‘This has been awesome.’ Fans have no regrets as Checkers lose in Calder Cup finals

The possibility of a Game 7 gave Rory Douglas, a Charlotte native and Checkers superfan, goosebumps.

But to get to what would have been the final game of their season, the Charlotte Checkers had to take care of business on their home ice Monday night against the Abbotsford Canucks.

Charlotte FC midfielder Brandt Bronico set the tone ahead of the puck drop, breaking the cowbell’s chain and erupting the crowd of 8,324 at Bojangles Coliseum with the Checkers’ championship hopes on the line.

“That’s the ultimate. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about a Game 7,” said Douglas, sporting checkerboard Vans and a matching cowbell. “I played hockey, and I’ve watched it all 45 years of my life. That’s what you look for – that’s a dream.”

And what felt like a dream early in the action, with the Checkers jumping out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals by John Leonard and Jack Devine, quickly transformed into a nightmare.

Leading the series 3-2, the Canucks rattled off three-consecutive goals to complete the comeback, stunning the Charlotte crowd as time ran out on a chance at the Checkers’ second Calder Cup, falling 3-2.

Boos rained down much of the evening, with frustration directed at the referees and the Checkers’ inability to convert on their powerplay opportunities. But even as the Canucks’ celebration took center ice, the Charlotte crowd echoed with applause and appreciation for one of the most electric seasons in Charlotte Checkers history.

After the game, Charlotte head coach Geordie Kinnear praised the fans and expressed disappointment that his team came up two wins short.

“When I was here the first time around with Jeff Daniels as an assistant coach, one of my goals was to be the head coach of the Charlotte Checkers and win a Calder Cup in the building because I know how passionate the fans are here in the community,” said Kinnear. “Disappointed I didn’t get it done, but it creates more hunger. Super disappointed, but very proud of the fans and obviously the team.”

Record-breaking crowds

Despite the disappointing end, the Checkers brought life to what has been a rough sports year in Charlotte. Surpassing the home attendance record in Games 1 and 2 of the Calder Cup finals, with a record-high of 8,689 in the penultimate home game, season ticket holder Nancy Graver couldn’t get enough of the environment at Bojangles Coliseum.

“This has been awesome. All of these people, and how excited they are, plus the crowd engagement,” said Graver. “It’s truly amazing.”

Led by Greazy Keys, in-arena host Kendall Smith, and the continuous in-house entertainment, the Checkers’ fan-friendly environment and accessibility keep Graver coming back for more.

“Just getting to meet the players. When they have the jersey auctions, getting to go down to the Red Line Club,” Graver continued. “What’s so cool about being here, versus the NHL, is that you get access to the players. You get to meet them, and they’re really down-to-earth people. That makes it more exciting, rooting for someone you know.”

Rooting for someone you know, or feel like you know, is part of the Checkers MO. Smith, who has worked with the Checkers since she was a senior in college in 2022-23, is a connector around the team, bringing the fans and players together at Bojangles Coliseum.

“It is second to none. These fans are unbelievable. I grew up here in Charlotte, and just seeing how hockey has grown in this city and the South has been amazing. I love coming here every game and seeing how invested these fans are. They truly care,” Smith told The Observer. “We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful fan base that has embraced this team wholeheartedly. We are lucky.”

Memories from 2024-25

After winning 44 regular-season games, the most since 2018-19 and the third most in franchise history, and advancing to the Calder Cup Finals, the Checkers faithful have plenty to reminisce on after Monday night’s season-ending loss.

“My favorite moment was that comeback against Hartford on February 16,” said long-time Checkers superfan Chris Lau. “The crowd could feel it building, and everyone was edging toward the equalizer that finally dropped with half a minute left, and then the overtime winner. Moments with that kind of tension are what keep my friends and I coming back year after year.”

What was a dominant regular season saw more of the same in the playoffs, losing just two games ahead of the Calder Cup finals, including two straight sweeps to win the Eastern Conference.

Douglas’ favorite moment came when the Checkers completed the sweep of the Laval Rockets to earn a chance at their second Calder Cup.

“I think winning the Eastern Conference, that final game against Laval, was probably my favorite moment,” said Douglas. “This environment has been amazing, especially as we’ve gone deeper in the playoffs. It’s just gotten better and better. It’s been amazing all season, and if it is the last game, I couldn’t be more proud of this team. This is Charlotte at its finest.”