Charlotte Checkers even Calder Cup series with Game 2 victory in OT
Mike Benning’s shot found the top corner with 15:58 left in overtime, but the real story was what happened before the puck landed in the net.
Charlotte’s power play, which went 0-for-5 in Friday’s Game 1 loss, delivered when the Checkers needed it most. Benning’s blast gave Charlotte a 3-2 victory against the Abbotsford Canucks and evened the Calder Cup Finals at one game each.
“You know, (Justin) Sourdif gave me a good tip-pass and I just had to put it in my spot,” Benning said.
The special teams unit that failed the Checkers in the series opener found its rhythm Sunday at Bojangles Coliseum. Wilmer Skoog scored Charlotte’s first power-play goal of the series in the first period, then Benning capped the turnaround with the overtime winner.
Both goals came on clean looks. Skoog skated through Abbotsford’s penalty kill and fired high. Benning took Justin Sourdif’s pass and buried it in the same spot.
“It’s your confidence, but it’s just being in the moment,” Charlotte head coach Geordie Kinnear said about the power play clicking. “It’s a really good hockey team over there.”
The power play made the difference in a game that mirrored Friday’s opener in nearly every way. Both teams needed overtime to win. Both featured physical play that left players chirping and crowds energized. Both came down to special teams execution.
In Sunday’s game, John Leonard gave Charlotte a 1-0 lead in the first period, converting Rasmus Asplund’s pass while positioned in the crease. But then Abbotsford answered twice: Sammy Blais scored off Jujhar Khaira’s deflection, before Skoog’s power-play goal made it 2-1 Charlotte. With a chance for a penalty kill, Abbotsford’s Linus Karlsson wrapped around goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen to tie the game again at 2-2.
Neither team scored in the second or third periods despite Charlotte’s shot advantage.
The crowd of 8,689 — 22 more than Friday’s short-lived record — stayed for overtime. White towels appeared throughout the game. “Let’s Go Checkers” chants echoed through the building as the clock wound down.
Overtime brought the decisive sequence. Matt Kiersted was called for tripping at 19:44, putting Charlotte on the penalty kill. The Checkers killed it off, then caught a break when Abbotsford’s Chase Wouters was whistled for tripping with four seconds left on Kiersted’s penalty.
The 4-on-4 lasted just moments before turning into a standard power play. Benning needed only that brief window.
“We worked hard all year and it’s just one,” Benning said of the goal and win. “We celebrated today, but we’ll move on to the next game.”
The victory gives Charlotte home-ice advantage back after losing Game 1. The series shifts to Abbotsford for Game 3 on Tuesday.
Kinnear praised the atmosphere created by consecutive sellout crowds, highlighted by Charlotte Hornets legend Kemba Walker, who handled pre-game duties before the puck dropped for Game 2.
“Absolutely incredible,” Kinnear said. “The building, older building, lots of atmosphere, unbelievable city. Guys love it here.”
Charlotte’s penalty kill also improved from Game 1, limiting Abbotsford’s chances despite taking six minor penalties. Kahkonen made key saves throughout, including a glove stop on Max Sasson’s shot that briefly looked like the goal-ahead goal with 7:45 remaining in regulation.
The goaltender’s steadiness allowed Charlotte’s skaters to focus on generating offense rather than protecting leads. That patience paid off when the power play finally converted.
The Checkers head to British Columbia with momentum and confidence in their special teams. Friday’s power-play struggles are history. Sunday’s execution is the template going forward.
Two games, two overtimes, one series tied at 1-1.
This story was originally published June 15, 2025 at 8:55 PM.