Earlier this summer for a PNH story, Simmer asked me which Seattle Kraken prospects would end up making an impact for the NHL club this season. My answer was defenseman Ty Nelson and forward Jagger Firkus.
We can’t know yet whether Nelson (profile here) and Firkus (profile here) are in Seattle’s opening night plans, but the pair certainly made an impact Sunday in preseason game #2. Nelson scored his second goal of the weekend, and Firkus added a power play goal in the Kraken’s 4-2 victory at the Saddledome.
Logan Morrison scored the game-winner, his second goal and the fourth Seattle power play goal of the weekend.
Just like Joey Daccord Saturday against Vancouver at CPA, regular Kraken netminder Philipp Grubauer played well over 40 minutes. Like Daccord, Grubauer erased d-zone mistakes, stopping 15 of 16 Calgary shots.
Nikke Kokko once again took over in the 3rd period. With 70 seconds left and Seattle down two men, Kokko saved the win with a 10-bell stop on Dryden Hunt.
1st Period Goals
1-0 Seattle: Logan Morrison entered the zone with Jani Nyman, dropping a pass to Nelson, the trailer. In almost the same position between the circles as Saturday night, the 22-year-old tickled the twine with a rising glove-side wrister.
2-0 Seattle: It was a deflected, rolling puck that came to Firkus at the top of the left circle. No matter; he perfectly one-timed a bomb on the power play.
2-1 Seattle: Aydar Suniev, a 3rd round Flames pick in 2023, scores the first of his two goals.
3rd Period Goals
2-2 Tie: Suniev again, with nine minutes left.
3-2 Seattle: A minute later, Morrison, Saturday’s 1st star, puts the Kraken back on top on the power play, with a sublime tip of Tyson Jugnauth’s long-range floater.
4-2: With Calgary skating 6-on-4 (power play + pulled goalie), J.R. Avon parked an empty-netter to complete a three-point night.
Kraken Lineup
In addition to Grubauer, the only full-time Kraken player dressed Sunday was forward Ryan Winterton. 6-foot-9 forward Curtis Douglas, who split time between Tampa and Vancouver last season and was signed as a free agent, also made his Seattle debut.
Seven prospects who didn’t suit up in Saturday’s 4-2 home win over the Canucks got their first opportunity against the Flames. They included four forwards (Carson Rekhopf, Avon, Mitchell Stephens, and Nathan Villeneuve) and three defensemen (Kaden Hammell, Caden Price, and Gustav Olofsson).
Kraken Notable
Kraken assistant coach Aaron Schneekloth spoke approvingly about Nelson, the 5-foot-10, 208 pound blueliner, a 3rd round Kraken selection in 2022.
“You can see the growth from rookie camp. He looks more comfortable out there. He’s leaned on some of our veterans. They’ve done a nice job making him feel comfortable, allowing him to play his game. He’s been a bright spot in training camp.”
By The Numbers
Goals by period: Calgary 1-0-1 (2); Seattle 2-0-2 (4)
Shots by period: Calgary 9-7-8 (24); Seattle 7-8-8 (23)
Power Plays: Calgary 0-6; Seattle 2-5
Next up: These teams rematch Thursday at Climate Pledge Arena, 6:40 pm puck drop.
Earlier Kraken:
— Dunn: Expect “Positive Changes From Kraken Leadership Group”
