Schwartz leads Kraken to year-end victory

In a year that saw its share of downers for the Seattle Kraken, the home team finished 2024 on top with a 5-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club last night at Climate Pledge Arena.

Jaden Schwartz, who recorded his 499^th and 500^th points with two third period goals against Vancouver, was the number-one star as he recorded the game winner in the third after two first period assists.

After ending a six-game losing streak against the Canucks, the Kraken came out hitting and shooting, two aspects of their game that were frustratingly missing during the losing streak. In post-game interviews, Schwartz intimated that Seattle had a shoot-first mentality.

``You could see at times tonight, there were a lot of rebounds,’’ said Schwartz. `` It just creates offensive zone time a lot. Even if you don’t score, you still get them running around a little bit. We’ve been getting bodies around there and getting some second chances…that’s how you score.”

``Starting the game, you saw that mindset from a bunch of guys,’’ said Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma. ``They’re not great shots, they’re not Grade A opportunities, but it gets the puck to the net.’’

The Kraken had an early 7-1 shot advantage, but with Brandon Tanev in the penalty box with a `borderline’ boarding penalty, the artists known as the Phoenix Coyotes last season took a 1-0 lead. Logan Cooley scored on a shot from the left circle.

Schwartz actually scored on a power play, but after an official’s replay, the goal was disallowed. After Schwartz’s tip-in, craziness ensued when Utah’s Cooley threw an elbow at Vince Dunn. After a mini-fracas that saw offsetting penalties on both teams, Utah asked for a replay.

The goal was disallowed on an offsides but a whopping 42 seconds was put back on the clock. The good news for the Kraken was that they still had a man-advantage. While Seattle didn’t score on the power play, Yanni Gourde fired home a shot shortly after, through a screen of players to tie the game.

``Ryker Evans got the puck to the net and we get an advantageous carom and Yanni gets the goal,’’ said Bylsma.

The Kraken scored only 11 seconds later, when Andre Burakovsky tipped in a shot from Schwartz. But Utah’s Alexander Kerfoot tied the game on the only goal of the second period

Schwartz then put Seattle ahead for good, off a terrific two-line pass from Kaapo Kakko that sent Schwartz in on a breakaway, beating Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka, five-hole.

Ten seconds later, Vejmelka made a kick safe off Matty Beniers, but the puck went back to Beniers who fired from behind the net and the puck somehow found an open corner. Against Vancouver, Schwartz scored from behind the goal line.

 Beniers, who went 19 games without scoring a goal, now has markers in the last two Kraken contests. Jared McCann finished the Seattle scoring with an empty-netter in the final two minutes.

The Kraken, 17-19-1 on the season, host Vancouver on Thursday to open 2025. The Canucks no doubt, are still smarting from Saturday’s loss to the Kraken, where they blew a three-goal lead in the final five minutes.

 

Scoring Summary

First Period

U-Logan Cooley (Clayton Keller, Nick Schwartz) PPG, 8:43. S- Yanni Gourde 6 (Ryker Evans 14, Jaden Schwartz 12) 18:06. S- Andre Burakovsky 3, Schwartz 13, Adam Larsson 6) 18:17.

Second Period

U- Alexander Kerfoot (Michael Carcone, Ian Cole) 19:01.

Third Period

S- Schwartz 12 (Kappo 11) 7:22. S- Matty Beniers 6 (Kappo Kakko 12) 7:32. S-Jared McCann 11 (Oliver Bjorkstrand 15) empty net, 18:12.

Shots on Goal- Utah 30 (three players with 4), Seattle 33 (Kaapo Kakko 5).

Hits- Utah 10 (Jack McBain 4), Seattle 24 (Yanni Gourde 5).

Penalty Minutes- Utah 8, Seattle 6.

Faceoffs- Utah 49.2%. Seattle 50.8%.

Blocked Shots- Utah 12 (Olli Matta 3), Seattle 23 (Brandon Montour 5).

Referees- Chris Lee, Stephen Hitt. Linesmen- Brandon Gawryletz, Caleb Apperson.

Three Stars-