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Canucks’ Halloween party costume hits, and Manny’s simple reason for rolling with Meriläinen: Canucks notebook

Photo credit: @bellzp__ on Instagram

By David Quadrelli

Nov 2, 2026, 13:20 ESTUpdated: Nov 2, 2026, 13:21 EST

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Welcome back to the little series on our site where we highlight Vancouver Canucks stories you might have missed! Okay, really, it’s an excuse for me to blog casually instead of having to be a Big J Journalist all the time. Anyway, you know it, you (hopefully) love it, so let’s dive in.

Manny’s simple reason for rolling with Meriläinen

In case you missed it, Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra was upfront about why he’s been rolling with Leevi Meriläinen in goal for the last little while. Meriläinen has led the Canucks to two of their three wins on the season, and even in the games where he’s been the losing goalie of record, he has given his team a fighting chance even on nights they don’t really deserve one. Here’s what Malhotra had to say post game on Saturday night, which marked Meriläinen’s fourth-straight start and seventh over the last nine games:

“It’s because of the fact he gives us an opportunity to win every night, and that’s the messaging for the group. We need guys who are going to be competitive and give us an opportunity to win every night.”

It’s hard to argue with that.

Kevin Lankinen’s .812 save percentage ranks dead-last league-wide among goaltenders with at least two games played, and his 6.17 goals-against average is nearly twice as high as Meriläinen’s (3.31).

The Canucks don’t have games on back-to-back nights until November 15th and 16th. How many times — if at all — will Lankinen start for the Canucks before then?

And now, let’s switch gears to a much lighter topic.

Canucks Halloween party costume hits

The Canucks had their team Halloween party over the weekend, and as is the case every year, there were some phenomenal costumes that require your attention.

Filip and Dominika Hronek as Nemo and Darla Sherman from Finding Nemo

Elias Pettersson (D) as Justin Bieber (and his partner as a Belieber), Liam Öhgren and his partner as Vikings, Linus Karlsson and his partner in Bavarian/Oktoberfest attire, and Elias (Forward) and Katelyn Pettersson as the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who.

@DisaHamberg on Instagram

Paul Cotter and fiancée Caylie as Elvis and Priscilla Presley

@cayliemccall on Instagram

Brock and Bella Boeser along with Thatcher and Lexi Demko as Smurfs

@bellzp__ on Instagram

The group picture

@bellzp__ on Instagram

Pick your favourites from here. Marco Rossi, Tom Willander, and Victor Mancini as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is fantastic, as is Luke and Jeska Schenn as Marv and Harry, “The Wet Bandits” from Home Alone. Zeev Buium pissing excellence in the back as Ricky Bobby, Max Sasson as Shrek, whoever is dressed as Michael Myers not even looking at the camera, it’s all very well done.