Have you made plans for June of 2025? Because it’s frankly time to cancel them. The Canucks are clearly going to be your plans next summer.

The Canucks 4-3 overtime win over the Flames wasn’t a surprising outcome, based on the descrepancy in talent between the two rosters. If anything, you might’ve expected the Canucks to win more convincingly. But in a sport where the right bounces and decision-making can turn a result entirely on its head, shaking the rust off has been the name of the game for Rick Tocchet’s roster in each of their first two contests. It’s how they adjust as the final cuts are made and the roster officially takes shape that will make all the difference in October and beyond.

But I’ve already cancelled my trip to Europe next summer, so let’s jump to some crazy conclusions now.

The Canucks kicking off their preseason with back-to-back wins doesn’t mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of things, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan the parade route, either.

Winning in overtime took a balanced effort and some well-timed scoring chances from up and down the lineup. Quinn Hughes looked like his usual Norris Trophy-winning self. Keifer Sherwood felt like a constant presence on the ice and began forming some early chemistry with Phil Di Giuseppe on the third line. And Jiri Patera made a few clutch saves at the right time.

As far as the surprising sources go, the most impressive play came directly from Max Sasson. Sasson’s goal in the final minute of the first period was a great individual effort of cutting hard to the net, spinning to shake off the Flames defender chasing him, and snapping the puck right between the wickets of Dustin Wolf.

Sasson’s goal also set the table for a night of clutch late goals for the Canucks, which segways perfectly into the next segment.

Daniel Sprong did more than leave a lasting impression during his first preseason game. He made it into an “I Was There” moment locals will talk about for a while, all based on one incredible play in the third period.

With less than a minute to go and a 3-2 Flames lead, Sprong picks up the puck near his own blue line, cuts through the teeth of the Flames backcheck and sends Jarred Tinordi flying in the wrong direction. Suddenly Sprong is home free, and goalie Devin Cooley is merely a passenger along for the ride.

Sprong’s goal was just the peak of his efforts in Wednesday night’s contest. Playing on a line with Aatu Räty (who had another decent evening) and Arshdeep Bains, Sprong was a consistent threat in the Flames end and consistently created scoring opportunities throughout the night. If this is what he intends on bringing to the table every night, he’s going to set a fan favourite speedrun record.

Jake DeBrusk’s debut for the Canucks went just about as well as a first impression could.

If not for the stat department’s need for “accuracy”, DeBrusk almost ended up with a hat trick until video reviews made it obvious that Max Sasson’s shot never deflected off his stick. But he made up for that score change with a last minute goal of his own in the second period, deflecting a Vinny Desharnais long shot behind Wolf for the Canucks second goal of the game.

But the real piece de resistance came in overtime, while he was sharing the ice with Hughes and linemate Elias Pettersson against an overmatched trio of Flames.

To his own credit, Pettersson took a little bit of time to get going, but in true superstar fashion he arrived right when the moment called for it. That’s how after Hughes fed him a pass right in front of the net, Pettersson had the foresight to see a wide open DeBrusk streaking to the net, and tipped the puck his way.

I’m no oracle, but I have a strong feeling we’ll be seeing this Pettersson-DeBrusk combo on the scoresheet for a lot of games to come.