02-06-2025
Florida Panthers set sights on Stanley Cup victory as Charlotte Checkers move toward Calder Cup Final
Florida Panthers (via Getty Images)
T
he Florida Panthers are pursuing their much-awaited Stanley Cup win and their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, are making history on their own in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
For the first time since coming together in 2020, both teams are within reach of championship glory—an accomplishment that could replicate an unusual feat unseen in almost 30 years in professional hockey.
Charlotte Checkers overwhelm
Laval Rocket
to sit one win shy of Calder Cup Final
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The Florida Panthers may not be the only team in the playoffs spotlight, as the Charlotte Checkers are within a win of heading to the Calder Cup Final with a 5-1 thumping of the Laval Rocket in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
On Sunday, the team effort was visible with Riley Bezeau scoring twice, including one during a four-goal second period, as John Leonard, Will Lockwood, and Sandis Vilmanis also scored to make the game far out of reach for the AHL affiliate Laval Rocket of the Montreal Canadiens.
Goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen was again phenomenal with 22 saves, supporting Charlotte to its seventh consecutive playoff victory. The Checkers have now scored 15-4 in this best-of-seven series against Laval.
'Our guys have done it all year,'' Charlotte Checkers head coach Geordie Kinnear said.
'That's a great team,'' Bezeau said. 'They finished first in their division; they're not going to go away, and we know that. We've just got to stick to our game plan and keep going.'
If Charlotte sweeps the series at home Tuesday night, and if the Florida Panthers keep their Stanley Cup Final quest alive, the two teams might duplicate a task last accomplished in 1995 when the New Jersey Devils and Albany River Rats captured the Stanley Cup and Calder Cup, respectively.
Meanwhile in the Western Conference, the Abbotsford Canucks lead 2-0 against the Texas Stars and the series heads to Austin for Game 3.
Also read:
Brad Marchand eyes the second Stanley Cup in a career-redefining run with the Florida Panthers
As the Florida Panthers eye a Stanley Cup championship, the Charlotte Checkers are forging an equally impressive argument for a Calder Cup Final appearance. If both teams win their respective titles, it would be a historic double victory for the organization, helping to make this year one of the most successful in Florida's hockey history.
