FINAL: Seattle Kraken 4, Detroit Red Wings 2
We expected an entertaining hockey game, the Red Wings coming in on a five-game win streak and the Kraken defending home ice while feeling pretty good about themselves and playing in front of their dads.
In fact, one of the dads we featured earlier on Saturday had the opportunity to see his son score the opening goal of the game, that would be Darren and Jordan Eberle. Detroit goalie Ville Husso was the victim.
The chances mounted in the first period, with both teams firing ten shots on goal. The energy from the capacity crowd at Climate Pledge Arena was palpable.
Pius Suter tied the game off a scramble in front of Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer with just 16-seconds remaining in the 1st period.
Kraken Goal Scorers
1st Period
1-0 Kraken – Even Strength – Jordan Eberle (12) from Carson Soucy, 16:50
Eberle’s shot through a D-man’s screen from the slot snuck through Husso.
2nd Period
2-1 Kraken – Even Strength – Jordan Eberle (13) from Matty Beniers and Jared McCann, 2:05
On a nice feed from Beniers in the left circle, Eberle took the pass in the slot, used a screen and went stick-side.
3-1 Kraken – Even Strength (4-on-4) – Jamie Oleksiak (6) from Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle, 19:52
Going to the net, the “big rig” re-directed a centering pass from Beniers.
3rd Period
4-1 Kraken – Even Strength – Eeli Tolvanen (12) from Daniel Sprong and Will Borgen, 4:49
Borgen’s wrister hit Sprong in front and the puck dropped down to Tolvanen who took two whacks at it.
— Detroit captain Dylan Larkin scored at 17:39 of the third period, with Detroit’s goalie pulled, unassisted, to cut the score to 4-2.
— Tolvanen is the 11th Kraken player to reach double figures in goals with the club this season. (He had two with Nashville this season before arriving in Seattle). That leads the NHL.
— Seattle D-man Justin Schultz took a puck off the face or throat mid-3rd period and headed to the dressing room. He returned five minutes later and continued playing.
— The Kraken ended up out-shooting the Red Wings 26-24. Power plays: Detroit went 0-for-3, Seattle 0-for-2
Kraken 3 Stars:
1) Jordan Eberle – Two goals and an assist in front of dad Darren.
2) Matty Beniers – Two assists for the tenacious rookie.
3) Philipp Grubauer – Had some big save sequences, particularly throughout the 3rd period.
