We already knew the Seattle Kraken preseason opener Sunday against the Calgary Flames would be different from last year. Not just because of the players and coaches who’ve departed, and the players and coaches who’ve arrived. Or because for the first time, the game was shown on free, over-the-air KONG-TV and streamed on Prime Video.
Last season, the Kraken managed to beat the Flames and lose to the Flames on the same night. A split-squad of players won 5-3 in Calgary and dropped a 3-2 shootout decision at Climate Pledge Arena. The two teams will have a second preseason encounter this year, too, but not until Sept. 30.
As for the 2024-25 curtain-raiser at CPA, a squad of Flames youngsters and hopefuls barbecued a prospect-laden Seattle lineup, 6-1. Kraken social media was left to remind fans that exhibition games don’t count. Too bad a sizeable home crowd had to pay with regular-season money.
1st Period
Three 2024 1st round selections make their first appearances. Center Berkly Catton, chosen 8th overall by Seattle, and defenseman Zayne Parekh, taken by Calgary one pick later. The Flames used their other 1st round choice, 28th overall, on right wing Matvei Gridin.
Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer needs teammate assistance early on and doesn’t get any. Grubauer stops Jake Bean’s blueline wrister and Clark Bishop’s close-in rebound. But when no Kraken skater clears Bishop from the crease, he backhands the second rebound home for a 1-0 Calgary lead at 1:58.
Calgary goes heavy on the forecheck to double their lead at 7:02, with Matt Coronato making it 2-0. Take it away, Allyson (my DJLR pressbox seatmate):
Seattle’s defensive coverage in this 1st period has been, to choose one (hyphenated) word, non-existent. Grubauer once again gets hung out to dry, with Adam Klapka feeling way too comfortable – lonely, even – outside the goalie’s crease for the 3rd Calgary goal at 11:47.
Catton gets a clean look down the slot on a late Seattle power play, but Flames goalie Dustin Wolf has the answer. Wolf, who Coachella Valley Firebirds fans know well from playoff battles with Wolf’s Calgary Wranglers, stops all 14 Kraken shots in the period. Calgary finishes with 10 SOGs, and three SIGs (Shots In Goal).
2nd Period
The new Kraken Hockey Network showed new Seattle coach Dan Bylsma fast-walking back to the dressing room. Though moving too quickly for us to be sure, steam appeared to be coming out of his ears. We’ve rarely seen the affable Bylsma angry, but if looks could kill, some of his players might want to consult their health insurance.
Grubauer’s middle period has a painful start; Calgary’s Cole Schwindt knocks the goalie onto his back, earning an interference penalty. The Kraken press, but don’t score.
Soon after, Tucker Robertson sticks out a leg to trip William Stromgren, a dangerous and frowned-upon maneuver. Artem Grushnikov takes offense, fighting Robertson. The Kraken don’t win that battle, either, but do kill the tripping minor.
Again shorthanded, Byslma sends out his veterans on the PK: Jared McCann, Matty Beniers, Adam Larsson and Ryker Evans. When Sam Morton becomes the latest Flame to plow into Grubauer, the vets are called on to administer some frontier justice. Morton takes the only penalty.
Teen-on-teen crime: Seattle’s Catton upends Hunter Brzustewicz, who falls hard. The apparent stick foul goes unpunished. Calgary’s Parekh hits the post behind Grubauer; on the counter-attack, a thunderous check by Artem Grushnikov derails Max McCormick’s semi-breakaway.
At 12:11, Calgary scores again. Jeremie Poirier beats Grubauer cleanly, increasing the visitors’ lead to 4-0.
3rd Period
Remember, in their first preseason game last year, Calgary destroyed Vancouver, 10-0, and the Canucks did OK after that; just sayin’.
Kraken prospect Nathan Villeneuve, a 2024 2nd round pick, breaks the home team goose-egg at 3:59.
On his way back to the celebration line at the Kraken bench, Villeneuve makes a very on-brand move – a less-than-friendly stick tap to Calgary’s Dryden Hunt, a player trying to stick with his 6th NHL team.
As scheduled beforehand, the Kraken switched goalies to start the period. Ales Stezka, a 2015 Minnesota Wild draft pick out of the Czech Republic, spells Grubauer. Props to Stezka, who moves swiftly post-to-post to rob Coronato from a second goal on the evening.
A potentially missed call leads to a fifth Calgary goal. Catton cuts toward the middle on a semi-breakaway. He’s poke-checked from behind, but also appears to be pulled down and skids into the boards. When Calgary goes the other way, Klapka chips the puck over Stezka for his 2nd goal tonight at 9:35.
The rout grows to 6-1 two minutes later. Martin Frk (who would like to buy a vowel) is – what else is new – left alone by Kraken checkers.
With six minutes left, Seattle has 52 seconds to work a 5-on-3 power play, but it doesn’t work.
Up Next
Following a Monday off-day, the Kraken resume training camp Tuesday morning at Kraken Community Iceplex. Some campers will board a midday flight to Vancouver, where they will face the Canucks in preseason game #2 at 7 pm PST.