Patterson Seizes Spotlight in Canucks’ 3–2 Prospect Showcase Victory
SEATTLE — Riley Patterson made the most of his top-line promotion Sunday night, delivering a standout two-point performance that powered the Vancouver Canucks prospects to a 3–2 win over the Seattle Kraken at the 2025 Prospect Showcase.
Elevated to center between Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Vilmer Alriksson following Braeden Cootes’ precautionary absence, Patterson wasted no time asserting himself. He set up the opening goal with a slick behind-the-net assist to Lekkerimäki, then buried the eventual game-winner in the third period with a sharp finish from the slot.
“Playing with two great players in Lekky and Rikky, they can make a lot of great plays,” Patterson said postgame. “If I can get them the puck and we can make plays together, it works out well”.
Head coach Manny Malhotra praised Patterson’s maturity and detail-oriented play. “He was physical, in the right spots, and tenacious on pucks,” Malhotra noted. “From there, he was able to make some good plays between Lekky and Rikky”.
The Canucks also benefited from a strong outing by goaltender Aku Koskenvuo, who stopped 21 of 23 shots, including a crucial third-period pad save to preserve the lead. Invitee Aaron Obobaifo added a goal of his own, showcasing speed and poise in his fourth-line role.
The win capped a bounce-back effort for Vancouver’s young guns, who had dropped Saturday’s opener 5–3. With the showcase wrapped, attention now turns to main camp in Penticton, where Patterson’s breakout performance may earn him a longer look.
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