The AHL playoffs wrapped itself up Saturday night with the Charlotte Checkers, the Carolina Hurricanes affiliate, winning it all. The Checkers defeated the Chicago Wolves in five games of the Calder Cup Finals to lift the trophy for the first time in franchise history. As warming a story it is for the franchise, it comes with a side of bitterness as the Montreal Canadiens can’t seem to get the Laval Rocket anywhere close to that finale.
The last time a Habs affiliate won the Calder Cup was back in 2007. Similar to the Charlotte, the Hamilton Bulldogs did away with the Hershey Bears in five games to claim it’s championship.