Feb 8, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) and defenseman Elias Pettersson (25) celebrate the victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

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Prince Harry Performed Ceremonial Puck Drop at Vancouver Canucks Game

Prince Harry launches Invictus Games, drops ceremonial puck.

The Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs had a royal visitor ahead of their matchup on the ice. Prince Harry took center stage at Rogers Arena on Saturday, performing the ceremonial puck drop before the Canucks faced off against the Maple Leafs.

As we celebrate the start of the Invictus Games 2025, we welcome Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, alongside @InvictusGames25 competitors Lee Jarratt and Andre Crocker, and Canucks Sports & Entertainment Chairman Francesco Aquilini for the ceremonial puck drop! pic.twitter.com/ZisBM2UdFr
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 9, 2025

Earlier in the day, the Duke of Sussex officially launched the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, an event he founded in 2014, during a ceremony at BC Place.

Joining Prince Harry on the ice were Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini and two Invictus Games athletes. The puck drop featured Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews and Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers, while Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, observed the event from the Canucks bench.

Celebrating the start of the @InvictusGames25!

Today we welcomed Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, joined by Invictus Games competitors, to @RogersArena ahead of the games taking place in Vancouver and Whistler over the next 8 days. pic.twitter.com/r6HgoeQBXd
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 9, 2025

The royal couple also took a moment to meet injured Canucks captain Quinn Hughes before the ceremony. The Invictus Games, running from February 8-16, will showcase wounded, sick, and injured veterans competing in adaptive sports.

This marks Prince Harry’s second puck drop at a Canucks game; he previously attended a match last November to announce the dates for the 2025 Games.

Boeser’s Third-Period Heroics Propel Canucks Past Maple Leafs

Brock Boeser scored a clutch power-play goal at 8:56 of the third period to secure a 2-1 victory for the Vancouver Canucks over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday at Rogers Arena.

The game took a dramatic turn when Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko exited midway through the first period after stopping all six shots he faced. Thankfully, coach Rick Tocchet downplayed the severity of Demko’s injury. Backup Kevin Lankinen stepped up in a big way, making 21 saves, including a spectacular glove save on Auston Matthews during a late Maple Leafs power play with just under two minutes left in the game.

Brock Boeser – Vancouver Canucks (18)
Power Play Goal pic.twitter.com/TpI9shQhZi
— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) February 9, 2025

Filip Hronek played a key role for the Canucks with a goal and an assist. Vancouver (26-18-11) has now won three straight games and six of their last eight (6-1-1), despite missing star defenseman Quinn Hughes for the past four games due to an undisclosed injury.

Morgan Rielly scored their lone goal for the Maple Leafs (33-20-2), and Joseph Woll made 23 saves. Toronto, coming off a strong four-game road trip (3-1-0), had a three-game win streak snapped.

Hronek opened the scoring at 7:00 of the first period, sneaking in from the right point to convert a brilliant cross-ice pass from Elias Pettersson, sending the puck over Woll’s glove. Rielly responded for Toronto with just six seconds left in the second period, threading a shot past a screened Lankinen from the right face-off dot, moments after a power play expired. It was Rielly’s first goal in 14 games, and it came in front of his hometown crowd.

The Canucks regained the lead in the third thanks to Hronek’s hustle at the blue line. He kept the puck in play and set up Filip Chytil, who fed Boeser in the slot. Boeser’s low shot slid past Woll’s left pad, sealing the game.

Vancouver’s power play went 1-for-2, while Toronto failed to capitalize on their opportunities, going 0-for-2, even with a 6-on-4 advantage in the final seconds. Hronek continues to shine, with five points (one goal, four assists) in his past five games, despite missing his usual partner, Quinn Hughes. The Canucks’ resilience continues to impress as they push forward in the season.

Image Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

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Vancouver Canucks

Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!