Canucks top Checkers in 2OT to take Game 1 of Calder Cup Finals

The Abbotsford Canucks drew first blood in the Calder Cup Finals, albeit not without some controversy.

Danila Klimovich scored the game-winner on the power play as the Canucks topped the Charlotte Checkers in double overtime to take Game 1.

The Checkers, a Florida Panthers affiliate, thought they won the game early in double overtime when the Canucks scored on their own net off a faceoff. Ty Mueller won a faceoff in the Canucks' zone cleanly and caught goaltender Arturs Silovs — who did not appear aware that the puck was dropped as he was still putting on his helmet — off guard.

The on-ice officials convened and decided to wave off the goal and the faceoff was re-done.

"There wasn't a full explanation, they said it wasn't a goal," Canucks coach Manny Malhotra told reporters after a game in which the Checkers outshot his team 54-30.

The Canucks forced overtime with a third-period goal from Mueller midway through the final frame. Posted at the edge of the crease in front of Checkers goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen, Mueller tapped in a setup from Tristan Nielsen to square up the score.

The Canucks opened the scoring early in the first period when Max Sasson buried a rebound off a Sammy Blais slot shot for his sixth goal of the Calder Cup playoffs and 11th point.

MacKenzie Entwistle answered shortly after to tie the game, and the Checkers took their first lead before the end of the opening frame with a goal from Oliver Okuliar.

Richmond, B.C. native Justin Sourdif doubled Charlotte's lead midway in the second period before Nate Smith made it a one-goal game with his sixth goal of the playoffs.

"I wasn't thrilled with the start," Malhotra said. "Give them a lot of credit. That's their style of hockey. We just had too many guys who weren't ready to start the game. As the game went on, I felt we got our legs going and got more into it. Once again, can't say enough about our group and how resilient they are."

Game 2 is Sunday in Charlotte.