The big smile on Brendan GaunceB次元官网网址檚 face spoke volumes.

Gaunce scored two goals in a game for the first time in his NHL career as the Vancouver Canucks overcome an early deficit to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 Thursday night.

His first goal in the second period tied the game 1-1. He scored his second with just 2:58 left in the third period. It came as the Blackhawks were pressing after cutting the Canuck lead to 3-2.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great to score goals,B次元官网网址� said Gaunce. B次元官网网址淵ou gain confidence offensively.B次元官网网址�

Gaunce has played 109 games over parts of three seasons for Vancouver, collecting five goals and six assists. The 23-year-old from Sudbury, Ont., once went 95 games without a goal. His previous two goals this season came on the road, so his last goal Thursday earned a huge cheer from the announced crowd of 18,144 at Rogers Arena.

B次元官网网址淚 couldnB次元官网网址檛 really hear,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 was pretty zoned out after I scored. ItB次元官网网址檚 good to contribute.B次元官网网址�

During the dying moments of the third Gaunce sent a puck wide of an empty Chicago net.

B次元官网网址淚 havenB次元官网网址檛 had many chances at a hat trick,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 going for it.B次元官网网址�

On his first goal, Gaunce used teammate Bo Horvat as a decoy before scoring on a wrist shot.

Horvat, who has a history of being a better sniper, had no problems with the move.

B次元官网网址淗e made the right decision and made a heck of a shot,B次元官网网址� said Horvat, who has 12 goals in 33 games this year.

B次元官网网址淲e are so happy for him. HeB次元官网网址檚 worked his butt off to get to this point. He deserved to get those two goals tonight. HeB次元官网网址檚 been playing great hockey. HeB次元官网网址檚 getting his opportunities. To see him finally get rewarded is awesome.B次元官网网址�

Daniel Sedin and Horvat also scored for the Canucks (21-24-6). Defenceman Troy Stecher added two assists for Vancouver, which has won five of its last eight games after going 2-11-3 in its previous 15.

Vancouver also won back-to-back games on home ice for just the second time this season.

. be like 馃槂馃槂 after 馃毃馃毃 .

B次元官网网址� Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks)

The Canucks, who are tied with Edmonton for second last in the Western Conference, are .500 on the road (11-11-3) but have a losing record (10-13-3) at home.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 not good enough,B次元官网网址� said Sedin, who scored his 13th goal of the season. B次元官网网址淥n the road we have been OK. At home, thatB次元官网网址檚 where you should get your wins. It hasnB次元官网网址檛 been that way.B次元官网网址�

Gaunce said the Canucks havenB次元官网网址檛 given up on the season.

B次元官网网址淎s cliched as it is, it is our job,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淕uys have a lot to play for still, regardless of where we are in the standings.

B次元官网网址淚f we make a run, you never know. There are always things to play for.B次元官网网址�

Nick Schmaltz and Alex DeBrincat scored for Chicago (24-20-7), which saw a two-game win streak snapped. Defenceman Duncan Keith had two assists.

Chicago has not won three consecutive games since a five-game winning streak Dec. 8-17.

The Blackhawks led 1-0 after the first period on SchmaltzB次元官网网址檚 goal. The Canucks then scored three unanswered to lead 3-1 midway through the third.

B次元官网网址淎 few breakdowns in the second period cost us the game,B次元官网网址� said DeBrincat.

Jonathan Toews said the Blackhawks gave up too many good chances.

B次元官网网址淲e need to be better defensively,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲hen pucks are around our net we have to make sure we are a little bit tougher and weB次元官网网址檙e not giving them easy chances around our net.B次元官网网址�

Canuck goaltender Jacob Markstrom stopped 26 shots. ChicagoB次元官网网址檚 Anton Forsberg, who was making his third straight start, stopped 17 shots.

NOTES:

• Defenceman Erik Gudbranson returned to the Canuck lineup after missing five games with back spasms.
• Blackhawk left winger Patrick Sharp was a healthy scratch for the third straight game.
• VancouverB次元官网网址檚 Sam Gagner didnB次元官网网址檛 return for the second period after suffering an upper-body injury when hitting ChicagoB次元官网网址檚 Tomas Jurco in the opening period.

Jim Morris, The Canadian Press

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