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Lack, Canucks down Flames

Mar 9, 2014 - 8:14 AM Vancouver, BC (SportsNetwork.com) - Eddie Lack turned aside 22-of-23 shots to help lift the Vancouver Canucks to a much-needed win, a 2-1 decision over the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena.

Yannick Weber's goal five minutes into the third period was the difference in only Vancouver's second victory since Jan. 26. The spiraling Canucks entered the matchup -- the first between the clubs since a Jan. 18 clash marred by all-out brawl right after the opening faceoff that led to eight ejections -- having gone 1-10-1 in their last 12 games.

Darren Archibald got Vancouver on the board with 5:45 left in the second period with his first career NHL goal.

'It was a grind for both teams," said Canucks head coach John Tortorella. "We're just looking for points."

Brian McGrattan scored for Calgary and Joni Ortio came up with 12 saves in the loss, the Flames' sixth in a row to the Canucks.

"(I) just wanted to throw one on net," said McGrattan. "I was at the end of my shift, and fortunately it went in."

Lack let a near 100-foot drive by McGrattan from near center ice go through his pads 2:13 into the second period, but was otherwise flawless and the Canucks picked him up just over three minutes later.

Archibald's breakthrough goal, a wraparound try at the 5;45 mark that followed a faceoff win in the Calgary zone, knotted the contest at 1-1. Weber then sent the Canucks ahead early in the third, poking a rebound into an open left side after Ortio stopped a charging Shawn Matthias on a rush down the ice.

The Flames had a pair of power-play chances in the final five minutes, both on penalties taken by Vancouver's Chris Higgins, but couldn't capitalize on either opportunity.

Calgary finished 0-for-5 with the man advantage.

Saturday's game was considerably less contentious than the teams' previous encounter, with the clubs mustering a mere five shots combined during an opening period that did contain one fight -- a skirmish between Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa and Calgary captain Mark Giordano.

Game Notes

Flames defenseman Jordan Wotherspoon recorded his first career NHL assist on McGrattan's goal. The rookie was playing in only his second NHL game, while Archibald was skating in his 14th ... Canucks wing Zack Kassian began serving a three-game suspension handed down for an illegal check in Thursday's loss in Dallas ... Forward Jiri Hudler and defenseman Dennis Wideman sat out their second straight games for Calgary with upper-body injuries ... Vancouver is now 19-3-3 against the Flames since December of 2009.