Jesse Puljujärvi scored 15:22 into overtime to lift the Charlotte Checkers to a 4-3 victory over the Abbotsford Canucks in Game 5 of the Calder Cup Final at Abbotsford Centre.
Puljujärvi’s centering pass from behind the net caromed off two Abbotsford defenders and found its way past a stunned Artūrs Šilovs to send the series back to Charlotte with the Canucks still leading three games to two.
Matt Kiersted and Justin Sourdif drew the assists on the game-winning goal.
Ben Steeves, Brett Chorske and Rasmus Asplund scored in regulation for Charlotte and Kaapo Kähkönen finished 29 saves, including eight in overtime.
In addition to his goal, Puljujärvi set up Chorske’s marker. Jack Devine, Oliver Okuliar, Eamon Powell and John Leonard also were credited with assists in the season-saving win.
Linus Karlsson scored twice and Arshdeep Bains tallied a goal and an assist for the Canucks.
Game 6 will be Monday night at Bojangles Coliseum.