Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet made a strong 5-word admission after his team’s loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Discover what he said and how the Ducks staged their impressive comeback.

© Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images Head coach Rick Tocchet of the Vancouver Canucks looks on against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at the United Center.

The Anaheim Ducks delivered a thrilling performance at the Honda Center, overcoming a two-goal deficit with a five-goal surge to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 5-2. Ryan Strome and Troy Terry led the charge, each contributing a goal and two assists.

Frank Vatrano, Cutter Gauthier, and Jackson LaCombe also found the back of the net, while goaltender Lukas Dostal made 22 saves to secure the victory. With this win, the Ducks have now secured eight wins in their last eleven games.

The victory brings the Ducks, who haven’t reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2018, within six points of the Canucks in the race for the second Western Conference wild card spot. “Everyone wants to be playing important games at this time of the year,” Vatrano said, according to NHL.com.

Canucks’ frustration: A lead lost

The Canucks, fresh off an overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings, saw their early lead vanish in the second period as the Ducks scored five unanswered goals. “We’re a desperate hockey team,” Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet admitted. “I don’t care if it’s 4-0, you have to keep playing the game plan. We just had too many guys, instead of going straight, went right or left. A little too much perimeter for my liking.”

Vancouver Canucks play against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at the United Center on October 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The turning point: Ducks unleash their offense

The Ducks turned the game around in the second period, scoring three goals to erase the early deficit. Vatrano ignited the comeback with a precise shot over the glove of Canucks’ goaltender Arturs Silovs. Gauthier followed suit, firing a shot from the same spot on the ice. Strome then gave the Ducks their first lead of the game with a wrist shot from the slot.

Canucks’ early advantage fades

The Canucks had taken an early lead in the first period with goals from Tyler Myers and Pius Suter. However, they couldn’t sustain their momentum against the Ducks’ relentless pressure in the second and third periods. “We weren’t happy with the first period,” Vatrano said.

He added: “I think we knew what we needed to do. We just needed to simplify our game. That’s what we did in the second and third periods, and that’s why we won the hockey game. I think we wore them down. We knew they played last night. We know it’s tough playing back-to-backs in this league.” The Ducks’ victory highlights their resilience and determination to fight for an NHL playoff spot.