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Thoughts After Flames Blow Two Goal, Third Period Lead

November 2, 2022, 7:53 PM ET [25 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Seattle Kraken Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Through the first 11 games of the season we are seeing some promising things from this Seattle Kraken group as the team pulled together an impressive come from behind victory last night against the Calgary Flames. Seattle now sits third in the division and fourth in the division in terms of points percentage. Regardless of how you want to look at it, the Kraken are right in the mix a month into the season which is exactly what needed to happen.

The first period was a back and forth affair where neither team really pushed play that much. That was until 5 minutes left in the period where the Flames fourth line defended poorly, along with Ruznika trying to make a hit which left Soucy wide open to skate in and fire the first of the game past Vladar.

In the second period however, it was all Calgary. 5 on 5 scoring chances were 18-6 and HDCF were 9-2 in favor of the Flames. Seattle was lucky to not be down 5-1 halfway through the period and a huge shoutout needs to go to Joey Daccord for keeping the team in it and letting them push themselves back into the game. Once again as the game was approaching the final 5 minutes, Seattle struck again. Once again the Flames fourth line looked slow and plodding and failed to recognize Oleksiak and Geekie moving up the centre of the ice. Geekie didn't hesitate to bury the puck past Vladar for his third goal of the season.

Right now Geekie is shooting 33% which is not sustainable but it is great to see the young player moving with some confidence right now. Last season Geekie had 7 goals in 73 games and looks like he should pass that this season. Seattle's bottom six has a strong mix of skilled, faster players and the Flames fourth line could not keep up.

Unfortunately as the third period went on it appeared as though the Kraken's luck was running out. Even though the chances were fairly even at 5 on 5, the Flames struck early and fast, putting up two goals in the first two minutes of the game. Luckily the Flames fourth line would help out again.

After Brett Ritchie took an interference call after being unable to handle Beniers, the powerplay got to work. Sprong got a look on the top unit PP and made the most of his time. Calgary tried to collapse all over Beniers and Bjorkstrand, leaving Sprong wide open to bury another past Vladar.

Special teams would tie the game up as the Kraken went on a PK later in the game. Gourde just came off the bench and put all kinds of pressure on top pairing player Mackenzie Weegar, slipping past the Calgary blue and making it a 4-4 game. We are seeing a Kraken team that is aggressive regardless of the situation and while we have seen them get burned for it, this was a night where their opponent simply could not handle them.

The player who the Flames tried to zero in on all night was Matty Beniers and with just six minutes left in the game it was easy to see why. I thought it was Milan Lucic who coughed up the puck at his own blueline but that can't be correct because it was the Flames second line that was on the ice and Lucic has no business being there right? Regardless who it was, Jordan Eberle pounced up the ice alongside Matty Beniers on a two one one. I thought Beniers waited to long to get the shot off but I was clearly wrong.

Beniers waited for Vladar to try and stop the shot down low before firing the puck at a wicked angle, almost at the goal-line. That would go on to be the game winner. Beniers now has 5 goals and 9 points through the first 11 games.

Thanks for reading!
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