Vancouver Canucks defenceman Filip Hronek scored a power-play goal with 11 seconds remaining in overtime to cap a four-goal comeback and defeat the Anaheim Ducks 6-5 on Tuesday night, ending a 10-game losing streak.
Filip Hronek Wins It in Overtime
Filip Hronek tallied the game-winner with 11 seconds left on the clock in the extra frame, finishing off a sequence that began when Jonathan Lekkerimäki drew a high-sticking penalty from Beckett Sennecke. On the ensuing power play, Lekkerimäki fed Hronek for the decisive one-timer. The victory marks just the third win of the season for Vancouver, moving their record forward as they prepare to visit the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
Jonathan Lekkerimäki Sparks Late Regulation Rally
Trailing 5-2 late in the third period, the Canucks mounted an unexpected offensive surge. AJ Greer had given Anaheim a three-goal cushion at 7:37 of the final frame, but Jamie Oleksiak answered just 31 seconds later to make it 5-3. Canucks Army noted that with the goaltender pulled, AJ Greer committed a turnover in his own end, feeding Jonathan Lekkerimäki for a wrist shot past goaltender Lukas Dostal to cut the deficit to 5-4. Less than a minute later, with 1:57 remaining in regulation, Lekkerimäki struck again, rifling another shot past Dostal to tie the game 5-5 and force overtime.
Anaheim Builds Four-to-One Lead Through Two Periods
Jeff Malott opened the scoring when a pass from Jackson LaCombe was redirected behind goaltender Leevi Meriläinen. In the second period, Vancouver tied it 1-1 at 6:36 when Liam Ohgren’s attempted centering pass deflected off Anaheim defenceman Tristan Luneau’s skate and into his own net, as detailed by NHL.com. Anaheim answered 30 seconds later as Jackson LaCombe set up Jeff Malott for a crease-front tip-in. Power-play tallies by Beckett Sennecke—deflecting a Cutter Gauthier shot—and Leo Carlsson extended the Ducks’ advantage to 4-1 before the second intermission.
🎥: The @Canucks comeback! From being down 5-2 to winning it 6-5 in overtime, what a performance! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/3eN95goL7w
Bob Quenneville Laments Blown Lead After Terrible Loss
Anaheim head coach Bob Quenneville expressed frustration with his club’s late-game management after surrendering the multi-goal lead. That was a terrible loss,
Quenneville said, according to NHL.com. You know, 5-2 and we’re in a pretty good spot. Not a pretty good spot, we should have had to seal the win. I think we do some things that come back to haunt us after a night like tonight. Giving them some life with some plays that we make with possession and, all of a sudden, they go the other way, or it’s in our net.
Across the matchup, Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal stopped 27 shots, while Vancouver netminder Leevi Meriläinen turned aside 18 shots. Anaheim defenceman Jackson LaCombe recorded three assists in the losing effort, and Elias Pettersson chipped in two assists for Vancouver.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Matchup
When and where did the Canucks play their next game?
Following Tuesday’s game, the Vancouver Canucks travel to face the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, while the Anaheim Ducks host the Buffalo Sabres on the same night.
How many saves did Lukas Dostal and Leevi Meriläinen record?
Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal stopped 27 shots, and Canucks netminder Leevi Meriläinen made 18 saves during the 6-5 overtime contest.
What was the length of the losing streak Vancouver ended?
The 6-5 comeback victory snapped a 10-game losing streak for the Vancouver Canucks, marking only their third win of the season.
IT WAS 5-2 🤯THE CANUCKS WIN IT 6-5 IN @ENERGIZER OT THANKS TO FILIP HRONEK! pic.twitter.com/ZQC9wrkjdw