Night One - 12/20/2023
On a crisp December evening in Los Angeles, the Seattle Kraken arrived bearing goodwill and maybe a few mischievous grins. The Kings looked ready for a royal feast, but the Kraken had other ideas—namely, serving up a merry surprise wrapped in ribbons of resilience and sprinkled with holiday cheer.
The first period passed quietly, as if both teams were shy party guests hovering near the mistletoe. Then, in the second period, Brandon Tanev burst forth like a reindeer on Christmas Eve, turning a humble puck into a sleigh full of joy. His goal broke the ice and sent a joyful hum through the visiting crowd, as if bells were jingling faintly above the rink.
By the time the third period rolled around, the Kraken knew it was time to decorate their lead. Jordan Eberle stepped forward and placed a goal on the scoreboard as delicately as hanging a fragile ornament on a towering evergreen tree. With help from Matty Beniers and Will Borgen, Eberle’s tally shimmered like lights on a frosty windowpane, making it 2 to 0.
The Kings, not wanting coal in their stockings, fought back with a shorthanded marker to tighten the score. This only fueled Seattle’s determination. Joey Daccord turned away shot after shot, his pads and glove working overtime like busy elves in Santa’s workshop. He faced 43 attempts that night, surrendering just one, his calm presence as comforting as a mug of hot cocoa on a snowy evening.
As the final horn sounded, the Kraken skated away with a 2 to 1 win and a warm glow of satisfaction. In that moment, fans knew something special had begun—an enchanting run that would brighten the darkest December nights.