Kraken Playing for Pride

By Bo Crouch ~ Axess Sports

Seattle - The Kraken entered the day with a slim chance of getting into the post season. Although unlikely there was a still a chance that was laid out with not only winning out but needing everyone in front of them to lose out.

By the time the puck dropped those chances were washed away. With four games to go including tonight against the Flames, Seattle has to dig deep not only to put on a good show for the home crowd but also to make sure you keep their spot on the roster moving forward.

Period 1

The Kraken and Flames skated through a scoreless but tightly contested opening period Saturday night at Climate Pledge Arena, with both sides leaning on structure, goaltending and staying out of the penalty box to keep the game even.

Calgary dictated much of the early pace, generating sustained offensive zone time and outshooting Seattle 12-6 in the first 20 minutes. The Flames established their forecheck and created multiple looks from the slot, but Seattle’s netminder stood firm, turning aside all 12 shots faced to keep the game level. A solid effort in his first NHL game at goal.

The Kraken, meanwhile, found their rhythm through puck possession and faceoff dominance, winning over 60 percent of draws in the period. That control helped Seattle settle things down midway through the frame, leading to a handful of chances off the rush and a near breakthrough on a tip attempt in tight that just missed the mark.

Despite the steady flow of chances at both ends, neither team capitalized. Calgary’s pressure and shot volume contrasted with Seattle’s efficiency in possession, setting up a balanced, physical tone heading into the intermission.

After one period, the game remained scoreless at 0-0, with the Flames holding the edge in shots and the Kraken countering with strong defensive structure and timely saves.

Period 2

Calgary opened the scoring early in the period, capitalizing on a breakdown in coverage to take a 1-0 lead. The goal came off a quick developing play in the offensive zone, giving the Flames their first breakthrough after a scoreless opening frame.

Seattle responded with urgency and quickly flipped momentum. The Kraken generated sustained pressure and found the equalizer just minutes later, finishing a net-front opportunity to tie the game 1-1 and energize the home crowd.

The turning point of the period came midway through, when Seattle struck again to take its first lead of the night. Off a transition rush, the Kraken converted a clean scoring chance to make it 2-1, continuing to build momentum.

Seattle wasn’t done. Late in the period, the Kraken extended the lead to 3-1, capitalizing on another offensive push and putting Calgary on its heels heading into the intermission.

The Flames pushed back in the final minutes, but Seattle’s defensive structure held firm to preserve the two-goal cushion.

After two periods, the Kraken led 3-1, using a three-goal second period to seize full control after Calgary initially opened the scoring.

Period 3

Seattle closes out the game with a composed third period, adding an insurance goal to defeat the Calgary 4-1 at Climate Pledge Arena.

Holding a 3-1 lead entering the final frame, Seattle focused on structure and puck management, limiting Calgary’s ability to generate sustained offense. The Flames pushed for a comeback and earned a pair of power-play opportunities, but the Kraken penalty kill held firm, preventing any momentum swing.

Calgary controlled stretches of possession and finished with 27 shots in the game, but Seattle’s goaltending remained steady, turning aside every third-period attempt to preserve the two-goal cushion and sealing the victory for Nikke Kokko the Kraken's rookie goalie in his first ever NHL start.

The Kraken sealed the win late. With the Flames net empty, Jordan Eberle scored at 18:31 to extend the lead to 4-1, putting the game out of reach.

Seattle’s disciplined defensive effort and timely finish capped a strong final period, securing the 4-1 victory after a decisive three-goal second period.

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