The script that worked for the Seattle Kraken on opening night in Calgary turned out equally effective in Sunday’s home-opening 6-1 win over those same Flames at Climate Pledge Arena.
This time, it was three goals in the first eight minutes instead of two – by Berkly Catton, Mackie Samoskevich (the first of his two goals), and Bobby McMann – and another strong night in net from Joey Daccord (32 saves).
Following one simple Daccord glove save, Ryan Lindgren and Freddy Gaudreau earned stick taps for keeping his line of sight clear. After a tougher post-to-post save on Adam Klapka’s wraparound, fans at CPA serenade the goalie with chants of “Joey, Joey.”
Daccord’s shutout lasted 57 minutes in Calgary Oct. 1 before Ryan Strome ruined it. Sunday, Daccord stayed with Igor Sharangovich’s challenging 3rd period redirection to keep his whitewash alive, before he was pierced by Morgan Frost’s power play goal with 5:35 left.
1st Period Goals
1-0 Seattle: Last year, the chances didn’t often go in for Catton. This one, a left circle snipe across his body, does. Catton was on a line tonight with Shane Wright and Kaapo Kakko.
2-0 Seattle: Speed-oskevich: the newest Kraken chases down Brandon Montour’s floating clear behind the Calgary defense and parks a backhand for his first Kraken goal.
3-0 Seattle: That six year, $34.5 million contract Seattle signed McMann to is looking like the best bargain in town right now, as McMann scores for the second straight game.
2nd Period Goals
4-0 Seattle: Shane Wright extends the lead with a nifty no-look backhander from the slot, set up by Catton.
5-0 Seattle: How to become a fan favorite real quick. Samoskevich scores again, 26 seconds before intermission.
3rd Period Goals
5-1 Seattle: Defenseman Ville Ottovainen, playing his first Kraken game of the season, is whistled for high sticking. Frost breaks the shutout on the Flames PP.
6-1 Seattle: Captain Jordan Eberle needs just 39 seconds to get that one back, a perfectly placed laser under the crossbar from the top of the right circle.
Kraken Notables
After opening night introductions, Kraken players gathered at center ice.
Both teams were on the second night of back-to-back games, after each lost Saturday night.
In their two victories, the Kraken have outscored the Flames, 12-2. Calgary goalie Dustin Wolf (21 saves) will be seeing Seattle shooters in his nightmares. Kraken two-point nights: Samoskevich, Catton, Montour, and Chandler Stephenson.
Sonics legend Detlef Schrempf got an enormous ovation when he was shown on the video boards. Seattle Mariner Josh Nailor was also in attendance.
Not dressed: injured Jacob Melanson; healthy scratches Josh Mahura, Cale Fleury, and Ben Meyers.
By The Numbers
Goals by period: Calgary 0-0-1 (1); Seattle 3-2-1 (6)
Shots by period: Calgary 11-10-12 (33); Seattle 8-8-11 (27)
Power Plays: Calgary 1-2; Seattle 0-0
Next up: A brief, two game homestand concludes Tuesday when the Vegas Golden Knights come to town, 6:40 pm puck drop.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Receive Mixed Grades For Artistic Choices
Earlier Canucks:
— Simmer’s Turbo 9; Canucks, Kraken, PWHL, USA vs. Canada
POSTGAME VIDEO: “Kraken Reaction” !! …
