lineup. “The atmosphere is really good.”

His resume through his first 19 years of hockey speaks for itself. Whether in the SHL or International settings, the sharpshooting Swede has a history of performing in big moments.

Be it scoring a big goal in overtime or icing games with crafty shootout goals, his ability to function in high-pressure situations has always been a key element to his game.

Heck, look at the confidence displayed at the NHL level.

Now, finally getting to step up to the plate in a high-pressure situation in front of a packed crowd in Abbotsford, he showcased exactly what makes him such a high-leverage prospect.

“To me, that sums up Lecky,” Malhotra said after the game.

“The kid has ice in his veins. He doesn’t shy away from big moments, and tonight he had two quality looks and made them count. That’s the type of player he is when given the opportunity and put in the right spot.”

Teammate Arshdeep Bains, who has experienced the highs and lows of being in-and-out of the lineup with Vancouver’s NHL club, understands the value of a reset.

“You learn a lot when you’re on the outside,” Bains said, referring to watching the game as a scratch. “You see what happens out there and how fast it is, the pace, the physicality. It’s a tough hockey game, and it’s the finals, and he [Lekkerimäki] did a great job stepping in. He’s so creative and smart, and he’s got a shot like no other. It’s nice to see him make things happen.”

With Game 5 looming on Saturday, the Canucks have a chance to win the Calder Cup on home ice. Lekkerimäki, now a near-lock to stay in the lineup, is poised to play a pivotal role yet again.

For a rookie still navigating the longest season of his young career, Game 4 was a stark reminder that development is rarely ever linear. Transitioning to a new country, league, and level play comes with its challenges, and dry spells do come eventually.

Even if his game still requires some American League reps before being ready for full-time deployment in Vancouver, it’s a strong testament to the potential lying within the organization’s top-ranked prospect as a player who can put the game on his stick and deliver in high-demand situations.

And as Manny said, this kid has ice in his veins.