VANCOUVER, B.C. (AP) — Dakota Joshua and Sheldon Dries scored 34 seconds apiece in the third quarter as the Vancouver Canucks beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 on Tuesday night, Get Rick Tochet to win in his first game as coach.
Tochet was named the 21st head coach in Canucks history on Sunday after the firing of Bruce Boudreau and assistant Trent Kuhl. Vancouver hired Adam Ford as assistant coach and Sergey Gonchar as defensive development coach.
There were boos and cheers as Tocchet was introduced to the crowd in the first quarter. At 3:30, a fan threw a Canucks jersey onto the ice.
Vancouver outscored the Blackhawks 48-14 and fought back from two one-goal losses but failed to score in five power play opportunities.
Andrei Kuzmenko scored twice for the Canucks (19-25-3), snapping a three-game losing streak. Elias Pettersson has two assists and has six goals and 22 assists in his last 16 games. Bohovat scored empty goals and scored 31 goals in a single season, setting a career high.
Patrick Kane and Sam Lafferty scored (14-28-4) for the Blackhawks, who lost their second straight game after a three-game winning streak. Petr Mrazek made 43 saves.
Vancouver goalkeeper Corindelia stopped 12 shots.
The Canucks’ go-ahead goal came seconds after Kane seized a brilliant chance to score.
Vancouver defenseman Quinn Hughes sends the puck out. Brock Boeser tries a shot from a sharp angle. Mrazek stopped the puck, but Joshua knocked it down the outstretched goalie at 11:34 for a 3-2 lead.
After the ensuing confrontation, Mrazek blocked Conor Garland’s shot before Dries scored from between his legs.
Kuzmenko scored his 20th and 21st goals in the second period to tie the score at 2 after 40 minutes.
Note: Tocchet, who also coached Tampa Bay and Arizona State, took one practice and one game day skate to prepare for the Blackhawks. … Vancouver failed to score on a four-minute power play early in the first quarter when Chicago’s Seth Jones was called to hold on high. … Chicago center Max Domi was adjudged seditious minor, gross and 10 minutes of inappropriate conduct during his fight with Joshua at 8:13 of the second quarter. … Blackhawks forward Tyler Johnson, who had 14 points in 22 games, was placed on injured reserve after aggravating a left ankle injury.
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Blackhawks: At Calgary on Thursday night.
Canucks: At Seattle on Wednesday night.
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