Kraken Despair
Overshadowed doesn’t begin to describe it. On the same evening as Game-7 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Seattle Kraken’s AHL affiliate Coachella Valley Firebirds played Game-6 of the Calder Cup final and lost 5-4.
Last year they lost in overtime of Game-7 to Hershey; this time around they lost in overtime of Game-6.
Matt Strome scored the OT Cup winner for the Bears, unassisted at 1:06, off a ghastly turnover by Firebirds forward Devin Shore.
The Firebirds had tied the game with just 2:55 remaining in regulation. Defenseman Cale Fleury tallied with a shot from the slot through traffic on assists to Shane Wright and Cameron Hughes, who both had three helpers on the evening. Fleury made amends; it was his turnover that led to Hershey’s go-ahead goal earlier in the period.
Ryan Winterton scored two goals for Coachella Valley. All four of the aforementioned Firebirds have played games for the Kraken.
It was the largest crowd ever to watch a game at the Giant Center, 11-thousand plus. The Bears hold the AHL record for most Calder Cup championships. They now have 13.
Coachella Valley head coach Dan Bylsma jumps up and begins his duties as the new NHL head coach in Seattle.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Trade Talk; Say No To Patrik Laine
