Kraken fall in Gourde's return

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On a night when some members of the Seattle Kraken were likely playing their last home game at Climate Pledge Arena, a third period comeback fell short as the visiting Minnesota Wild held on for a 4-3 decision.

With a Friday noon Pacific time deadline for National Hockey League trades, the Kraken have three players – forwards Yanni Gourde and Brandon Tanev and defenseman Josh Mahura – who are unrestricted free agents, meaning if they don’t re-sign (or get traded) before the end of the season, they’ll be free to sign with any team and Seattle would receive no compensation.

It would be an upset if Seattle didn’t make any trades this week as the Kraken are perceived to be sellers, parting with veteran players to free up salary cap space. The Kraken brass is also happy with their young players currently competing for Coachella Valley in the AHL or in junior hockey.

With last night’s loss, the Kraken drop to 26-32-4 on the season. Once again, the locals got off to a slow start, falling behind 4-1 midway through the contest and then dominating late in the second period and the final stanza.

Seattle was outshot 5-1 in the early stages of the game and then held the Wild (36-22-4 overall, third in the Central Division) to only one shot in the final period.

Filip Gustafson made 33 saves in the Wild net, including one off Gourde, in tight, late in the third period. From a Kraken standpoint, the story of last night’s contest was the return of Gourde, who was competing in his first game since Jan. 2 due to a sports hernia injury.

“It was a lot of fun to be out there and play with the guys tonight,” Gourde said. “To enjoy playing hockey again. Being at the rink and the whole stuff of being an NHL player.”

Ironically, last night could be Gourde’s final game in a Kraken uniform. A team leader and a fan favorite, there’s speculation that Gourde’s old club, the Tampa Bay Lightning (Gourde won two Stanley Cups with the Lightning) may want him back.

The record will show that Gourde – probably in his last game as a Kraken- picked up an assist along with captain Jordan Eberle- on Seattle’s final goal of the game, scored by Brandon Montour.

``You focus on what you can control,’’ said Gourde about the buzz surrounding him. ``See what happens in the next few days.’’

“Just to have his energy and his passion was noticeable for us,” added Kraken coach Dan Bylsma.

Vinnie Henostroza opened the scoring for the Wild but defenseman Adam Larsson tied the game for the Kraken with a drive from the point.  The visitors would take the lead for good on Jared Spurgeon’s power play goal at 18:20 of the first period.

The Kraken fell behind 4-1 in the second but made things close on goals from Shane Wright and Montour. Wright now has 14 points in his last 12 games.

“He’s (Wright) got a great catch-and-shoot,” said Bylsma on Wright’s goal. “He’s got a great release when the puck is on his stick, coming down the hill or on a flank. And he’s just finding more and more opportunities to shoot that puck. When you see him shoot like that, that’s a sign of confidence growing in his game.”

The Wild’s Marcus Johansson was selected as the number-three star in the game. An original Kraken, Johansson was traded at the deadline in the team’s first season.

The Kraken have one more game before the trade deadline as they travel to Nashville to face the Predators, tomorrow night.

Game Summary

First Period

M- Vinnie Henostroza (Mats Zuccarello, Matt Boldy) 12:27.

S- Adam Larsson 6 (Kaapo Kakko 24, Jaden Schwartz 18) 16:40.

M- Jared Spurgeon (Ryan Hartman, Declan Chisholm) 18:23.

Second Period

M- Freddie Gaudreau (Marcus Johansson, Spurgeon) 1 :41.

M- Zuccarello (Johansson, Gaudreau) 8 :22.

S- Shane Wright 14 (Oliver Bjorkstrand 21, Kakko 25) 14:10.

S- Brandon Montour 12 (Jordan Eberle 11, Yanni Gourde 7) 19 :48.

Third Period

No scoring.

Shots on Goal- Minnesota 20 (Ryan Hartman 4), Seattle 36 (Jared McCann 4).

Hits- Minnesota 15 (3 with 3), Seattle (Eeli Tolvanen 4).

Penalty Minutes- Minnesota 4, Seattle 2.

Faceoffs- Minnesota 38.1%. Seattle 61.9%

Blocked Shots- Minnesota 21 (3 with 3), Seattle 9 (Vince Dunn, Jamie Oleksiak 3).

Referee- Corey Syvret, Chris Schlenker. Linesmen- Trent Knorr, Killian McNamara.

Three Stars- 1. Mats Zuccarrello, M. 2. Kaapo Kakko, S. 3. Marcus Johansson, M. 

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