Too Hot to Handle, Kraken Lose to Flames 6-3

The Seattle Kraken could not extinguish the Flames and lost 6-3. The loss ended the Kraken’s 2-game win streak and really had Seattle fans shaking their heads. How on Earth did they just lose to Calgary? One of the worst teams in the NHL, and at home? As mentioned this morning, good teams win the games they are supposed to, and the Kraken were supposed to win this game.

The game was at times entertaining, even though the team completely choked.

Nothing better than hockey on Saturday night. If for some reason you were not able to catch this game, here is what you missed.

An interesting first period to say the least. The game started much like most games this season, both teams sort of feeling each other out. Early in the period, during one of the Kraken’s first offensive pushes, Calgary forward Andrew Mangiapane crosschecked a semi-defenseless Jared McCann, while McCann was already facedown on the ice. The hit was to the back of the head/neck of McCann, smashing his face into the ice.

Dirty hit. Stupid hit.

Andrew Mangiapane received a match penalty (5 minute major and a game misconduct) and the Kraken went on a 5 minute man-advantage. Seattle was able to score, a really nice wrister by Oliver Bjorkstrand. Dude will end up leading the team in scoring this year, watch.

Calgary was able to score a pretty limp wristed goal a few minutes later to tie the game 1-1. With about 3 minutes and change left in the period Eeli Tolvanen was able to bury a slick pass from Yanni Gourde to put the Kraken up 2-1. Pretty exciting first period.

The second period began much like the first, very evenly matched. Both teams struggled early with zone entry, which is what happens when both teams are playing defensive hockey. The two teams exchanged a few series of weak scoring chances and partial rushes. Both goalies played well enough to keep the score the same.

I will say that Grubauer looked great through 2 periods. Zero signs of any lingering effects from the ‘injury scare’ from last game. He looked awesome, franchise caliber goalie. Late in the second Calgary went on the mad-advantage and Gru was great. Calgary was able to finally bury one with seconds left on the kill, and took an odd bounce. Flames tied it up 2-2.

The third period started just how the second period ended, with Calgary scoring. The Flames just outworked the Kraken and were rewarded with another lame goal. Sloppy defense leading to a gimmie goal. The Flames led 3-2.

Out came the Seattle Boo-birds and a few minutes later the Flames turned up the heat and pinned the Kraken deep in their own zone. They ended up scoring on their 4th attempt, to take  4-2 lead. At this point you could just feel the game getting out of hand. I am not sure why head coach Dave Hakstol did not call a timeout to settle things down. Wow. The Kraken looked lost.

The period went on with more of the same until the Kraken pulled Grubauer and scored with 90 seconds left. Jaden Schwartz buried a goal and continued to show why is the captain of this squad. Kraken down 4-3. The Flames were able to score an air hockey type empty net goal and went up 5-3.

Seattle pulled Gru again and Calgary scored, again. Score 6-3 Flames, and that sealed the game.

Negatives

• Calgary won. This one is strange to me. Seattle should have won this game, they just played down to the Flames’ level. That ‘strategy’ isn’t going to cut it. The Flames suck, how did Seattle just lose to them? Wowza.
• Kraken defensemen could not clear the house. Calgary had traffic in front of Grubauer all game, one of the 3 keys to victory that they could not take care of.
• Matty Beniers continued his scoreless streak. Dude needs to really get it going, the team was successful last season because he gave them a true number 1 center. Right now, they do not have that.
• Jordan Eberle once again was invisible. Radiohead has a song called How to Disappear Completely, I think it was written about Eberle.

Positives

• Kraken goalie Philip Grubauer was great, in spite of what the numbers look like. Our guy stood on his head the entire game, surrendering a couple of lucky goals that in all honesty were not completely his fault. Kraken fans can rest knowing that aside from the occasional off game (all goalies have them), when Gru is in net, they will always have a chance to win.
• Yanni Gourde played a great game and had 2 assists. I love this guy’s game. He has a high motor and plays at one speed. Dude is a winner and it rubs off on his teammates.
• Jaden Schwartz scored again. He is leading the team in scoring, and should be their captain. Love this guy.

Final Takeaways

The Seattle Kraken are not as good as we want them to be, that is crystal clear. This was a game that should have helped get this season on track, as well as get out ‘star’ players to return to form. This game should have been a slump buster, but might have ended up being a game that delivered a little truth serum. Right now, the Kraken are simply just not a very good team. The continued struggles from players like Jordan Eberle and Alex Wennberg could lead to the team shipping them out this year. As handsome as these guys are, they aren’t making a difference on the ice. Sorry ladies, they might need to go.

The team heads to Tempe, Arizona to take on the Coyotes. Should be a fun game, the Coyotes are actually a good team and they play at a rink that barely has enough seats for college hockey games. I love it.

Fear the deep!