The Vancouver Canucks came into Game 2 of the Prospects Showcase with something to prove and earned a 5-2 victory against the Seattle Kraken at Rogers Forum.
The Canucks’ top line collected all three stars, Adam Novotný the first star with a three-point outing (1-2-3), while Brooks Rogowski the second star with two assists, and Braeden Cootes the third star with a goal.
Abbotsford Canucks Head Coach Ryan Papaioannou liked that his group played with more structure in the win, and brough the same competitive fire they had in Saturday’s outing.
He was pleased to see the top line have success together and shared some thoughts on Novotný and Rogowski playing in their first couple of games in Canucks informs.
“I think just in a good way, a bull a China shop. Everything north for him, chipping pucks to areas, winning races, really tough to knock off pucks. So, I think probably just stayed to his brand,” Papaioannou said of Novotný.
“I thought he was really good. I think his touches for a big man are pretty special. Obviously, he gets around really well for a big guy, but I just think when he has guys around him, he can make plays with, he's certainly got a good stick,” he said of Rogowski.
Rogowski said it was easy to play with Novotný and Cootes, sharing their speed and offensive prowess helps open the ice for Rogowski to make plays for his teammates.
"It felt great. I mean, obviously, I played with Novats [Novotný] a bit at the top prospect game last year, and obviously, Cooter is an easy guy to play with. So, I thought we meshed well, had a couple good plays there, and I liked it,” Rogowski said.
The 6-foot-7 forward credited playing in the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase and Hlinka Gretzky Cup to keeping him game-ready for the Prospect Showcase.
“I just think it makes you more game ready, ready to compete more. I played 10 games over the summer that were high quality, and [then] get to come here and play some more high-quality games. So, some of these guys are playing their first reps and all summer, and I have a couple games under my belt, so that's a good feeling,” Rogowski shared.
Both teams changed their goaltenders throughout the contest. Vancouver’s Ty Young started in net and turned aside 14 of 15 shots he faced, while Aku Koskenvuo took over goaltending duties midway through the second period, stopping 17 of 18 shots.
The Kraken goaltender Nikke Kokko played the first period for Seattle, and Maks Corovic took over tending duties for the rest of the game. Kokko played the entirety of Game 1 against the Canucks on Saturday evening.
Goals
In the first period, with the Canucks on the rush, Brooks Rogowski lasered a pass to Adam Novotný who deked Seattle’s Alexis Bernier, picking the top shelf to send the Canucks into the first intermission up 1-0.
