Kraken win second in a row

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Falling behind 2-0 in the first period every night isn’t a recipe for success, but in their current homestand that’s been a winning formula for the Seattle Kraken.

Last night at Climate Pledge Arena, the Kraken’s opening period against the Columbus Blue Jackets was a replay of the Kraken’s Friday night game with the Vegas Golden Knights. Seattle again trailed 2-0 after 20 minutes, with a lethargic performance against the Blue Jackets who came into the contest winless in their last five games.

However, thanks to an explosive second period that saw the Kraken score four times – including two goals ten seconds apart – Seattle went on to post a 5-2 victory improving its record to 7-8-1 on the season. Five different players recorded goals for the Kraken and ten different players entered the scoring column.

``There were no surprises about the way Columbus was going to play,” said Kraken coach Dan Bylsma. “They were a desperate team and they came out really well, but we should have expected it. I think the attention to our game plan and the attention to the way we wanted to play wasn’t there.”

The Blue Jackets had the first 11 shots of the game and outshot the Kraken 18-6 in the first period. But goaltender Joey Daccord once again kept Seattle in the game.

Bylsma said the team needed a `reset’ in the second period and that was provided by the Kraken’s fourth energy line. Tye Kartye scored his second goal of the season and then Brandon Tanev followed with his third goal in two games.

Andre Burakovsky made what was either a pass or a shot that Kartye cradle in front of the net and then wheeled around to beat Columbus goalie Elvis Merzilkins with a back-hander.

Tanev tied the game when he brought the puck out of the Blue Jackets’ zone, down the left wing, and then cut to the center of the ice where he fired a 10-footer.

The Kraken took the lead only ten seconds later. Between the two goals, the Blue Jackets’ Kevin Lablanc was whistled off for roughing. Seattle scored only six seconds into the power play on `tic-tac-toe’ passing by Jared McCann to Jordan Eberle to Eeli Tolvanen parked at the left side of the net.

Will Borgen finished the second period with his first goal of the season, a slap shot off of a rush. McCann completed the scoring with an empty netter. With a goal and an assist, McCann became the first player to reach the 200-point mark in a Kraken uniform. He now boasts 104 goals and 97 assists in his Seattle career.

Columbus took an early lead as the Blue Jackets hemmed the Kraken in their own zone throughout the first period. The Columbus checking line of Sean Kuraly-Zack Aston-Reese-Kevin Lablanc was responsible for both goals, each coming on Seattle turnovers.

``We fed into their strengths as a team,” Bylsma said. “But I thought the guys responded. Again, the second period was great to see.”

``Our leadership core does a good job in bringing the team up,” said Tanev. ``I think it’s just everyone understanding how to play the right way,” Tanev said. “And then good things will happen.”

The Kraken play the third of a five-game homestand tomorrow (Thursday) night against the Chicago Blackhawks at Climate Pledge.

Scoring Summary

First Period

C- Sean Kuraly (Zach Aston-Reese , Kevin Lablanc) 13:46. C- Aston-Reese (Kuraly, Lablanc) 13:46.

Second Period

S- Tye Kartye 2 (Andre Burakovsky 7, Yanni Gourde 4) 2:50. S- Brandon Tanev 4 (unassisted) 7:13. S- Eeli Tolvanen 5 (Jordan Eberle 4, Jared McCann 11) 7:23. S- Will Borgen 1 (Oliver Bjorkstrand 3, Jaden Schwartz 6) 13:44.

Third Period

S- McCann (Eberle 5) empty net, 18:42.

Shots on Goal- Columbus 40 (Jake Christianson, Justin Danforth 6), Seattle (Jared McCann 6).

Hits- Columbus 25 (Zack Aston-Reese, Mathieu Olivier 6), Seattle (Tye Kartye 3).

Penalty Minutes- Columbus 6, Seattle 2.

Faceoffs- Columbus 54.5. Seattle 46.5.

Blocked Shots- Columbus (3 players with 2), Seattle (Brandon Tanev 3).

Three Stars- 1. Tye Kartye. 2. Brandon Tanev. 3. Will Borgen.

Referees- Wes McCauley, Gord Dwyer. Linesmen- Trent Knorr, Bevan Mills.


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