Vancouver Canucks show promise in the pre-season against the Calgary Flames

SHAYLENE TIELMANN/ GATG

September 24, 2025 marked the second game of the Vancouver Canucks pre-season. Game 1 the Canucks faced off against the Seattle Kraken, but fell short in a 5-3 loss. 

The Canucks looked to battle back against the Calgary Flames at the Abbotsford Centre for game 2, their first home ice advantage of the pre-season. 

Rookie Tom Willander suited up for his first game on home ice as a Vancouver Canuck, and was looking to prove himself in front of the hometown crowd. 

The starting lineup fell to the 2025 Calder Cup Champions and Abbotsford Canucks players; Arshdeep Bains, Linus Karlsson, Victor Mancini, Max Sasson, and Kirill Kudryavtsev. 

Each of these players were integral to the Abbotsford Canucks season and playoff run. They are also fan favourites, receiving deafening cheers from the hometown fans. 

Thatcher Demko started in net for the game, making this his first appearance in the pre-season, as Nikita Tolopilo and Ty Young played in net against the Kraken. 

The first period started slow, with players lacking a sense of urgency in the plays, however, the energy picked up when Nils Höglander opened the scoring on a power play. He was assisted Willander and Aatu Rӓty. Giving Willander his first point in Canuck colours. 

The Canucks continued to build momentum off the goal, battling hard and driving the puck down into the Flames zone. 

Victor Mancini proved himself as a key defensive player throughout the game, and secured the second goal of the night. This would also be his second goal of the pre-season as he opened the Canucks scoring against the Kraken.

The goal was assisted by Abbotsford Canucks teammates Linus Karlsson and Arshdeep Bains. This would also be the only goal scored at full strength for both teams. 

The physicality began to pick up with both the Canucks and Flames taking penalties for roughing. Both teams managed successful penalty kills. 

Filip Chytil took a penalty, which the fans at the Abbotsford Centre did not agree with, however, the Canucks played hard and kept the score 2-0. 

Marcus Petterson took a penalty at the end of the first, which put the Canucks back on the penalty kill to start the second period. 

The Canucks managed another successful penalty kill to start the second. The passion and energy in the arena remained high from both fans and players alike. 

Chytil took advantage of another Canucks power play scoring the third goal of the night. He was assisted by Kudryatsev and Willander, securing Willander his second point of the night. 

Karlsson ended up serving a penalty for too many men on the ice, which led to the Flames scoring their first goal of the night. Making the game 3-1 heading into the third period. 

Tolopilo took over the net at the start of the third, and looked to keep the game with only 1 goal against. 

Vilmer Alriksson took an interference penalty at the start of the third, but the Canucks managed to successfully kill it. 

Joseph LaBate took his second penalty of the night for holding. The Canucks continued to dominate on the penalty kill, ending the game with a 5-1 penalty kill ratio. 

In the final few minutes of the game the Flames pulled their goalie, however, with a 1:17 remaining in the third the Canucks went back to the power play, they were not able to capitalize, but secured a 3-1 victory over the Flames. 

Standout players of the night were Höglander (though he had to exit the game early due to injury), Chytil, Mancini, Willander, Demko and Tolopilo. Chytil set up some incredible plays and led the team well throughout the night. Mancini continued to play strong on defense, while also taking risks with his shots. Willander stepped up and was a key player in 2 of the 3 goals scored. Demko minded the net well in his return to the line-up, and Tolopilo stepped up in the third, making some remarkable saves to keep the Canucks on top. 

The Vancouver Canucks next pre-season game takes place on Friday, September 26, at Rogers Arena against the Seattle Kraken. The second matchup between these 2 teams will begin at 7 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.