Canucks Edge Ducks 3-2 with Late Goals in Suspenseful Match

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — The Vancouver Canucks secured a narrow 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night at Rogers Arena. Jake DeBrusk, Teddy Blueger, and Carson Soucy each netted goals for the Canucks, who rallied back after trailing earlier in the game.

DeBrusk opened the scoring in the second period, registering his team-leading 22nd goal of the season on a power play just 1:05 into the period. Vancouver continued to gain momentum as Blueger put the Canucks ahead with his first goal since December 19 at the 10:33 mark. Soucy sealed the deal late in the second period with a one-timer, making it 3-1 before the intermission.

Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen made 14 saves, and defenseman Filip Hronek contributed two assists in the winning effort. “Depth scoring is just always important, especially when you’re trying to make a run here,” Soucy said after the game. The Canucks improved to a 2-4-0 record since the All-Star break.

The Ducks, who are fifth in the Pacific Division, scored first with Sam Colangelo‘s goal at 13:21 of the first period. Colangelo deflected a point shot to give Anaheim an early advantage. However, after losing starting goalie John Gibson to injury in the second period, the Ducks struggled to keep pace.

Gibson had made 19 stops before leaving the game following a collision with Canucks forward Drew O’Connor. “It was just unfortunate,” said backup Lukas Dostal, who came in and saved 14 shots. Ducks coach Greg Cronin noted, “I didn’t really see the collision… he was obviously hurt.”

Gibson’s injury proved pivotal for Anaheim, as the team struggled offensively, managing only five shots in the first period compared to Vancouver’s 17. “We weren’t good. We didn’t have a lot of energy,” Cronin assessed. “Clearly they were charged up, and they dictated the pace of the game immediately.”

Vancouver’s third goal from Soucy was subject to a challenge for goaltender interference, but after video review, officials determined that an Anaheim player had caused the interference. The Ducks came close to evening the score when Brian Dumoulin scored at 13:27 in the third, but the Canucks managed to hold off the late surge.

The win was critical for Vancouver, which is still in the mix for the final Western Conference playoff spot, tied in points with the Calgary Flames but trailing due to fewer wins. Blueger expressed his relief at contributing to the team’s success, stating, “Big goals from Teddy and [Soucy] as well… it’s nice to get rewarded.”

Both teams will next play on Friday night, with Anaheim hosting the St. Louis Blues and Vancouver facing off against the Minnesota Wild.