The Seattle Kraken went to a preseason hockey game Thursday night at Climate Pledge Arena, and a fight broke out. Actually, a whole bunch of fights. When the puck was in play, a second-string Calgary Flames line-up showed up the Kraken for two periods before the home team’s stirring comeback for a 4-3 win.
The third of four Seattle preseason games doubled as a dress rehearsal, as a veteran lineup took the ice. Down 3-1, Seattle got 3rd period goals by Brandon Montour and Ryker Evans. The Kraken won the shootout, 2-1 on goals by Matty Beniers and Berkly Catton.
Kraken newcomer Mackie Samoskevich was leveled and stunned by a Chase Harrington hit in the 2nd period. Seattle, not always known for responding to opponents’ aggression, engaged the visitors in several bouts. The teams combined for 65 PIMs in the period, 42 by Seattle.
1st Period Goals
1-0 Calgary: Never a good idea to leave an opponent alone at the top of the crease to accept a pass. That’s what the Kraken did with Jonathan Castagna. 35 seconds later, Aydar Suniev rings a high-danger shot off the post.
1-1 Tie: Jordan Eberle shovels a puck from the slot to an open Bobby McMann, who does just what the Kraken paid him $35 million to do.
2nd Period Goals:
2-1 Calgary: If Seattle was hoping the McMann goal would right the good ship Kraken, uh uh. Rory Kerins breaks the tie.
3-1 Calgary: On a 5-on-3, Suniev doubles the Calgary lead, Suniev’s third goal against Seattle in two preseason games.
3rd Period Goals:
3-2 Calgary: If at first you don’t succeed… Montour wires a laser to bring Seattle within one.
3-3 Tie: More offense from Kraken D as Ryker Evans slices in and scores from a severe angle.
Notables
From the “that was unexpected” file: Chandler Stephenson flattens Tyson Gross with a heavy check. Hitting by both teams was fierce, legal and otherwise.
Two Kraken questions were pleasingly answered in the affirmative. Off-season didn’t cool off McMann’s nose for the net. Goalie Philipp Grubauer maintained his strong 2025-26 form, keeping this game from getting out of hand. He also stopped overtime breakaways by Hunter Brzustewicz and Mike Benning among his 32 saves.
Catton set up Kaapo Kakko breaking to the net on a 2-0n-1, but Calgary goalie Devin Cooley responded with an unbelievable glove save.
Eberle appeared to have a second apple, setting up Brandon Montour late in the 2nd, but the Flames won an offside challenge. With the game tied in the 3rd, Montour’s Superman dive in the crease knocked a loose puck off the goal line.
By The Numbers
Goals by period: Calgary 1-2-0-0 (3); Seattle 1-0-2-1 (4)
Shots by period: Calgary 14-10-9-2 (35); Seattle 6-9-9-2 (26)
Power Plays: Calgary 1-5; Seattle 0-2
Next up: The final of four preseason games, Saturday at 4 pm in Vancouver.
Recent Seattle:
— 34.5-million Kraken reasons for interest in McMann’s contract
Recent Canucks:
— Helpful Canucks, Kraken, NHL Notes For Gamblers
POSTGAME KRAKEN REACTION!!
