NHL: Vancouver 4, Detroit 2

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Christopher Higgins and Cody Hodgson scored 21 seconds apart in the first period Wednesday, igniting the Vancouver Canucks to a 4-2 win over Detroit.

Higgins and Hodgson both beat Jimmy Howard with slap shots and Alex Burrows did the same with 4:20 left in the opening stanza to give the Canucks a 3-1 lead.

Drew Miller brought the Red Wings within one in the second period, but Alexander Edler scored a shorthanded goal 3:30 into the third to give Vancouver some breathing room.

The Canucks won their third straight and their 12th in 15 games. Detroit had won five of its previous six.

Roberto Luongo fought off a typically difficult challenge from the Red Wings, stopping 39 shots. Detroit is third in the NHL in shots on goal, having moved past the 1,100 mark for the season during Wednesday's game.

Howard allowed the four goals on 26 shots.