Several Seattle Kraken players claimed “rust” was to blame for their slow start in Thursday’s 4-3 shootout win vs. Calgary. The Kraken started showroom-new in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Canucks in Vancouver, although the rust reappeared later in an eventual 4-3 loss.
Jake DeBrusk scored with 1:38 left, one second after the end of a power play, to break a 3-3 deadlock. Vancouver connected on two other power plays. Losing goalie Joey Daccord made 26 saves.
The Kraken finish a 3-1-0 in preseason. The enthusiasm must be tempered somewhat by the fact their outcomes came with two games each against less-talented Vancouver and Calgary squads, and veterans largely dressed only for the last two contests.
Goals by Brandon Montour and Bobby McMann staked Seattle to a 2-0 lead in the first eight minutes. Vancouver rallied to tie after 40. Seattle took a 3-2 lead on Berkly Catton’s slick 3rd period goal. Vancouver’s prize defenseman Zeev Buium recovered from getting burned on Catton’s goal to score the 3-3 game-tier.
1st Period Goals
1-0 Seattle: Before the game is three minutes old, Montour blasts a 55-footer down the slot on the power play.
2-0 Seattle: Shots are 8-1 Seattle, and number eight is a McMann goal, depositing a juicy Cale Fleury rebound.
2-1 Seattle: Vancouver scores a power play goal of its own, a tip-in by Brock Boeser.
2nd Period Goals
2-2 Tie: Forward Elias Pettersson finds open space in front. Jonathan Lekkerimäki spots him, Kraken defenders don’t, and the game is tied. Vancouver has tilted the ice with eight of the last 10 shots.
3rd Period Goals
3-2 Seattle: Speed kills, and sick hands don’t hurt, either. On the rush, Ryan Winterton feathers a pass through Zeev Buium’s legs. Accepting in stride, Catton goes forehand-backhand-in.
3-3 Tie: Prized defensive prospect Buium certainly didn’t hang his head. Seattle hasn’t solved its PK woes, as the Canucks have scored twice on the power play.
4-3 Vancouver: Not technically a power play goal, but the Canucks run the Kraken PK ragged before DeBrusk tips in Boeser’s shot a second after the PP ended.
Kraken Notables
Actually, an ex-Kraken notable. Seattle played for the first time against Jamie Oleksiak, who signed as a free agent this summer with the Canucks. Below image: a smiling Oleksiak (right) exchanges pleasantries with Vince Dunn and Jacob Melanson during a 2nd period scrum.
More Melanson: he registered six hits in 9:21 TOI – in the 1st period! The rest of the skaters combined for one in the first 20 minutes. Jacob finished with nine hits.
When Linus Karlsson wouldn’t release Matty Beniers by the players’ benches, sheriff Melanson threw Karlsson to the ice like a rag doll. Luke Schenn put a glove on Melanson’s throat after a whistle.
Winterton and D-man Elias Pettersson fought with 3:38 left in regulation after Pettersson laid a heavy neutral-ice hit on Shane Wright. Winterton’s extra minor put the Kraken fatally shorthanded.
By The Numbers
Goals by period: Vancouver 1-1-2 (4); Seattle 2-0-1 (3)
Shots by period: Vancouver 4-11-15 (30); Seattle 8-12-8 (28)
Power Plays: Vancouver 2-4; Seattle 1-2
Next up: While it’s not true the Kraken will only play the Canucks and Flames this season, Seattle does open the season in Calgary on Thu., Oct. 1, a 6 pm Pacific start.
Earlier Kraken:
— $45-million Reasons To Have Interest in McMann’s Contract
