NHL: New York Rangers at Vancouver Canucks - Source: Imagn — Rick Tocchet reflects on Vancouver Canucks' 3-2 loss to Utah (Source: Imagn)

Rick Tocchet makes his feelings known after Vancouver Canucks squander 2-0 lead in OT loss to Utah HC

Modified Dec 19, 2024 07:40 GMT

Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet expressed hs frustration after a 3-2 overtime loss to Utah Hockey Club at Delta Center on Wednesday. Mikhail Sergachev scored with 12 seconds left in overtime after Logan Cooley had passed him the puck on a 2-on-1 break. The win was Utah's third straight, ending a five-game home losing streak.

Clayton Keller scored a goal and had an assist in the game. Keller's goal came at 9:02 of the third period, pulling Utah within 2-1 after a rebound from Nick Schmaltz. Dylan Guenther tied the game at 2-2 on the power play at 15:30. His shot went off Teddy Blueger and past Vancouver goalie Thatcher Demko.

The Canucks took a 2-0 lead in the third period. Danton Heinen scored a power-play goal at 12:39 of the second period. Dakota Johnson added another goal on a breakaway at 2:45 of the third, assisted by Blueger.

Tocchet said that the team responded well in the second period but should have locked down the game when up 2-0.

"I didn't like our first but we responded well in the second, really, up 2-0, you got to lock it down," Tocchet said.

He added that the loss should be a learning experience.

"Well, just got to lock these games down, (when we’re up) 2-0. You got to stay with it. Every game is a learning lesson."

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The Canucks have now lost four of their last six games. Despite the loss, Tocchet believes the team can learn from these losses.

Vancouver Canucks beat the Avalanche 3-1 with Kiefer Sherwood's hat-trick on Monday

Before the Utah defeat, the Vancouver Canucks had won 3-2 against the Colorado Avalanche at Rogers Arena. Kiefer Sherwood scored a natural hat-trick and carried the Canucks offense into the game.

Sherwood’s first goal came at 16:14 in the first period. After a forecheck, Danton Heinen passed the puck across the net. Sherwood scored off the rebound, making it 1-0.

In the second period, he scored a short-handed goal at 16:04. He intercepted a pass from Nathan MacKinnon and scored with a wrist shot, making it 2-0.

Thatcher Demko made key saves, including stopping Cale Makar’s power-play shot and Valeri Nichushkin’s rebound attempt early in the second. Sherwood completed his hat trick at 17:25 in the third period, scoring into an empty net to make it 3-0.

Nichushkin scored for the Avalanche with 46 seconds left, but it wasn't enough as Vancouver won 3-1.

Vancouver, with a record of 16 wins, nine losses and six overtime losses, face the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. PST. The Canucks have a strong away record of 10 wins, two losses and two overtime losses. The Golden Knights hold a record of 20 wins, eight losses and three overtime losses, with an impressive home record of 11 wins and three losses.