(Reuters) - The Vancouver Canucks started slowly but roared into life in the second period to claim a fifth straight victory with a thumping 5-1 home win over the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

Lee Stempniak had opened the scoring for the Flames late in the first period before the Canucks (7-2-2) bagged two goals in a 27-second span midway through the second to seize control of the game.

Alexandre Burrows scored his third of the campaign before Jordan Schroeder claimed his first ever NHL goal to put the Canucks ahead, then Kevin Bieksa blasted a rocket from near the blue line late in the period to extend the lead to 3-1.

Chris Higgins added an insurance goal and Schroeder doubled his tally in the third period to ensure the Flames left Vancouver with a 3-4-2 record.

(Reporting by Ben Everill in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien)