The Vancouver Canucks kicked off their pre-season yesterday. The team took part in split squad games with the Calgary Flames. One was played locally at Rogers Arena the other was at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.

Here in Vancouver, the Canucks trailed the Flames 2-0 heading into the third period but ultimately came back and tied the game. Vasily Podkolzin scored eight minutes into the frame to bring it within one. Then with 1:31 left Conor Garland tied it up to force overtime.

The Canucks fell 3-2 in OT. Expected backup goaltender Spencer Martin started the game and allowed two goals on 25 shots. AHL starter Arturs Silovs replaced him halfway through the game. Silovs stopped 19 of 20 shots he faced but took the loss on the overtime goal by Michael Stone.

Free agent acquisition Ilya Mikheyev left the game in the second period with an injury and did not return.

Vancouver Canucks forward Ilya Mikheyev will not return to tonight's game.

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 26, 2022

The extent of the injury is yet to be reported.

The game in Calgary wasn’t as close. The Flames took that one by a score of 4-0. Goaltender Colin Delia allowed three goals on 24 shots, he played the first two periods.

Michael DiPietro relieved Delia to start the third period. He stopped six out of seven.

A pair of new Flames got the scoring started. Jonathan Huberdeau and Cody Eakin scored less than two minutes apart early in the second and Calgary never looked back.

Blake Coleman added a third goal late in the second and Brett Sutter scored in the third.

The Flames out shot the Canucks 31-19 and carried the play for most of the night. Defenceman Travis Dermott led all Canucks players with 22:49 of ice time. New Canuck and BC boy Curtis Lazar led the forwards with 19:13.

Next up for the Canucks is a matchup with the Seattle Kraken at Rogers center on Thursday.