Brandon Manning burned for goal in return home vs. Canucks

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia — It’s been a couple of years since Brandon Manning got to play in front of family members.

Born in Prince George, about nine hours from Vancouver, he had his parents, grandparents, two younger sisters and other friends at Monday’s Flyers-Canucks game.

They all flew in. It meant a lot to the 25-year-old defenseman, who played 17:39 during the Flyers' 4-1 loss at Rogers Arena (see game recap).

“Oh, no question,” he said. “My parents have seen me play before, I think. Last time was Toronto my first year, my second NHL game.

“It’s been a while for them to see me live, but growing up, watching the Canucks on TV and being from B.C., I think it’s definitely special for them to see something like that.”

They probably felt bad for him after this game ended.

Manning, who didn’t dress in Buffalo, got burned in the third period when Canucks rookie Jake Virtanen chipped a puck past him, picked it up and scored a killer goal for a 3-1 lead.

For all intents and purposes, that was it for the Flyers.

“I kinda jumped down and thought I had a loose puck,” Manning said. “I don't know if it hit his stick or my stick. I've got to be better. I've been getting caught in those situations lately. A bad bounce or bad read by me. Either way, I've got to be better.”

The Flyers had a poor start once again in this game and had to play catch-up.

“You’re forcing things,” Manning said. “You’re trying for the long plays and kinda pressing in situations you shouldn’t. If we had better starts, with a one- or two-goal lead, it would make things easier.”

Manning speculated before the game that he might be a trifle nervous on the ice.

“I've always been good with it,” he said. “I think I'm trying to embrace it a little bit here the last couple days, hang out with them and seeing them around and what not.

“It's nice for them to come around and be around practice, seeing the way it works. I'm sure for the first little bit I'll be a little more nervous tonight just being in Vancouver with so many people here. But after that it's just another hockey game.”

Incidentally, Manning drives home from Philadelphia to Prince George every summer. It takes him 44 hours.

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