For the first time in franchise history, the Charlotte Checkers are Calder Cup champions.
The Carolina Hurricanes‘ AHL affiliate captured the title with a 5-3 win over the Chicago Wolves — affiliated with the Vegas Golden Knights — Saturday in Chicago.
The Checkers won the best-of-seven series in five games. After the Wolves took Game 1 in overtime, Charlotte swept the next four games, including three consecutive on the road.
Andrew Poturalski, who was named playoffs MVP, opened the scoring in the clinching game less than two minutes into the first period. Morgan Geekie’s eighth of the playoffs gave the Checkers a 2-0 lead in the second period, but a late goal from Brooks Macek pulled the Wolves to within one heading into the final frame.
Trevor Carrick’s point-shot bomb early in the third period restored the two goal lead for Charlotte. Then in the final four minutes of the game, the teams twice traded goals, with the Checkers scoring twice into the empty net.
Alex Nedeljkovic made 26 saves to get the win while Oscar Dansk made 27 in the loss.
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