Yet another ensemble effort has the Abbotsford Canucks one win away from capturing the Calder Cup.

The Vancouver Canucks farmhands beat the Charlotte Checkers 3-2 on Thursday before an announced crowd of 7,161 at the Abbotsford Centre to go up 3-1 in the best-of-seven AHL championship series.

The first of three possible cracks to bring home the trophy for the first time in franchise history comes with Game 5 on Saturday (6 p.m.) at the Abbotsford Centre. 

Game 6, if necessary, would be Monday (4 p.m.) in Charlotte, N.C., and a Game 7, if required, would go next Wednesday (4 p.m.) there.

Abbotsford has been buoyed throughout these playoffs by the goaltending of Artūrs Šilovs. He was strong once again Tuesday, making 32 saves.

More than anything, though, this playoff run for Abbotsford has been characterized by team effort. Coach Manny Malhotra rolls four lines and three pairs of defence regularly. Abbotsford comes at you in waves, and, when they’re right like they were on Thursday, they’re heavy and physical.

Jett Woo, Sammy Blais and Tristen Nielsen led the way Thursday with momentum-swaying body checks.

Various players have led the offence through these playoffs and on Thursday it was Jonathan Lekkerimäki taking his turn, potting a pair of goals. The 2022 Vancouver first-round draft choice had been a healthy scratch for five games prior to getting back into action for Game 3 on Tuesday.

Arshdeep Bains added the other goal for the victors. 

Abbotsford (24-11-0-1) had the AHL’s fifth-best home record during the regular season. Charlotte (23-9-1-3) had the third-best road record.

Abbotsford is now 10-2 at home in these playoffs. 

The Checkers (44-22-3-3) came in fourth in the league in the regular season, two points before the fifth-place Canucks (44-24-2-2).

This is the fourth year that Vancouver has had its AHL team in Abbotsford. They are five rounds into these playoffs. They went a total of five rounds in the previous three years combined.

The last Vancouver AHL affiliate to get this deep into the playoffs was the 2015 Utica Comets team that made it to the league finale.

Here’s a recap of the game:

9:46 p.m.

Charlotte scores in a scramble with the goalie on the bench with 0:26 to go to make it 3-2. Jack Devine gets the goal.

9:22 p.m.

It’s 3-1 with 11:26 to go in the third. Charlotte gets on the board on a power play, a clever set-up by Jack Devine to Kyle Criscuolo.

9:15 p.m. 

“We want the Cup,” chants makes it way around the arena bowl.

9:13 p.m

It’s 3-0, as Jonathan Lekkerimaki sneaks one five-hole on a semi-breakaway at 3:47 of the third period. A big stop by Artūrs Šilovs started proceedings. 

8:47 p.m.

We’re through two. Abbotsford leads 2-0. Shots are 18-14 in Charlotte’s favour.

8:41 p.m. 

Glove save by Artūrs Šilovs off Charlotte’s John Leonard has more “Arty, Arty,” chanting.

8:30 p.m.

“No, he didn’t,” bellows play-by-play man Arshdeep Bains makes a nifty one-on-one move and then beats Kaapo Kähkönen five-hole to make it 2-0 at 11:30 of the second  period.

8:20 p.m.

Another advantage Abbotsford apparently.

8:16 p.m.

Right pad save by Artūrs Šilovs on a one timer from Charlotte’s Trevor Carrick

8:14 p.m. 

Checkers goalie Kaapo Kähkönen neatly follows and foils Abbotsford’s Phil Di Giuseppe on a forehand deke after Di Giuseppe got in all alone. 

8:06 p.m.

Another “Arty, Arty,” chant in the opening seconds of the second period and the puck is in the Abbotsford zone.

7:47 p.m.

First period ends with Abbotsford leading 1-0, via the Jonathan Lekkerimäki goal. Shots were 10-6 in Charlotte’s favour. Charlotte went 0-for-3 on the power play in the frame, Abbotsford was 0-for-2.

7:31 p.m. 

Sammy Blais doing Sammy Blais things, as he streamrolls Brett Chorske with a bodycheck behind the Abbotsford net.

7:24 p.m.

Jonathan Lekkerimäki is feeling it. He’s already at three shots in the first nine minutes.

7:14 p.m. 

Abbotsford goalie Artūrs Šilovs stands tall on an early Charlotte power play, drawing an “Arty, Arty,” chant from the crowd.

7:09 p.m.

Abbotsford is up 1-0 just 1:15 into the game. Christian Wolanin stretch pass sends Ty Mueller and Jonathan Lekkerimäki off on a 2-on-1. Mueller sets up Lekkerimaki for a one timer. Start could not be better. Abbotsford was physical all over the ice prior to the goal. Big hit from Jett Woo was the highlight.

7:02 p.m.

Here’s your line-ups.

6:59 p.m.

Digging the drum line “We Will Rock You,” entrance for the game.

6:57 p.m.

Our traditional Ben Lypka plug.

5:50 p.m.

The Canucks beat the Checkers to the punch on the fit check. Is that foreshadowing?

 

5:17 p.m. 

It’s walk-in photo montage time.