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Leevi Merilainen made a strong first impression with the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, stopping 23 shots in a 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames. The 24-year-old Finnish goaltender made his first start for Vancouver after the Canucks claimed him off waivers from the Ottawa Senators late last month. For Merilainen, the win felt like the beginning of something new.
“It felt good to get the win,” Merilainen said. “It was sort of weird playing for the first time for a long time.”
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A Calm Presence Between the Pipes
Head coach Manny Malhotra praised Merilainen’s composure throughout the game. His most critical stop came late in the second period. With Vancouver trailing 1-0, Merilainen turned away Flames defenceman Zayne Parekh on a Calgary 3-on-1 breakaway.
“He did a fantastic job,” Malhotra said. “He looked really poised and calm in net. When a goalie plays calm like that, it bleeds into the play of the 5-on-5 in front of him.” Malhotra added that the save on the 3-on-1 could have shifted the game’s momentum entirely.
The Canucks trailed after the first period but responded with four goals in the third. Liam Ohgren marked his 100th NHL game with a goal and an assist on defenceman Elias Pettersson’s winner. Drew O’Connor and Aatu Raty, who scored into an empty net, also found the back of the net for Vancouver. Tom Willander and centre Linus Karlsson each contributed two assists. The result moved Vancouver to 2-1-0 on the season.
Calgary’s only goal came from Matt Coronato on the power play. Flames goaltender Devin Cooley finished with 23 saves. Calgary dropped to 0-2-0.
From Ottawa to Vancouver: A Fresh Start
Ottawa drafted Merilainen in the third round, 71st overall, in 2020. He spent four seasons in the Senators organization. In 2024-25, he appeared in 12 NHL games and posted an 8-3-1 record, a 1.99 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage and three shutouts. However, last season his numbers declined. In 20 games, he went 8-10-1 with a 3.51 GAA and a .860 save percentage.
With other goaltenders ahead of him in Ottawa’s system, the Senators placed Merilainen on waivers. Vancouver moved quickly to claim him. The transition was not without its emotional complexity.
“When it happened it was a little weird,” Merilainen said. “Being like four years with one organization, and all of a sudden you come over here and have a fresh start. For sure it’s exciting. It’s a new opportunity, knowing it’s a team that wants me here.”
Building Confidence Before the Start
Merilainen had already seen brief action before Saturday’s start. He entered Vancouver’s 9-7 loss to Edmonton on Thursday, replacing Kevin Lankinen midway through the second period. He allowed one goal on 11 shots in that appearance.
That short stint helped build his confidence heading into the Calgary game. “I was pretty confident,” he said. “The Oilers game went OK, and I had a good summer.”
The game against Calgary also had a physical edge. Canucks defenceman Luke Schenn fought Flames forward Adam Klapa less than three minutes into the first period. Later, Vancouver centre Elias Pettersson delivered a heavy hit on Parekh, which freed the puck and led directly to O’Connor’s third-period goal.
Merilainen welcomed the intensity. “I love that,” he said. “I love a physical game. It’s more entertaining for me to watch.” With a strong debut behind him, Merilainen appears ready to make the most of his opportunity in Vancouver.
