Liam Öhgren’s two goals helped Team White edge Team Blue 4–3 in the shootout after a 3–3 tie in Vancouver’s 2026 training-camp scrimmage.
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The Vancouver Canucks opened their 2026 training camp scrimmage on Saturday at the South Okanagan Events Centre, using the annual intrasquad game to look at lineup combinations under game-like conditions. After regulation, Team White and Team Blue reached a 3–3 tie, setting up a shootout to decide the winner.
In the post-regulation portion of the scrimmage, Team White came away with the extra points, defeating Team Blue in the shootout. The result leaves coaches with both a sense of how players respond in pressure situations and a set of identifiable moments worth carrying into the next stages of training camp.
Liam Öhgren was the most prominent performer in the early portion of the game, scoring twice for Team White. One of his goals came off a hard wrister that struck the post, underscoring the kind of shot that can change how opponents defend him when the puck is in his comfort zone.
Öhgren’s camp form was not limited to finishing, according to the account of the scrimmage, with the 22-year-old described as confident with the puck. Based on line combinations used during the event, he appears positioned to start the next phase of camp on a line with Marco Rossi.
The same lineup picture suggests that Brock Boeser or Jonathan Lekkerimäki could be the third component alongside Öhgren and Rossi. The connection between players at this stage of camp is significant for Vancouver supporters because it offers a glimpse at early forward group chemistry before regular-season roles are finalized.
Defensively, Zeev Buium’s skating and puck-handling were also highlighted in the scrimmage. The 20-year-old was described as breaking up plays in the defensive zone while also seizing opportunities to join the rush into the neutral zone, a style that can accelerate play from the back end.
Buium’s performance was further framed through his developing partnership with Luke Schenn. With Schenn positioned as a stay-at-home defender to the right side, the idea presented from the scrimmage is that the extra layer of protection could allow Buium to take more chances as he reads transitions.
Schenn’s defensive responsibilities and positioning are part of a broader leadership narrative for Vancouver, and that theme also appeared in how the scrimmage played out. Not only did Schenn factor into the defensive side of the game, but he was also involved directly in the shootout decision.
Brendan Gallagher offered a different emphasis, with his high-energy approach described as exactly what younger players can learn from. Even though Saturday’s game was a scrimmage rather than a regular-season matchup, Gallagher was described as noticeable throughout, battling along the boards and continuing to race to pucks in and around the net.
Gallagher’s style was also reflected in his willingness to crash the crease, where he demanded the puck and kept the pace elevated. The report notes that he spoke to the crowd afterward, which drew a large cheer from the fans in attendance, reinforcing his off-ice presence as well as his on-ice habits.
Elias Pettersson’s involvement added another layer to the scrimmage, including a moment that was described as “scary.” During the game, Pettersson was hit into the boards by Cole Clayton, and the account indicates that the incident appeared to wake Pettersson up rather than sideline him from the flow of play.
After that boarding moment, Pettersson scored the game-tying goal for Team Blue, showing he could shift back into scoring mode while still remaining active at both ends of the ice. The description of his overall engagement suggests that, while the rest of the league’s attention typically sharpens with the start of the regular season, his movement and shooting in the scrimmage were constructive signs.
The shootout moment that decided the scrimmage featured Luke Schenn, with the 36-year-old scoring after receiving a loud cheer from the crowd. He beat Ty Young with a shot up high, and the account notes that both benches were energized by the finish.
The final shootout sequence matters to Vancouver fans not only because it determines a win in a scrimmage setting, but also because it illustrates which players are trusted to take responsibility in skill-based, high-pressure situations. Schenn is described as expected to play a key role for the organization this season, including leadership in the dressing room.
The scrimmage also ties into how Vancouver’s coaching staff evaluates readiness across different player groups. With Buium and Schenn’s partnership being discussed in terms of tactical fit, and with Öhgren’s potential line role being suggested through the combinations used during the game, Saturday’s performance offers a snapshot of the direction camp is taking.
While training-camp results do not determine regular-season outcomes, the event provides practical information about where the Canucks may find their strongest matchups early on. For Vancouver readers, the most actionable takeaways are the clear offensive promise from Öhgren, the transitional upside associated with Buium’s movement, and the leadership presence represented by Gallagher and Schenn—along with Pettersson’s ability to respond after a physical jolt.
With the scrimmage concluded at the South Okanagan Events Centre and the shootout settled, the Canucks’ next steps will focus on translating these early performances into consistent execution. The standout moments from Saturday, particularly those involving scoring and puck-moving decisions, shape how supporters may view the team as regular-season preparation tightens and roles become more defined.
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