Hunter Shinkaruk and Nicklas Jensen each scored for the second time in as many games to help lift the Vancouver Canucks past Calgary 3-1 on Thursday night. Chris Higgins also scored for the visitors who improve to 2-1 in preseason play.

“I was very excited to play in my hometown tonight and I guess the fact that I was able to score made it very special,” Shinkaruk told TSN 1040 afterwards.

Shinkaruk’s hometown team had a chance to select him two spots before the Canucks nabbed him 24th overall in the 2013 Entry Draft.

“It was a great game for our team, we got the win and it will be a good plane ride home,” Shinkaruk said.

The former Medicine Hat Tigers standout acknowledged you have to be good down low in order to contribute at the NHL level.

“Coming into this level I realize that maybe the pretty goals aren’t going to happen as much, so I’m just trying to get to the net. That’s what I love to do, I love to be in the paint and if I can contribute and get goals for the team it will be a lot more fun.”

Head Coach Willie Desjardins certainly noticed the impact of Shinkaruk in this game.

“He’s playing with lots of confidence. It’s hard to score goals in this league. He’s been opportunistic.”

Eddie Lack was solid in goal once again, stopping all 20 shots he faced before making way to Joacim Eriksson in the 2nd period. 

“We didn’t have a great start. Eddie was terrific. He made some big saves and kept us in it,” Desjardins said.

Ryan Miller is expected to make his Canucks preseason debut when these two teams conclude their home and home series Friday at Rogers Arena. TSN 1040 has all the action, beginning with the pregame show at 5:00.