FINAL: Seattle Kraken 3, Colorado Avalanche 2
Seattle moved to within one win of advancing to the Western Conference semi-finals.
With injury and suspension affecting each team, the line-ups took on a different look. American Hockey League rookie-of-the-year Tye Kartye, an undrafted free agent signing by the Kraken out of the Soo Greyhounds (Sault Ste. Marie) of the Ontario Hockey League, filled in on the wing for injured Jared McCann.
Quite a spot for an NHL debut in a pivotal game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Kartye is known for playing a heavy game, with a great shot, which he utilized in scoring 28 goals in 78 AHL games for the Coachella Valley Firebirds this season. He added 29 assists.
Meanwhile, with star Colorado defenseman Cale Makar sitting out Game-5 with a one-game suspension for injuring McCann with a late hit in Game-4, recently dinged up veteran D-man Jack Johnson assumed the position.
The solid goaltending match-up continued in this series with Philipp Grubauer going for Seattle and Alexandar Georgiev starting for the defending champs.
1st Period
The Kraken out-shot the Avalanche 15-8 but couldn’t solve Georgiev. Seattle dominated play as Colorado struggled with the Kraken forecheck.
Kraken Goal Scorers:
2nd Period
1-0 Kraken – Even Strength – Morgan Geekie (2) from Jaden Schwartz and Alexander Wennberg, 6:35
On a Schwartz shot from the left wing circle, Geekie was there to bang home the rebound 5-hole on Georgiev.
— On somewhat of a muff by Grubauer playing the puck along the endboards just 1:20 after his team had scored, Nathan MacKinnon tipped in a shot-pass from Mikko Rantanen along the left wing boards off the turnover. Tie game.
2-1 Kraken – Even Strength – Tye Kartye (1) from Jordan Eberle and Will Borgen, 9:59
Just 2:04 after Colorado tied it, Seattle retook the lead. Kartye ripped home a one-timer from the right wing circle for a goal in his first ever game.
— Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson left the game after two periods and didn’t return.
3rd Period
3-1 Kraken – Even Strength – Yanni Gourde (2) from Carson Soucy and Oliver Bjorkstrand, 1:40
Gourde gained body position in front and was able to reach out and deflect home a point shot.
— In the luckiest moment of the series, the Avalanche picked up a goal with 3:37 remaining on a point shot from Evan Rodrigues. His shot first deflected off the stick of Alexander Wennberg, was going five feet wide, but hit Kraken D-man Jamie Oleksiak in the chest and went in. The Kraken held on in the closing minutes with Colorado threatening with the net empty and an extra attacker.
— Shots on goal favored Seattle 29-28. Power plays: Seattle 0-for-2, Colorado 0-for-2.
— Game-6 is Friday night at Climate Pledge Arena.
Kraken 3 Stars:
1) Yanni Gourde – Game winning goal, his line dominated. 3 shots on goal, 4 hits, 3 takeaways.
2) Oliver Bjorkstrand – An assist, 3 shots on goal, a hit, and endless energy.
3) Tye Kartye – Scored a goal and delivered 3 hits in his NHL debut in just 8:41 of ice time.
