Image: Jonathan Lekkerimäki shot two out of three goals in Game 4 Thursday night, June 19. / Abbotsford Canucks / Facebook
ABBOTSFORD CANUCKS

Abbotsford Canucks take 3-1 series lead in Game 4 Thursday night

Jun 20, 2025 | 10:12 AM

ABBOTSFORD — The Abby Canucks have been on fire over the ice this season– going from a historic franchise first in the Western Conference Final, to only being one win away from the 2025 Calder Cup.

With a synergetic team and Artūrs Šilovs blocking 30 out of 32 shots against him, Abbtosford took a 3-2 win in Game 4 of the best-of-seven series against the Charlotte Checkers.

Canucks forward Jonathan Lekkerimäki wasted no time giving his team a lead. The right-winger scooped up a pass from Ty Mueller and scored a goal on Charlotte goalie Kaapo Kähkönen at 1:15 into the game.

Tensions mounted just as early, too. The Checkers gained three power plays in the first period – starting with a roughing penalty on both teams just after four minutes of play – but the Canucks’ penalty kill stayed strong. Abbotsford led in the first period as Charlotte took a 10-6 advantage in shots on net.

Abbotsford extended their lead halfway into the second period, when Arshdeep Bains went one-on-one with Checkers defenceman Matt Kiersted and fired off a wrist shot on Kähkönen at 11:30.

Lekkerimäki pulled another fast one at 3:47 into the third period after catching a pass from Sammy Blais in front of the net. Charlotte’s Kyle Criscuolo managed to kill off Šilovs’ shutout bid with a power-play goal at 8:34, and with 27 seconds left in the game, Checkers forward Jack Devine scored his first goal of the playoffs.

Game 5 is set for 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at the Abbotsford Centre.

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