Canucks Goalie Gets Stuck With One of Hockey’s Oddest Losses

Every now and then, hockey gives us a story that makes you stop and ask, “Wait, what just happened?” Saturday’s Vancouver Canucks game against the New Jersey Devils gave us one of those moments. Leevi Merilainen started in goal, but with less than six minutes remaining in the first period, he had to leave the ice to get his skate repaired. Kevin Lankinen replaced him.

And then things got a little weird.

---

---

A Skate Repair Changes the Goalie Story

Merilainen had stopped the shots he’d faced before leaving the game. But while he got his skate fixed, Lankinen suddenly found himself in the spotlight. Lankinen allowed Jesper Boqvist to score on one of the three shots he faced. That turned out to be the game-winning goal in New Jersey’s 4-1 victory.

The result? Lankinen took the loss, even though he’d only been in the game briefly. Now, that’s not exactly the way a goalie wants to spend his evening. Imagine coming into a game unexpectedly, giving up one goal, and having that goal become the difference between a win and a loss. Hockey can be a cruel business sometimes.

Of course, the Canucks didn’t lose simply because of that one goal. They allowed four goals overall, and there was plenty else to discuss. But the circumstances surrounding Lankinen’s loss were certainly unusual.

The Numbers Make the Canucks’ Goalie Situation Even More Interesting

Merilainen stopped 31 of 34 shots, with all three goals against him coming on the Devils’ power play. He kept Vancouver in the game for stretches, even if the final score wasn’t what the Canucks wanted. Lankinen, meanwhile, allowed one goal on three shots and ended up with a loss on his record.

There’s a bigger story here, too. Lankinen has struggled this season, posting a .783 save percentage through five appearances. Merilainen has a .929 save percentage through four appearances. Those numbers are hard to ignore, and they make Vancouver’s goaltending situation worth watching.

Still, Saturday’s strange sequence shouldn’t be mistaken for a complete assessment of either goalie. Merilainen had a strong outing, while Lankinen faced an unusual situation. Sometimes a goalie loses because he gets beaten. Sometimes his team doesn’t score enough. And sometimes, apparently, a skate repair becomes part of the story.

For Lankinen, Saturday was a tough-luck loss in more ways than one. For the rest of us, it was one of those hockey oddities that reminds us just how unpredictable this game can be.

Related: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Senators, Panthers, Canadiens & Oilers