Grubauer Shines; Bjorkstrand Pots Two as Kraken Rout Bruins

12/12/2024

Oliver Bjorkstrand scored two goals and Philipp Grubauer put on a show making 33 saves. In a full 60 minute effort, the Kraken defeated the Boston Bruins 5-1.

The Kraken were coming off a shootout loss to the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers 2-1 on Tuesday night. The same evening the Bruins played in a game they would much rather forget, an 8-1 drubbing courtesy of the Winnipeg Jets. Jonas Korpisalo earned the start for Boston who came into the night with a record of (6-2-1) with a .909 save percentage. Seattle started Philipp Grubauer who came into the night with a 2-8 record with a .870 save percentage.

The Kraken were playing with heavy hearts, their founding owner David Bonderman passed away on Wednesday at the age of 82. Bonderman was a center figure in bringing the NHL to Seattle. The night was filled with tributes to Bonderman and the legacy he left behind.

There was still a game to play, and it did not take long before fireworks began. Boston’s David Pasternak committed a double minor for high sticking Jamie Oleksiak sixteen seconds in. The Kraken made the Bruins pay. Oliver Bjorkstrand lurked in front of Jonas Korpisalo and tipped in a Matty Beniers feed to give the Kraken a 1-0 lead 24 seconds in.

The Bruins hold the dubious distinction of being the most penalized team in the NHL. Tyler Johnson took a tripping penalty that put Seattle on another the man advantage at 3:10 of the opening period. The Kraken responded to the call again. When the power play reached its end, seconds later Jaden Schwartz shoveled a backhander past Jonas Korpisalo at 5:14 of the opening period, the Kraken led 2-0 early.

During the first media timeout, the Kraken celebrated the life of founding owner David Bonderman with an emotional standing ovation.

The Kraken went into the dressing room with a 2-0 lead. The Bruins held the edge in shots on goal 14-8.

The Bruins generated momentum in the 2nd frame, and were rewarded with a penalty shot at 10:28 of the period. Brad Marchand took the shot for Boston. The Bruins captain lifted a backhander past Philip Grubauer and the Bruins cut the deficit in half.

The Bruins outshot the Kraken 12-7 in the second frame.

Period number three, saw Seattle add insurance when Vince Dunn batted a lose rebound out of midair past Jonas Korpisalo to put the Kraken up 3-1, 3:17 into the third. Dunn’s goal his fourth of the year.

The Kraken were far from done. Oliver Bjorkstrand offered a sequel of his first period goal at 9:16 of the third period, his second goal of the night put Seattle up 4-1.

Jared McCann tallied an empty net goal at 18:05 to sow up the win.

The Kraken honored the life of their owner David Bonderman with a 5-1 victory over the Boston Bruins to move within two points of the final playoff spot in the west.

Philipp Grubauer was named the game’s first star with 33 saves in the victory. Jonas Korpisalo recorded the loss making 16 saves for the Bruins.

Head Coach Dan Byslma said about Grubauer, “really solid, really good, his best outing of the year”. Grubauer has won his last two starts for the Kraken.

Up Next:

The Kraken look to continue their winning ways by welcoming the Tampa Bay Lightning to Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday night with puck drop scheduled a little after 7pm.

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