Rick Tocchet publicly called out Jake DeBrusk for his poor performance in recent games, and now the Canucks forward responded with his own statement. <a href='https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/stars-vs-canucks-hard-to-beat-one-of-the-nhls-best-without-finishing' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>In Sunday's 4-1 home loss to the Dallas Stars</a>, Jake DeBrusk's ice time dipped below 13 minutes for the second time of the season. Coach Rick Tocchet put him alongside struggling goal-scorers Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser and instructed them they would have to work for their minutes. You've got to earn your ice time around here, Tocchet told reporters after the game. That's how you win. So you guys can stir it up all you want (but) you have to earn your ice time. That's the way it works. That's how you win Stanley Cups. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1898956920876093784'> </a></blockquote></div> <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/vancouver-canucks/rick-tocchet-drops-brutally-honest-response-for-benching-canucks-star-forwards' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Tocchet wasn't being cruel, just honest.</a> Disappointment rather than frustration was in his voice, the same as DeBrusk's when talking about the comments on Monday. The winger conceded he could have been better. I hate to say that I agree with him because you don't want to admit that, DeBrusk said. But at the same point, he's just calling a spade a spade. You know, I was pretty pissed off, to be honest with you. Pretty embarrassed. But at the same time, I mean, I wasn't doing enough to help the team win. And Toc's an honest guy, an honest coach. He's one of the reasons why I signed here. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/DonnieandDhali/status/1899235065781199344'> </a></blockquote></div> <a href='https://www.nhl.com/canucks/player/jake-debrusk-8478498' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>DeBrusk</a> was initially being lined up with Pettersson, but the past four games have featured him on a line with Boeser and center Pius Suter. <h3>Tocchet wants to see more desperation from his players against the Habs</h3> With the Montreal Canadiens coming to town on Tuesday, during the decisive week in Vancouver's playoff pursuit, Tocchet demanded more desperation from some players. Given the highs and lows DeBrusk has faced in his inaugural season as a Canuck, Sunday's reduced ice time and Tocchet's words were minor setbacks. The bigger problem? Vancouver has been the NHL's lowest-scoring team over the past two months. For DeBrusk, getting to 30 goals now appears to be a requirement, as his career high is 27. One thing is certain, accountability isn't his issue.