Just because the Carolina Hurricanes’ season is done doesn’t mean that there won’t be hockey played in June in North Carolina.
The Charlotte Checkers are heading to their first Calder Cup Final in franchise history after Morgan Geekie scored 1:52 into the second overtime on Sunday, giving the Checkers a 4-3 win over the Toronto Marlies and a 4-2 series win. It’s the first conference title for the Hurricanes franchise’s affiliate since 1991, when the Springfield Indians won the Calder Cup as the AHL affiliate of the Hartford Whalers.
Geekie‘s goal, very similar to the one that Brock McGinn scored for the Hurricanes in Game 7 against Washington six weeks ago, was not without controversy, as the puck had gone into the netting undetected by the officials about 30 seconds before the goal was scored.