Canucks Player Grades: Serving up double fault in 5-2 loss to Flames

Breadcrumb Trail Links

Losing to club playing back-to-backs, and showing more push and resolve, won’t move fan meter. Either will horrible 3-7-1 home mark

Get the latest from Ben Kuzma straight to your inbox Sign Up

Published Nov 23, 2025 • Last updated 10 hours ago • 5 minute read

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

Kevin Bahl #7 of the Calgary Flames runs into goalie Kevin Lankinen of the Vancouver Canucks as he skates through the crease during the first period at Rogers Arena on Sunday night. Photo by Rich Lam /Getty ImagesArticle content

The Vancouver Canucks just had to hold serve Sunday.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account

Article content

A methodical and rare home-ice victory over the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena would be the icing on the cake of a superlative professional sporting weekend in the city.

Article content

With the Vancouver Goldeneyes winning their inaugural Professional Women’s Hockey League game Friday before a packed Pacific Coliseum, and the Vancouver Whitecaps following Saturday with a dramatic penalty kicks triumph at sold-out B.C. Place to advance to the Major League Soccer conference final, the Canucks had to keep pace.

The NHL club needed to remind everyone, and maybe themselves, of their place atop the popularity podium that’s also being challenged by the B.C. Lions, who nearly advanced to the Grey Cup. Lots of options to spend the sporting dollar.

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Nothing sells better than winning and a 5-2 loss against a club playing back-to-backs, and showing more push and resolve, isn’t going to move the fan meter. Either is a horrible 3-7-1 record at home and 9-12-2 mark overall. Is it the mental hurdle of putting on a show or something more significant?

“I don’t think it’s anything, honestly,” Canucks head coach Adam Foote told Postmedia before puck drop. “We go back and dissect it, who was in net, who was hurt, or what injury happened. We can do all that, but to me, it’s a waste of time.

“I’m not being disrespectful of anyone, and if I think it’s a problem, I’ll tell you. Sometimes, teams I’ve been on get too cute at home and try the extra move and get jammed up early. Maybe, you’re on to something. Maybe dig deeper. It’s too early in the year, and with the injuries, we’ll keep eye on it for sure.”

Canucks Report

Thanks for signing up!

Article content

Advertisement 4

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Those eyes should be open a lot wider. After all, it’s not like the Canucks didn’t know what to expect from a division rival.

“Every time we’ve got them on the back end of a back-to-back they come out strong with a will to work,” added Foote. “If we want to mess around in our own end and try the extra pass, they’re going to keep pushing and digging. We have to manage the puck and respect them.

“They fight.”

And where was that fight from the Canucks? Their 31 goals at home only ranks 22nd overall and the 42 they’ve surrendered is fifth worst in the entire league.

“We did have a good start and if we had capitalized on a couple of more chances, but they got pucks to the net and beat us on rebounds,” Foote said post game. “That’s their game. They’re going to throw pucks to the blue paint.

Advertisement 5

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

“Petey’s line has been good, but tonight they didn’t have a lot of zip and with Drew (O’Connor) holding on to pucks, I thought he could give them a little bit more. But when you’re down that much in the third it’s tough to come back in this league. We tried. I wasn’t too happy where we were going in the third.

“We’ve got to get some dirty goals and maybe it will be a different situation going into the third.”

Joel Farabee of the Calgary Flames tries to fight off the check of Elias Pettersson during the first period Photo by Rich Lam /Getty Images

You name it and it was a problem Sunday.

A simple inability to rim a puck out led to a scoring sequence to erase an early 1-0 lead. Sloppy down-low coverage just 35 seconds later and it was 2-1. Add a shot going in off the skate of Tom Willander and an unattended Flame swatting home a rebound from the slot.

And, just for good measure, a Flames short-handed goal in the third period. The Flames got their breaks but they also worked harder to get pucks to the net.

Advertisement 6

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Quinn Hughes logged a monster 30:05 and was at a loss to explain why the Canucks are struggling on home ice.

“I don’t know,” said the Canucks captain. “I have no idea. I know everyone is trying hard. Obviously, not the result we wanted, Really good first, but they had three power plays in the second and it just fell apart a bit.

Tyler Myers went one better.

“We got away from getting pucks behind them and with our forecheck,” he said. “And then we came out in the third and were chasing the game and it’s tough being down three. We have to regroup, find ways to be consistent and be harder on the puck.

“Second and third, not our best hockey. We came out strong, and for whatever reason, we just lost it.”

Brock Boeser tries to get his stick on the rebound after goalie Dustin Wolf of the Calgary Flames made the initial save during the second period Photo by Rich Lam /Getty ImagesREPORT CARDS

Evander Kane (C)

Had some good drip toward the net off flanks and even around the net. One shot, nine attempts.

Advertisement 7

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Elias Pettersson (C)

Given second-line matchup for better looks, but couldn’t muster anything. Only 6-for-22 in circle.

Jake DeBrusk (C+)

Couldn’t bury sweet drop pass from Hughes, missed Grade A from slot, breakaway chance.

Brock Boeser (C)

A couple of decent looks but nothing that moved the meter. Three shots and six attempts.

David Kampf (C)

Not sure what to make of him. Deployed on penalty kill. No shots. Won six of nine draws.

Conor Garland

Quiet night for a mighty mite who usually has it going. Rallied for two shots, seven attempts.

Drew O’Connor (C)

Tried to get something started, took roughing penalty, moved up lineup, but no shots.

Aatu Raty (C)

Made his expected impact in the face-off circle by winning nine of his 11 draws.

Advertisement 8

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Kiefer Sherwood (C)

As many giveaways (2) as hits (2) and that’s just not his game. Lacked the usual fire.

Mackenzie MacEachern (C)

Must be better on forecheck. Not getting there quick enough to hit, disrupt breakouts.

Max Sasson (C-)

Has wheels but minus-2 rating with no shots isn’t going to gain the trust of coach.

Linus Karlsson (C+)

More confident two-way player. Broke up neutral-zone play, sped away for tip chance.

Quinn Hughes (B+)

Monster 9:44 in first, finished with 30:05. Potted own rebound. Six shots, eight attempts.

Tyler Myers (C)

Failed to rim puck out of own zone, picked off, point shot deflected. 1-1. Two blocks.

Marcus Pettersson (C)

Paired with Hronek for stability. Blew tire to send Coleman in alone. Struggled positionally.

Advertisement 9

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Filip Hronek (B)

Jumped into odd-man rush, looked off Kane, picked short side to open scoring. Three blocks.

Elias (Junior) Pettersson (C+)

Did best work on penalty kill. Played physical, smartly put clears off glass. Three blocks.

Tom Willander (C)

Lots of giddy-up, but lost coverage on goal, had another go off his skate. Switched pairings.

Kevin Lankinen (C-)

Three goals on first 11 shots, including tip, one off skate. Then tip, juicy rebound. Bad night.

bkuzma@postmedia.com

Canucks’ Lukas Reichel look appears over

Canucks Coffee: How hockey lifer Mackenzie MacEachern survives, got name on Stanley Cup

Article content

Share this article in your social network

Canucks Player Grades: Serving up double fault in 5-2 loss to Flames

Tags: