Miller solid in mop-up duty for Lack

CALGARY — One positive aspect of the Vancouver Canucks’ goaltending change Tuesday was that the mocking chants of “Miller, Miller, Miller” sounded a lot like “Hiller, Hiller, Hiller.”

So at least Ryan Miller, who played the final two periods of a crushing 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames, could pretend the hostile crowd was merely supporting Flames’ goalie Jonas Hiller. There was no ambiguity in the chants of “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie,” which may not be heard again in this National Hockey League playoff series.

Eddie Lack, the sophomore backup goalie who helped get the Canucks to the playoffs after Miller suffered torn knee ligaments on Feb. 22, was hooked by Vancouver coach Willie Desjardins for allowing three goals on seven shots in the first period when the Flames bolted to a 3-1 lead despite being badly outplayed at even-strength.

“I’m disappointed I had to go in in that situation,” Miller said.

“I felt Eddie has been playing really well. For me, I was just trying to settle back into the intensity and the game. (Quickness) is something I’ve been working on every day to make sure I’m improving on the off-chance they needed me as an option. I didn’t want to go in in this kind of situation. You feel for Eddie. I just tried to do the best I could there.”

Deemed too rusty to start the playoffs after only one trial game on the final night of the regular season, Miller stopped all 15 shots he faced on Tuesday and seems likely to start in Game 5 Thursday at Rogers Arena when the Canucks try to avoid being eliminated by the Flames.

Lack had no chance on powerplay goals by Johnny Gaudreau and Jiri Hudler, but got his angle dreadfully wrong on a 3-on-2 goal credited to Sam Bennett.

It was a killer goal, coming at 19:18 of the opening period and putting the Canucks two down.

“It’s not on Eddie,” Canuck defenceman Dan Hamhuis said.

“He has done really well for us, made key saves and kept us in games. You feel bad for him; no one wants to be pulled. Whether the goals were his fault or not, it’s a tough situation for a young goalie. He’s done a lot to feel good about himself, too.”