The 2021 NHL season is underway, and the Vancouver Canucks are looking to make some noise this year after a disappointing season the year prior. Vancouver opened the season Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers in Alberta, falling 3-2 in a shootout in a come from behind effort

The Canucks were behind the 8 ball early in the contest as this was a trend in the season prior being a struggle for the Canucks to come from behind. The Oilers would then go onto add another goal going up 2-0 against the Canucks heading into the third where things would start to pick up for the local squad.

The Canucks would answer back with a goal from newly acquired defensemen Oliver Ekman Larsson to cut the home teams lead in half. It would then shortly be followed up by another goal from a defenseman, but this time is was Canucks star and newly re-signed Quinn Hughes, as he caught Edmonton goaltender Mike Smith cheating off the post and put it short side for the tie sending the game to overtime.

After the extra frame there was still a score to be decided as the game moved onto a shootout. The Canucks got a goal from captain Bo Horvat, but it wasn’t enough as Vancouver native, Kyle Turris beat Thatcher Demko through the wickets to clinch the season opening victory for the Edmonton Oilers.

Even with the loss, Canucks head coach Travis Green had stated that he liked the Canucks overall game and effort despite coming up short tonight.

“ I thought overall it was a very fast hockey game, a hard working game, and battling back on the road to get a point. I was happy with our game. I didn’t like about 8 minutes of the first period, but I really liked our start and the rest of the game.”

The Canucks next contest takes place in Philadelphia as they take on their first American team since the pandemic caused the NHL and the world to shut down in early 2020 when they take on the Flyers. The Canucks will look to get on the winning track in Pennsylvania as they go onto the second game of a six-game road trip to start the season. With the Pacific division being wide open for the taking these early points and games are crucial to build momentum to qualify for the post season again.