The Canucks faced off against the Detroit Red Wings this Saturday for the third game on their 6 game road trip. Vancouver’s victory over The Philadelphia Flyers was short lived, losing to The Red Wings 3-1. The Red Wings coming into the game were winless in the regular season after an overtime loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Both teams during the start of the game came out the gates battling. The Canucks worked the puck better than their previous game, creating multiple shot opportunities, but weren’t able to finish near the net. However it was The Red Wings that took the early lead with less than 9 minutes to go in the first period. Robby Fabbri redirected a shot from the blue line into Vancouver’s net.
BUT HOW? 🤯
@ConorGarland2 with the impossible angle for his for first #Canucks goal. pic.twitter.com/M3Wu899Se2
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) October 17, 2021
The Canucks coming into the second period performed in a similar style compared to their last two games, looking lively and focused. The Canucks were able to get on the board and answer back to The Red Wings’ goal in the first. Vancouver’s Conor Garland sped around the back of the net to bury the puck into the top corner to tie the game.
However 2 minutes later The Red Wings on a power play answered back with another goal of their own. Filip Zadina with a one-timer sent a bullet flying to the back of Vancouver’s net. The Canucks had a chance to tie it back up with minutes left in the second when Garland and Höglander caught a turnover and dove down towards the Red Wings net, but Red Wings goaltender, Thomas Greiss made an exceptional save.
Greiss made 40 saves shutting down The Canucks’ offence for the greater part of the game. In the third period Greiss was a brick wall, keeping The Canucks at bay. With 58 seconds left Red Wings’ Sam Gagner scored an empty net goal.
“No matter how many shots you take, you don’t always get the win. It’s about how you bounce back in the next one.”
🗣 Horvat gives his take on the team’s performance#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/xIznNQ5SVp
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) October 17, 2021
“If we [The Canucks] want a fighting chance in the second half of the road trip, we have to play more consistent hockey,” said Vancouver Canucks GM, Jim Benning.
The Canucks are heading to Buffalo for game 4 of their six game road trip to play the Sabres on Tuesday.