ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — The Abbotsford Canucks clinched their spot in the American Hockey League playoffs with a 3-1 victory over the Laval Rocket Sunday.

The Canucks reached the playoffs in their inaugural AHL season.

Jack Rathbone scored the go-ahead goal with 4:27 to play in the third period for the Canucks (32-21-5-1).

John Stevens secured the playoff-clinching win with a short-handed empty-netter. Sheldon Rempal scored a power-play goal in the first period.

Michael DiPietro stopped 32-of-33 shots.

Xavier Ouellet scored the lone goal for the Rocket (31-23-3-2), which got 21 saves from goalie Kevin Poulin.

The Canucks swept the weekend series in Abbotsford after easily downing Laval 6-1 on Saturday.

“It’s such a great feeling making playoffs, and I can’t be more proud of our group for what they have accomplished and all the adversity they faced," said Canucks coach Trent Cull.

"It's huge," added Rathbone. "That's been our goal ever since we got started here."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 3, 2022.