Flames’ Backlund exits vs. Canucks with upper-body injury

The Calgary Flames had their captain for only the opening frame Wednesday night.

Mikael Backlund suffered an upper-body injury in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks and was ruled out for the rest of the game when the teams returned for the second frame.

The Swedish forward logged just 2:58 of ice time over five shifts, his last coming a little more than halfway through the first.

During that final shift, Backlund, 35, delivered a hit on Canucks defenceman Victor Mancini along the boards and appeared to be in some discomfort afterwards.

Through 63 games this season, Backlund has 24 points (11 goals and 13 assists).

The Flames (30-23-10) entered Wednesday’s game occupying the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, one point ahead of the Canucks.