Canucks fall 3-0 to Firebirds | Pro Hockey News

The Canucks concluded their road trip through Southern California with a game against the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Aku Koskenvuo was back between the pipes after his recall from the Kalamazoo Wings and took on Kevin LaFontaine on the other end. Christian Felton also made his Canucks debut, skating in his first game with the club this season after recently signing.

It wasn’t the start the Canucks were hoping for, as penalties proved to be costly early on. Just over four minutes into the game, a high-stick call to Jonathan Lekkerimäki gave the Firebirds their first power play, and they capitalized when John Hayden crashed the net and poked the puck past Koskenvuo. Coachella Valley carried the momentum for much of the opening frame and struck again late in the period. Logan Morrison made quick work of another power play, snapping a shot from the slot to give the Firebirds a 2-0 lead heading into the second.

The middle frame was quieter and there was no scoring at either end. There was some physical play, a power play opportunity for the Canucks, and opportunities traded both ways, but strong goaltending from Koskenvuo and LaFontaine kept the score unchanged at 2-0 entering the third.

Coachella Valley extended their lead early in the final frame when Logan Morrison scored his second of the night, ramming a loose puck into the back of the net. The Canucks tried to get back into the game, but couldn’t find a way past LaFontaine before time ran out.

The Canucks fell 3-0 to the Firebirds and now head home to host the Laval Rocket on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.