Barring a Stanley Cup Final that doesn’t go the distance and a sweep between the Abbotsford Canucks and the Charlotte Checkers, the Calder Cup Final will go well beyond the Stanley Cup Final. Game 5 is on June 21st, a day after the last possible day for NHL action, and if the series goes seven games, there will be hockey on June 25th. The bottom line is that the American Hockey League (AHL) will most likely be playing hockey well after the NHL season, which is common for the developmental league.
The Calder Cup Final begins Friday night, and there’s a feeling of authenticity surrounding the series. The Charlotte market isn’t a small one; rather, it reflects the same atmosphere as Raleigh, a market that is proving hockey can thrive there. Abbotsford is a suburban version of Vancouver, and the crowds feel more organic, where the true fans aren’t priced out of the playoffs (something the AHL in general is good at).
This series looks to be a great one, so let’s dive in. Since it’s a development league, the prospects are always the first thing fans gravitate towards, even if they aren’t the most impactful players.
Prospects to Watch in the Final
The Checkers are a team led by veterans turning back the block. John Leonard, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Rasmus Asplund have bounced around the AHL and NHL but have hit their stride and become the leaders of the offense. That said, there are a few prospects who are key parts of the roster.
The first to come to mind is Michael Benning. The 23-year-old defenseman isn’t what fans consider a prospect. However, he’s finally rounded out his game and added a spark on the offensive end, with four goals in the playoff runs. Then there’s Sandis Vilmanis, a 21-year-old forward who is a rookie at the AHL level but already a reliable contributor, with nine goals and 18 assists in the regular season while adding three goals and four assists in the playoff run.
The Canucks traded JT Miller this season, losing a star forward and starting a retool process. The bright spot is that the deal gave them Victor Mancini, who at 23, has proven he can be a depth defenseman at the NHL level. Paired with the 21-year-old Kirill Kudryavtsev and the Canucks have two defensemen who can make an impact on both ends.
The other prospect from the Abbotsford side to note is Ty Mueller. At 22, he’s proving why he’s a top prospect and someone who can possibly center a middle-six line down the road. His passing stands out as he had 27 assists this season, with six in the playoffs.
What You Need To Know
- The Checkers look like an unbeatable team at the moment. They swept the Hershey Bears, the defending Calder Cup champions, and then swept the Laval Rocket, the team with the best record in the AHL. The defense stands out as the Checkers are allowing only 1.75 goals per game in the playoffs. The last time an NHL team and its AHL affiliate won the title in both leagues was in 1995 (the New Jersey Devils and Albany River Rats), so there’s a good chance history is made in this one.
- The only team that came close to beating the Checkers was the Providence Bruins, who lost the first two games but battled back to force a winner-take-all Game 5. The Bruins made the series a close one with the help of elite goaltending, which provides a blueprint for the Canucks to pull off the upset.
- The Canucks have the best goaltender in the playoffs. Arturs Silovs is built for the big stage, and his .929 save percentage (SV%) and 1.91 goals-against average (GAA), along with five shutouts in the playoff run, reflect that. Silovs give the Canucks an edge in the Final, one they are otherwise outmatched.
- Like the Checkers, the Canucks made it to the Final on the back of great defense, allowing only 2.16 goals per game. So, the offense that steps up and takes over the series will lead their team to the title (that favors the Checkers, who have run up the score multiple times in the last two rounds).
How The Canucks & Checkers Will Win The Calder Cup Final
The Checkers have an obvious answer to winning this series. They love to forecheck, play physical, and generate pressure (sounds a lot like the Florida Panthers, their NHL team). If they make this series and fast one, where they move the puck up the ice and fire multiple shots on the net, this series won’t be close.
The Canucks will win with Silovs putting together a few dominant performances. They’ll need at least one shutout from him, and likewise, the defense must help, which they did in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final, allowing only 25 shots on the net. On top of that, the special teams must remain top-notch, as it’s been remarkable so far, scoring 11 goals on the power play while only allowing three goals shorthanded.
The Checkers are the favorites in the series and could make this Final one-sided. However, the Canucks have proven they can take over a series and control it, which makes this one a fun one to sit back and enjoy.
