Pius Suter scores twice, helps Canucks rally past Jackets

Field Level Media|published: Sat 7th December, 01:07 2024

Dec 6, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) stick checks Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (9) during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Pius Suter scored twice in the third period and Brock Boeser collected one goal and one assist as the host Vancouver Canucks erased a two-goal deficit en route to a 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.

Kiefer Sherwood and Jake DeBrusk also scored for the Canucks, who are riding a 5-1-1 run. Vancouver goaltender Kevin Lankinen made 30 saves and Quinn Hughes collected two assists.

Mathieu Olivier and Damon Severson scored for the Blue Jackets, who are on a three-game skid. Columbus goalie Elvis Merzlikins stopped 12 shots.

With the score tied at 2-2, Suter gave the Canucks their first lead of the night at the 2:17 mark of the third period when he scored from the slot.

DeBrusk continued his hot streak with a power-play goal just past the midway point of the final frame, deflecting a point shot for his 12th of the season and sixth in a four-game spree.

Suter's empty-net goal with 65 seconds remaining, his 11th of the season, rounded out the scoring.

The Blue Jackets took a 2-0 lead with a dominant first period. Olivier opened the scoring at the 7:10 mark, netting his eighth of the season, and Severson doubled the lead with 7:42 left in the period with his sixth of the season.

The Canucks were outshot 17-2 in the first period but flipped the momentum in the second period.

Boeser put Vancouver on the board at 3:52 of the second period when he smacked a one-timer from just beyond the right faceoff dot for his seventh of the season.

Sherwood drew the Canucks even with one minute remaining in the second period, taking advantage of an errant Merzlikins clearing attempt for his seventh goal of the campaign, setting the stage for the comeback.

Canucks' No. 1 goalie Thatcher Demko, who has been out of action since suffering a knee injury late last season, returned as a backup Friday.

Columbus defenseman Ivan Provorov left the game early in the second period after being tripped by Elias Pettersson and sliding into the boards.

--Field Level Media

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