Bourque, Kronwall help Flames sweep split-squad preseason doubleheader from Canucks

Bourque, Kronwall lift Flames over Canucks

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Rene Bourque and Staffan Kronwall scored just over one minute apart early in the third period in the Calgary Flames’ 3-1 preseason win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.

Niklas Hagman opened the scoring late in the second period as the Flames swept a split-squad doubleheader. The Flames beat the Canucks 3-2 in Calgary earlier Tuesday.

Free agent addition Raffi Torres, making his Canucks debut in a game featuring just a dozen NHL regulars, scored Vancouver’s only goal with nine minutes left.

Henrik Karlsson, a Swedish rookie expected to back up Miikka Kiprusoff, stopped all 12 shots in two periods. Matt Keetley made eight saves in the third.

Cory Schneider stopped 17 of 18 through two periods for Vancouver before minor leaguer David Shantz took over and was beaten on the first two shots he faced.

Canucks forward Rick Rypien left after the first period with an undisclosed injury and didn’t return.