The Vancouver Canucks pulled off a stunning comeback against the Dallas Stars on April 9, 2025, winning 6-5 in overtime after trailing 5-2 with just one minute remaining in regulation. This remarkable victory not only kept their playoff hopes alive but also made history as they became the first NHL team to score three goals in the final minute of a game.
With the clock winding down and the Canucks seemingly destined for defeat, Pius Suter emerged as the hero. The 28-year-old Zurich native scored the equalizer twice in the dying seconds of the third period, first with 30 seconds left and then again with just 5.2 seconds remaining. Kiefer Sherwood sealed the improbable win with a goal in the fourth minute of overtime.
"Says a lot about the group," Sherwood said after the game. He scored the game-winner on a pass from Conor Garland, who made a brilliant play to set him up. "‘Gar’ just made an absolute crazy play. Kind of felt like slow motion, got his head up and put it on my tape."
The Canucks, who now hold a record of 36-29-13, had been struggling, with only one win in their last six games prior to this thrilling encounter. The Dallas Stars, boasting a strong record of 50-22-6, had already secured their playoff position and were looking to clinch at least second place in the Central Division with a win.
The game started with the Stars dominating early, establishing a 3-0 lead by the end of the second period. Mikko Rantanen opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 13:48 of the first period, marking his 32nd goal of the season. Mason Marchment followed suit with another power-play goal less than five minutes later, and Matt Duchene added a third power-play goal in the second period, pushing his season totals to 30 goals and 80 points.
However, the Canucks began to fight back in the third period. Jake DeBrusk scored a power-play goal just 17 seconds into the final frame, putting the Canucks on the board. Victor Mancini quickly followed with another power-play goal, bringing the score to 3-2. Despite Mavrik Bourque and Mikael Granlund extending the Stars' lead to 5-2 with less than two minutes left in the game, the Canucks refused to give up.
In a remarkable turn of events, Aatu Raty scored with exactly one minute left in regulation, igniting a spark in the Canucks. Suter then scored twice in quick succession, first cutting the deficit to 5-4 and then leveling the score at 5-5, sending the game into overtime.
During overtime, the Stars faced a penalty when Rantanen was called for slashing just 46 seconds into the extra period. Although the Stars managed to kill the penalty, the Canucks capitalized on their momentum. Sherwood's goal at 3:44 of overtime capped off an unforgettable night for Vancouver.
Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet praised his team's resilience, stating, "That’s got to be one up there. I loved the fight, obviously, in the third period. To do that is a character win for a lot of guys, for the team. My son texted me – ‘You looked like last year’s team in the third.’" The Canucks are now six points behind the Minnesota Wild for the final playoff spot with only four games remaining in the season.
On the other hand, the Stars were left to ponder what went wrong. Captain Jamie Benn, who grew up near Vancouver, expressed his disappointment, calling the loss "unacceptable" and emphasizing that the team should have closed out the game. Stars coach Pete DeBoer echoed Benn's sentiments, reflecting on the unusual nature of the loss. "I’ve won and lost a lot of games in this league. I don’t think I’ve ever lost one in that fashion before," he admitted.
The Canucks outshot the Stars 32-28 and went 2-for-4 on the power play, while Dallas capitalized on their opportunities, finishing 3-for-4 with the man advantage. Both teams are set to return to action on Thursday, April 11, 2025, with the Stars hosting the Winnipeg Jets and the Canucks traveling to Denver to face the Colorado Avalanche.
This thrilling game will be remembered not just for the score but for the heart and determination shown by the Canucks in the face of adversity. Their ability to rally in the final moments is a testament to their fighting spirit and keeps them in the hunt for a playoff berth.
