Canucks blow lead, lose in Calgary
CALGARY (CP) — After a slow start, it looks like Sam Bennett has finally found his groove.
Bennett scored the winner with 1:10 left in regulation and Matthew Tkachuk had a pair of goals as the Calgary Flames came from behind for a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.
On a determined individual effort, Bennett took the puck hard to the front of the net from the side boards and sent a backhand past Anders Nilsson, electrifying the home crowd.
“It was a big goal and I felt a lot of emotion there. After a tough start, it’s definitely nice to get one like that,” said Bennett, who has three goals and eight points in his last seven games.
The 21-year-old, who has been playing alongside rookie Mark Jankowski and a combination of Jaromir Jagr and Garnet Hathaway, has been especially hot on home ice with points in each of his last seven home games (4 goals, 6 assists) at Scotibank Saddledome. That streak began on Nov. 9 after he failed to pick up a point in the season’s first 15 games.
“His game was trending in the right direction and now he’s getting results,” said Flames coach Glen Gulutzan. “That’s a real good sign for our hockey club and it’s a great sign for Bennie.”
Tkachuk added his second of the night into an empty net as Calgary made it two games in a row that its come back to win after trailing to begin the third period.
“When it was 2-1 headed into the third, we realized we had a little bit of a hill to climb, but some big goals from key players there and a huge two points,” said goaltender Mike Smith, who was playing in his 500th career game.
Troy Brouwer also scored for Calgary (16-12-2). The Flames move two points ahead of the Canucks in the Pacific Division.
Jake Virtanen and Brock Boeser scored for Vancouver (14-12-4).
“We played a good game. We’re not getting the results right now but we’ve got to keep battling,” said Canucks centre Henrik Sedin.
Calgary pulled even at 11:34 of the third when Hathaway’s alert pass found Tkachuk in the slot and the 19-year-old sent a backhander into the top corner.
“You never want to miss a game,” said Tkachuk, who returned after serving a one-game suspension. “I was pumped when they pulled out the win in OT in Montreal. I thought I owed it to the guys to play my hardest tonight.”
Vancouver broke a 1-1 tie on a power play with 55 seconds remaining in the second period.
Cutting in off the wing, former Flame Markus Granlund put a slick centering pass right on the tape of Boeser, who neatly steered in his 15th goal.
“I’m really pleased with his game. We knew he had a real goalscoring touch and I know I keep saying it, but his play away from the puck is the part that probably impresses me more,” said Canucks coach Travis Green.
The impressive 20-year-old, who was the NHL’s rookie of the month for November, has 10 goals in his last 12 games. Virtanen opened the scoring 2:02 into the game.