Calgary Flames 2, Seattle Kraken 1, in a shoot-out
It was an ugly night at Climate Pledge Arena, whether the Kraken won or lost.
A Seattle team already aching with injuries suffered another one. Key veteran defenseman Vince Dunn left the game in the 2nd period and did not return. His departure came after he served two minutes in the penalty box for roughing Flames agitator Martin Pospisil. No prognosis provided.
It was Pospisil who injured Dunn and earned a three-game suspension with a hit from behind in March of 2024.
Dunn joins an already somewhat lengthy list of banged up Seattle players, including another essential blueliner, Brandon Montour. Forwards Chandler Stephenson, Jared McCann and Kaapo Kakko are also on the list.
On the bright side, 2025 1st-round NHL Draft pick Berkly Catton opened the scoring for Seattle in the 2nd period, beating the seemingly unbeatable Dustin Wolf. The Flames goalie turned aside 17 shots in the first period, ten of them considered grade-A scoring chances.
Midway through the 2nd, Flames forward Matvei Gridin tied the game 1-1 on a breakaway. He beat Philipp Grubauer, the returning Seattle netminder in a tight battle with newcomer Matt Murray for the Kraken’s back-up goalie spot.
Wolf at the other end was the star of the game. Seattle outshot Calgary 36-21 with many of his saves being “ten-bell’ers”. The home team also outhit the visitors 40-20.
In the final minute of overtime, Seattle forward Eeli Tolvanen ripped a shot that hit one post, bounced down, hit the other post, and bounced away. They were that close.
Instead, the Kraken lost in a shoot-out. Freddie Gaudreau, brought in for his face-off and shoot-out capabilities, did light the lamp for Seattle in the skills competition.
Unfortunately for the local patrons, two Flames tallied goals to win it.
