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
Toronto Tempo Could Make WNBA Attendance History in Montreal
The Toronto Tempo are on the verge of making WNBA history when they bring their Cross-Canada Series to Montreal next month.
The Tempo will face the Atlanta Dream at the Bell Centre on July 10, with the possibility of setting a new attendance record for a WNBA game. If the game sells out, more than 22,000 fans would fill the arena, surpassing the current WNBA regular-season attendance record of 20,711 set by the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena in 2024.
A packed Bell Centre would also eclipse the WNBA playoff attendance record of 22,076, which was established during Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals between the Detroit Shock and Los Angeles Sparks before being matched in Game 5 of the 2007 WNBA Finals between the Phoenix Mercury and Detroit Shock. It would mark the largest crowd ever for a professional women’s basketball regular-season game, breaking the previous record of 21,490 set during an Unrivaled game in Philadelphia earlier this year.
The potential milestone comes during the Tempo‘s inaugural WNBA season and would add another chapter to the continued growth of women’s basketball in Canada.
“Playing two games in Montreal this summer is a huge moment for the Tempo and for basketball in Canada,” said Tempo President Teresa Resch. “From the beginning, we’ve said we want to be Canada’s team, and bringing the WNBA to Montreal is an important part of that vision. There is such a strong and passionate basketball community in Quebec, and we’re excited to connect with fans there in a meaningful way. We can’t wait to experience the energy inside the Bell Centre and continue growing the game across the country together.”
The Cross-Canada Series will offer more than basketball. Throughout the weekend, the Tempo will host community events, youth programs and fan experiences aimed at growing the sport across Quebec.
The team is partnering with Ball Her Way and the Mathurin Family Foundation to increase access to basketball for young athletes, including a girls’ 3-on-3 tournament presented by Canadian Tire featuring teams from Montreal and Quebec City. The Tempo say more community investments and programming in the Montreal area will be announced in the coming months.
Fans can take part in Tempo Live at the Bell Centre on July 11. The free event will include interactive basketball activities, community clinics, exclusive merchandise and family-friendly entertainment.
The weekend concludes on July 12, when the Tempo host the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty at the Bell Centre at 3 p.m. ET as part of the Cross-Canada Series.
Tickets for both Montreal games are available through Ticketmaster.
Sports
Toronto Tempo Unveil Bold “Rebel” Uniform Ahead of Inaugural Home Opener
The Toronto Tempo have revealed their new “Rebel” edition uniform, giving fans a first look at the alternate jersey the team will wear during its inaugural WNBA season.
The unveiling comes just ahead of the Tempo’s first-ever home opener and marks another milestone for the league’s newest franchise as it continues to establish its identity on and off the court.
The Rebel uniform is part of the WNBA’s league-wide alternate jersey program, which encourages each franchise to create a design that reflects its values, community, and culture. For the Tempo, that vision extends beyond Toronto.
The front of the jersey features “Tempo” across the chest, reinforcing the organization’s message that, while the club calls Toronto home, it represents basketball fans across Canada. The design is centered around the team’s secondary “T” logo, with speed lines extending outward to symbolize movement, pace, and the style of play the Tempo hope to bring to the court.
The uniform is finished in Borealis Blue, offering a cool contrast to the team’s signature Tempo Bordeaux colour. Flowing lines throughout the shorts are meant to capture the rhythm and motion of basketball, creating a look that emphasizes speed and constant movement.
The jersey also highlights two of the franchise’s founding partners. Beauty retailer Sephora appears on the shoulder, while CIBC’s logo is featured on the front of the jersey.
“The Rebel uniform is where we push boundaries and fully express who we are as the Toronto Tempo,” said Whitney Bell, the team’s Chief Marketing Officer, in a statement. “It’s bold, unapologetic, and rooted in the energy of our city. Every detail is designed to celebrate individuality, creativity, and the next generation of athletes and fans redefining the game. This jersey isn’t just something you wear—it’s a statement about where we’re going.”
Fans won’t have to wait long to get their own. The Toronto Tempo’s Rebel jersey is available now through the team’s online store (shop.torontotempo.com) as excitement continues to build for the franchise’s first season in the WNBA.