The Kraken looked to win on home ice for the first time this regular season as they hosted the pesky Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.
Mission accomplished with a 6-4 victory. The win included the fastest two goals in franchise history when captain Jordan Eberle and Shane Wright scored eight seconds apart late in the 2nd period (17:44 and 17:52).
Goaltender Philipp Grubauer’s performance should not be overlooked. “Gruby” made some big saves during the first half of the hockey game to keep things close, particularly late in the 1st period.
After trailing 1-0 and then 2-1, the Kraken took control in the 2nd period after Jared McCann tied things up 2-2 at the 3:08 mark. Later in the stanza Seattle’s offense exploded for three goals in a 2:55 span.
There was no shortage of power play opportunities, with plenty of ticky-tack calls being made on penalty infractions that were often embellished. The Kraken finished 1-for-5 on the power play, the Flyers 1-for-4.
Feisty Kraken Fun
After a somewhat cheap hit by Seattle’s Brandon Tanev late in the 2nd period on Travis Konecny, one that sent the Flyers forward to concussion protocol, tensions increased.
After returning in the 3rd period, “TK” eventually dropped the mitts with Kraken disturber Yanni Gourde with 7:56 remaining. Philadelphia used the momentum from the rough stuff to cut a 5-2 Seattle lead to 5-4.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, the Kraken’s NHL All-Star Game representative last season, scored on a breakaway to put the game away at the 14:52 mark.
Through two home games this season, Seattle has shown more physical zest, sticking up for home ice and for each other. They’ll have a chance to continue the trend as this five-game home stand continues against the much improved Calgary Flames on Saturday night.
