AHL Abbotsford Wins First Ever Calder Cup, Raising Bigger Questions About the Vancouver Canucks' NHL Troubles

It was a very long season for the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Canucks, beginning back in October under new Head Coach Manny Malhotra and it was a bit of a mystery how the team would perform and if they'd be able to make a deeper playoff run than years past.

In January, the team sat on the outside of the playoff picture with a 14-15-1-1 record, but then things turned around in a big way for them including a 13-game winning streak which played a big role in them not only clinching a berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs, but also being two points back of a division title.

On Monday night, in Game 6 of the Calder Cup Final against the Charlotte Checkers, AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, the Abbotsford Canucks squeaked out a 3-2 win to claim their first ever Calder Cup.

Arturs Silovs made 28 saves on 30 shots, taking home Calder Cup Playoff MVP honours, while Linus Karlsson's 14th goal of the postseason stood as the game-winner.

The Abbotsford Canucks' playoff run began back in April as they took on and defeated the Tucson Roadrunners in a best-of-three series, which they won in three games.

Manny Malhotra's group then moved on to face the two-time defending Western Conference champion Coachella Valley Firebirds, who they dispatched in four games, winning their best-of-five series three games to one.

The Colorado Eagles awaited Abbotsford in the Pacific Division Final, which went the distance, as the Canucks won 5-0 in Game 5 to advance to their first Western Conference Final.

Abbotsford and Texas battled it out in the Western Conference Final earlier this month, with the winner taking on Charlotte in the Calder Cup Final, who swept Laval in four games in the Eastern Conference Final.

The Canucks and Stars went back and forth in the series, but it was Abbotsford who would come out on top to claim the Western Conference Final in six games and as mentioned, would go on to face Charlotte.

Abbotsford played very well throughout the Calder Cup Final, taking a 3-1 series lead and had an opportunity to hoist the trophy on home ice in Game 5, but would fall in overtime and they headed to Charlotte for Game 6.

In Game 6 last night, the Canucks got goals from Sammy Blais, Danila Klimovich and as mentioned, Linus Karlsson, along with a 28-save performance from Arturs Silovs, which propelled the team to their first Calder Cup.

Now that the season is over, some big questions remain including where does Arturs Silovs play next season, as it's clear he's ready for a full-time role in the National Hockey League.