NHL: Vancouver Canucks at Arizona Coyotes - Source: Imagn — HC Rick Tocchet said about first period in combeack win - Source: Imagn

Canucks HC Rick Tocchet makes his feelings known about first period in comeback win

Modified Dec 07, 2024 11:00 GMT

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet shared his thoughts about his team's poor first-period performance in their comeback 5-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night at Rogers Arena.

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The Canucks were thoroughly outplayed in the opening frame, getting outshot 17-2 by the Blue Jackets who held a 2-0 lead heading into the second period. Despite the dreadful start, Vancouver scored five unanswered goals to secure the victory.

When asked about the first-period, Tocchet did not mince words.

"I mean, you're you're happy, scrappy, like I said. But, you know, tough first period. I think we got it. We got to start learning if we don't have our legs. I mean, whatever. Come back.” Tocchet said via NHL.com.

Tocchet dismissed fatigue as a factor as Columbus was playing three games in four nights.

"You can't use that excuse," he emphasized.

“I just thought that we just didn't manage the game. A lot of turnovers. You can't do that when you when you're not, I noticed if you're ready...

“So you know, kudos to the guys coming back, some key guys making some good plays for but I think that first period we got, we got to learn from it," he added.

With the win, Vancouver improves its record to 5-1-1 over their last seven games, also picking up their first home victory since Nov. 16 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Pius Suter scored twice while Brock Boeser, Kiefer Sherwood and Jake DeBrusk added singles for the Canucks. Mathieu Olivier and Damon Severson scored for Columbus. Elvis Merzlikins stopped 12 shots in the defeat.

Canucks HC Rick Tocchet on goaltender Kevin Lankinen's performance

Rick Tocchet had high praise for goaltender Kevin Lankinen following the Vancouver Canucks' 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets. Lankinen was excellent in net, making 30 saves on 32 shots faced.

“We're down 2-0, and he just keeps battling.I mean, how can you not love the kid? He just battled and battled gave us a chance, we get that goal and everyone kind of breathed a little bit so it kind of helped us,” Tocchet said of Lankinen's performance.

Lankinen and the Canucks will look to keep rolling when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Rogers Arena on Sunday.