Canucks’ rookies provide the spark in a win over the Coyotes
Posted October 30, 2015 10:20 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
GLENDALE, AZ (NEWS 1130) – First-year forwards Brendan Gaunce and Jared McCann scored in the first period and Richard Bachman made 29 saves in his first start with Vancouver, as the Canucks beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-3.
McCann opened the scoring less than two minutes in as he made a nice move in close before firing one past Mike Smith on the first shot of the game. That was his fifth goal of the season in his ninth game.
Alex Burrows extended the lead two-and-a-half minutes after the McCann goal. Burrows came in down the left side and put a shot on goal that fooled Smith and found a way in. That was the end of Smith’s night as he allowed two goals on three shots.
Gaunce made it 3-0 with his first career goal late in the opening period. Alex Edler’s point shot hit Gaunce’s skate and deflected in. Gaunce made his NHL debut on Thursday night in an overtime loss to the Dallas Stars.
Arizona pulled within one goal in the second period, as Max Domi and Steve Downie scored to cut the Canucks’ lead down to 3-2.
Daniel Sedin put Vancouver back up by two before the second period was up. He took a feed from Radim Vrbata and fired a slapshot past Anders Lindback for a powerplay marker.
Tobias Rieder tallied to get the Coyotes back within one late in the third period, but they weren’t able to put the equalizer past Bachman as the Canucks held on to earn two points.
Vancouver put up a 5-2-4 record in October, including a 4-0-1 record on the road. The Canucks return home to host the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.
