Sports
Abbotsford Canucks Punch Ticket to Calder Cup Finals After Gritty Game 7 Win
The Abbotsford Canucks are heading to the Calder Cup Finals after a gritty Game 7 win over the Texas Stars on Sunday night. It was a hard-fought series, with both teams trading blows across seven tightly contested games.
Captain Chase Wouters, who’s been with the Canucks since their first season in 2021-22, reflected on what the win meant for the team. He was named captain at just 22 and has grown into a key leader both on and off the ice.
“Yeah, it means everything. It’s been a goal of ours all year to get to this point, and obviously I’m really proud of everyone in that room,” said Wouters. “It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of effort throughout the year to get to this point. So, we’ll enjoy this one tonight. But there’s still lots of work ahead.”
Wouters holds the franchise record for games played and has seen the Abbotsford fan base grow alongside the team. That fan energy was on full display Sunday night, giving the players a noticeable lift.
The team’s chemistry has only strengthened during the playoff run, something General Manager Patrik Allvin has pointed to when talking about the culture being built in Abbotsford.
“We all love coming to the rink every day. That’s the main thing. This time of the year is about coming together as a team and being brothers for each other, and that’s what we’re building off right now. It’s quite the feeling, we’re all very proud of one another in there.”
Down 2–0 late in the second period, it was Arshdeep Bains who sparked the comeback with a key goal just before intermission.
“There is just so much belief in that room. Bainsy scores a massive goal with a minute left in the second and we came in the locker room and the whole mentality everyone’s saying, ‘we’re ending it right here, we’re going to get the next one,’ and then we’re going to find a way to finish it,” said Max Sasson.
The Canucks came out firing in the third, outshooting Texas 17–4, including a stretch of 16–1. Jujhar Khaira scored the tying goal early in the period—his third of the playoffs—sending the hometown crowd into a frenzy. Moments later, Sasson tipped in a point shot from Akito Hirose to put Abbotsford ahead for the first time all night.
“I’ve been pretty snake bitten. I’ve had a lot of shots, and for one finally to go in, in that moment, I feel like that’s how it always goes. It felt really good. And obviously it’s a massive goal for the team,” said Sasson.
“When we get a lead in the third, we’re a really hard team to break down with our structure. So that celebration, I just let it all out. It felt like the monkey was off my back, and the crowd was insane, the whole place. I kept on just looking around and was like ‘wow,’ that was so cool to see.”
Head coach Manny Malhotra pointed to the team’s depth as a difference-maker. He rolled four lines in the third period, and every player contributed during the final push.
“It’s obviously a huge step for us as a group, as an organization, and I’m happy to see the guys getting rewarded for the way they’re playing and their commitment to what we’re trying to do here,” said Malhotra.
He also gave a shoutout to the fans, who made the Abbotsford Centre a tough place to play throughout the postseason.
“I’ll say it again and again. Our group gets so much energy off the life in this building,” said Malhotra. “The fans have been outstanding throughout the entire playoff run. They’re a big part of our success. This atmosphere here to play in front of has been really special for the guys, and we’re looking to continue that.”
Next up: the Calder Cup Finals against the Charlotte Checkers, the Florida Panthers AHL affiliate. The Checkers’ roster includes a few familiar names—Will Lockwood and Aidan McDonough are both former Abbotsford players, though McDonough has been out since November. Zac Dalpe, who played for the Vancouver Canucks in 2013-14, has also been sidelined since December.
In net, Charlotte is led by 28-year-old Kaapo Kähkönen, who won gold with Finland at the 2016 World Junior Championships in Vancouver. He’s been sharp this postseason, posting a 10-2 record with a 1.73 GAA, .927 save percentage, and one shutout. The Checkers enter the Finals on an eight-game winning streak, having swept both the Division and Conference Finals.
Game 1 is set for Friday in Charlotte, with the series following a 2-3-2 format. The first two games will be on the road, with games three through five in Abbotsford. If necessary, games six and seven will return to Charlotte.
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Reveal 2026 “After Dark” Home Kit
Vancouver Rise FC has revealed its new “After Dark” home kit for the 2026 Northern Super League season, pulling inspiration straight from the natural setting that surrounds its home at Swangard Stadium.
The design pays tribute to Central Park in Burnaby, with visuals that reflect the quiet, layered beauty of the park at night. Tree silhouettes stretch across the kit, creating a sense of depth and movement—meant to mirror the experience of looking up through the canopy after dark.
The club says the concept ties closely to its motto, “Stronger by Nature,” grounding the team’s identity in the environment that surrounds it. The design blends all crest colours with added tones that bring warmth and balance, giving the kit a look that feels both rooted and refined. Paired with classic shorts and socks, it leans into tradition while still telling a clear local story.
A key detail returns on both the After Dark kit and the club’s secondary “Sunshine Kit” for 2026. A Gold Pointed Star sits on the left sleeve, marking Vancouver Rise FC as the inaugural champions of the Northern Super League. The patch represents the league’s top honour and signals the club’s early place in its history.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley praised the design and its connection to the community, pointing to the pride residents have in their parks and green spaces. He added that seeing Central Park reflected in the team’s identity makes the return to Swangard Stadium for the new season feel even more meaningful.
The After Dark kit leans heavily into place and atmosphere. It’s less about flash and more about identity—something that feels tied to where the team plays and who shows up for them.
Pre-orders for both the After Dark and Sunshine kits are now available through the club’s official store, with options for delivery or in-stadium pickup.
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Transfer Holly Ward to NWSL Side Seattle Reign FC
Vancouver Rise FC has made a major statement about its player development pathway. The club announced Friday that winger Holly Ward has been transferred to Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League for an undisclosed fee.
The move marks the first time a Rise FC Academy graduate has been transferred out of the club, setting a new benchmark for the organization and the broader Northern Super League.
Sporting director Stephanie Labbé called the transfer a defining moment. She pointed to Ward’s rise through the system as proof that the league is doing what it set out to do—create real opportunities for Canadian players.
Ward’s journey with the club began in 2018 when she joined the Rise FC Academy, then known as the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy. Seven years later, she returned home to sign her first professional deal ahead of the 2025 season.
The 22-year-old from North Vancouver wasted no time making an impact. She started 27 of 28 matches in her rookie campaign, scoring eight goals and adding five assists. Her biggest moment came in the league’s inaugural final, where she scored the winner in a 2–1 victory over AFC Toronto to secure the Diana B. Matheson Cup.
Speaking about the move, Ward described her time in Vancouver as a dream realized. Playing professionally in her hometown and helping deliver a championship made the experience hard to leave behind, though she expressed excitement about the next step in her career.
Her breakout season didn’t go unnoticed at the international level. Ward earned her first senior call-up to the Canadian women’s national team and made history on June 3 by becoming the first NSL player to score for Canada in a match against Haiti.
Head coach Anja Heiner-Møller praised Ward’s growth and character, highlighting her attacking ability, work ethic, and presence in the locker room. She noted that Ward’s development—from academy prospect to national team contributor—reflects the strength of the club’s environment.
The transfer is a significant step for Rise FC as it begins to participate in the global player market, something the club sees as key to long-term growth. It also reinforces the idea that young Canadian players can develop at home and still reach top leagues abroad.
Rise FC now turns its focus to the upcoming season. The club will open its 2026 campaign with a championship rematch against AFC Toronto on April 24 at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. PT.
Fans can purchase single-match tickets or explore package options, including season memberships that cover all 13 home games and flexible ticket bundles built around the home opener.