Zack Kassian's shootout goal gives Canucks their first victory

Zack Kassian has given himself an early birthday present at Rogers Arena.

On the eve of turning 22, the burly Canucks winner scored the game winner on a shootout as well as the first goal at 6:20 in the second period.

The other Canucks' marksman, Mason Raymond, scored on a wrist shot two minutes later on a power play.

Calgary replied with two goals later in the period by Alex Tanguay and Mikael Backlund.

The scoreless third period and overtime set the stage for the shootout.

Alex Burrows and Tanguay traded goals in the shootout before Kassian put the game away.

Canuck Cory Schneider and Flame Miikka Kuprusoff were each solid in the nets, blocking 34 of 36 shots through overtime. Calgary outshot the Canucks 4-1 in overtime.

There were hundreds of empty seats in the lower part of Rogers Arena, suggesting that many season ticket holders stayed away.