A four-goal third period turned a tight game into a 4-1 Vancouver Canucks victory over the Calgary Flames. Calgary had the lead first, with Matt Coronado scoring on the power play, but Vancouver closed the night with a rally that included an empty-net goal by Ratu.
How the Game Played Out
The opening period began with chances at both ends, but the score remained tied at zero through the halfway point. Vancouver generated an early opportunity through the middle, while Calgary threatened on a rush and forced a save. A Canucks shot then struck the post or the underside of the crossbar, keeping the deadlock intact.
Calgary broke through on a power play. After a faceoff win, the puck went to Coronado, whose shot beat the goaltender over the shoulder. The Flames had the first goal, and the Canucks had to chase the game from there. Vancouver continued to press, including a Morgan Frost move toward the outside that produced another attempt, but Calgary held its advantage through the stretch covered in the highlights.
The game changed in the third. Vancouver scored four times in the period, transforming the one-goal deficit into a three-goal win. By the time Calgary was looking to respond, the Canucks had built a 3-1 lead. The highlights show a collision and a skirmish behind the play during that late stretch, but Vancouver’s attack continued. The final goal came with Calgary’s net empty: Carlson carried the puck forward and made an extra pass across to Ratu, who put it away for a 4-1 finish. The broadcast noted it was Ratu’s season debut and praised Carlson for choosing the pass rather than taking a chance himself.
That late surge was the difference. Calgary had managed the breakthrough on its power play, while Vancouver’s scoring arrived in a concentrated burst in the final period. The Canucks’ finish left the home crowd standing to salute the team after a comeback that had seemed a long way off when Coronado put the Flames in front.
What the Result Means
Vancouver takes the first round of the season series against Calgary, according to the broadcast. The 4-1 final gives the Canucks a strong result in their home game, while the Flames leave after surrendering four goals in the third period. No standings picture is established in the available game information, so the clearest immediate measure is the head-to-head result and the way Vancouver finished.
The schedule offers little pause. Calgary is set to play in Seattle tomorrow, while Vancouver is home to Vegas. The Canucks will carry the confidence of a decisive late rally into that matchup, and the Flames will have to turn quickly to their next game.
Watch the Highlights
The video captures Calgary’s power-play opener, the chances that kept the first period close, and Vancouver’s late scoring surge. Watch the highlights below for the key plays, including Carlson’s unselfish setup for Ratu’s empty-net goal.
Final Score: Vancouver Canucks 4, Calgary Flames 1.
Final Score: Seattle Kraken 6, Calgary Flames 1.
Source: NHL highlights video transcript