Canucks coach John Tortorella said after the game that he was happy that his team defeated the Phoenix Coyotes.

But he hated the way it was done.

That's because the Canucks blew a 2-0 third-period lead against a key Pacific Division rival at Rogers Arena.

By allowing Phoenix to tie the game and send it into overtime, the Canucks gave away a point.

But a goal by Canucks winger Chris Higgins at 3:41 of overtime gave the Canucks a 3-2 victory.

It was the Canucks' fourth win in five games and marked an auspicious begnning to a five-game homestand.

Canucks defenceman Jason Garrison opened the scoring with a power-play slapshot from the point at 1:26 of the second period.

A late goal in the same period by Henrik Sedin gave the home team a 2-0 margin.

However, a hard slapshot by Antoine Vermette midway through the third period brought the Coyotes within one. And just over two minutes later, David Moss banged in a rebound to tie the game.

Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo faced 17 third-period shots and 38 over the entire game. Mike Smith blocked 29 of 32 shots in the Phoenix goal.