It was the first regular season win for the Seattle Kraken over the Vancouver Canucks in seven tries and there was never any doubt.
Seattle put on a bit of a clinic in the first period of Wednesday night’s game against the Canucks, not only in terms of puck possession, but also with the forecheck. While Seattle transitioned smoothly, Vancouver coughed up pucks, particularly in their own end.
The official stats after one period regarding takeaways and giveaways were absurdly inaccurate, just leave it at that. Shots on goal were 18-7 Seattle.
After Seattle scored its second goal in the first period, Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet burned his team’s time-out.
The Canucks would look to do what they did at home on December 22nd when they beat the Kraken 6-5 in a shoot-out, coming from behind on three separate occasions.
Not a chance.
Goal Scorers:
1st Period
1-0 Kraken – Even Strength – Oliver Bjorkstrand (8) from Adam Larsson and Vince Dunn, 7:57
Bjorkstrand buried a huge rebound from the slot off a scramble and after lots of pressure from the Kraken.
2-0 Kraken – Power Play – Alexander Wennberg (9) from Jordan Eberle and Jared McCann, 9:46
A shot/pass caromed down low to Wennberg who was in position just above the crease to tip it home.
2nd Period
3-0 Kraken – Power Play – Jared McCann (23) from Jordan Eberle and Andre Burakovsky, 5:55
Off a cross-ice feed, McCann, the former Vancouver draft pick, ripped home a wrister from the left circle.
4-0 Kraken – Even Strength – Eeli Tolvanen (8) from Yanni Gourde and Vince Dunn, 7:50
One timer slapper from the very high slot.
5-0 Kraken – Even Strength – Oliver Bjorkstrand (9) from Adam Larsson and Yanni Gourde, 16:15
Bjorkstrand had all day to set-up and fire a wrister from the right wing circle past Spencer Martin, blocker side.
5-1 Kraken – Even Strength – Conor Garland (9) from Curtis Lazar and Dakota Joshua, 19:52
Off a scramble, Garland finished off the play be swiping it past Martin Jones through a crowded slot.
3rd Period
6-1 Kraken – Even Strength – Ryan Donato (12) from Jared McCann, 2:36
Donato finished with a backhander after handling a bouncing cross-ice pass.
— Shots on goal finished 35-20 in favor of Seattle. Power plays: Canucks 0-for-4, Seattle 2-for-3.
3 Stars:
1) Oliver Bjorkstrand – Two goals, four shots on goal in under 14 minutes.
2) Jared McCann – Goal and two assists for the club’s leading goal scorer.
3) Adam Larsson – Added two assists while leading the club in ice time.
