Bennett has four points to help Flames defeat Canucks

VANCOUVER --Mark Giordano scored twice and Sam Bennett had a goal and three assists to help the Calgary Flames to a 6-1 win against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Sunday.
"Even though the last few games we didn't get a win, we were playing really good hockey and just weren't getting rewarded," Bennett said. "That definitely feels really good for everyone tonight."

Mark Jankowski,
Matthew Tkachuk and Micheal Ferland scored for the Flames (17-14-3), who ended a three-game losing streak (0-2-1) with their third win in the past nine games (3-4-2).
WATCH: [All Flames vs. Canucks highlights]
Despite those recent struggles, coach Glen Gulutzan said the past eight games have featured some of the best two-way play in his two seasons in Calgary.
"Lots of guys needed it," Gulutzan said. "This is a stick-with-it league. We had some guys step up from the beginning. ... We had lots of guys going and we need to continue that."

David Rittich made 16 saves for his third win in three starts since being called up from Stockton of the American Hockey League.
"It was like skating practice for me, not a lot of shots because guys played really well," Rittich said. "They played like they don't need a goalie, so I just say, 'Thanks guys.'"
Markus Granlund scored for the Canucks (15-15-4), who have lost five of the past six (1-5-0).
Forward Brock Boeser, who leads Vancouver and NHL rookies with 17 goals and 30 points, left the game with a foot injury after blocking a shot 14 seconds into the second period. The Canucks were already without top-line forwards Sven Baertschi (jaw) and Bo Horvat (foot).

Canucks coach Travis Green did not have an update, but Boeser was spotted on crutches after the game.
"It's not a lot of fun right now," Daniel Sedin said. "It's a good challenge for us. We have a lot of young guys that are going to get more ice time. They need to step up. We all need to step up."
Jankowski, who also had two assists, gave the Flames a 1-0 lead from the low slot 5:45 into the first period after a backhand pass from Bennett below the goal line.
Giordano got behind the defense down the left wing and beat Jacob Markstrom high on the short side 3:56 into the second period to make it 2-0.
Calgary then scored three goals in four minutes late in the period. Tkachuk scored from the left face-off circle at 15:47, Giordano scored his second in alone at 18:47 and Bennett score on a 4-on-1 rush with 13 seconds left in the period.
"You like to see that when lots of guys are getting on the board," Bennett said. "It's good for everyone's confidence. It gives you that little extra jump."

Markstrom, who made 14 saves, was pulled to start the third period. Anders Nilsson made 18 saves on 19 shots in relief. He was beaten by Ferland in tight at 11:09, a goal that ended Calgary's 0-for-23 power-play drought.
"Our power play has struggled, so it's definitely nice to get one of those," Bennett said. "I think we can use the momentum from this game and keep rolling."

Goal of the game

Giordano's second of the game came after being sent in alone on a nice cross-ice pass with 1:13 left in the second period.

Save of the game

Nilsson against Sean Monahan on a 2-on-1 pass from Johnny Gaudreau at 14:08 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

Bennett's spin move in the corner led to Jankowski's goal 5:45 into the game.

They said it

"We had the chances pretty lopsided in our favor. They're a pretty depleted club over there." -- Flames coach Glen Gulutzan
"We have to like the challenge. We all want to play more. If you ask each and every player, they want more ice time. They are going to get more ice time now." -- Canucks forward Daniel Sedin

Need to know

Flames forward Jaromir Jagr played for the second straight game after missing five games with a lower-body injury and is 37 games behind Gordie Howe (1,767) for first all-time in NHL games played. … Horvat and Baertchi are out another 3-5 weeks, but center Brandon Sutter (lower body) is expected to return in the next week. … Canucks defenseman Erik Gudbranson (upper body) could return Tuesday.

What's next

Flames: Host the St Louis Blues on Wednesday (9:30 p.m. ET; SN360, FS-MW, NHL.TV)
Canucks: Host the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET; SNP, TSN2, RDS, NHL.TV)