3/14/2025
(Seattle, WA)
Philipp Grubauer shined for the Seattle Kraken in the third period making 23 saves, with Kappo Kakko’s wrap around goal the difference maker in a 4-2 win over the Utah Hockey Club.
The Kraken were coming off a thrilling come from behind 5-4 overtime win over Montreal last Wednesday. Brandon Montour scored four seconds into overtime, the fastest OT goal in NHL History. Utah defeated Anaheim 3-2 on Wednesday night to keep their playoff hopes in tact. Seattle on the other hand, came into the night 11 points out of Calgary for the last playoff spot in the west. Utah started Karel Vejmelka with an 18-16-6 record and a 2.47 GAA. Friday night marked the first start for Philipp Grubauer at home since being sent down to AHL affiliate Coachella Valley. Grubauer started on the road making 23 saves in Philadelphia last Saturday in a 4-1 win.
It only took 51 seconds for the Kraken to make noise. Eeli Tolvanen scored his team lead 20th goal off a giveaway from Olli Maatta, the helper went to Chandler Stephenson.
After Utah killed a penalty served by Kevin Stenlund, Utah tied the game with a shot from slot from Nick Schmaltz. Stenlund out of the box recorded the helper with 16:48 played in the opening frame. The Kraken led in shots on goal at the first intermission 9-6.
The second period saw the Hockey Club control the pace of play, generating more opportunities than the Kraken. Their persistence was rewarded when Kevin Stenlund redirected a John Marino centering pass at 7:35. The Hockey Club led 2-1. Utah outshot Seattle 11-6 in the period. But late in the period at 18:54, Brandon Montour redirected a Jordan Eberle pass off his skate. The disc careened off Hockey Club defender John Marino and into the net. For Montour, the goal gives the d-man nine points in the last seven games. The game was knotted even at two apiece. while Utah took a 17-15 lead in the shot count at the break, something had to give in the final 20.
The third period tilted on its axis at the 10:28 mark. Utah defenseman Mikhail Sergachev in an effort to channel a Seattle dump in around the end boards sent the puck towards netminder Karel Vejmelka. Kappo Kakko stole the lose puck and stashed a wrap-around goal to put the Kraken in front.
Seattle would then turn to an original standby to shut the door. Philipp Grubauer made a series of grade A saves on Utah chances, slamming the door on any Utah comeback effort. Eeli Tolvanen at 18:51, buried an empty net goal to secure a 4-2 Seattle win. Eeli Tolvanen’s empty netter was his 2nd goal of the game, building momentum heading into the home finale.
The Kraken did not play their cleanest game, notably in the second period. Yet, opportunistic scoring, and a reset Philipp Grubauer, only builds confidence for a Kraken side hoping to finish the season well.
Grubauer made 23 saves in a Kraken win for the second straight game, just like he did last Saturday in Philadelphia.
Philipp Grubauer after the win said, “sometimes the puck just hits you”. The German netminder went on to commend the effort of the skaters in front of him, notably in a chaotic third period.
Head Coach Dan Bylsma lauded the frame of mind his team had in their recent games. Seattle is 3-1 after the trade deadline.
With the Flames losing to Colorado 4-2, the Kraken are nine points behind Vancouver and Calgary with 15 games left in the season.
Up Next: The Kraken conclude their three game home stand by hosting the team with the best record in the league, the Winnipeg Jets. Winnipeg defeated the Central Division contending Dallas Stars 4-1, on Friday night. Staking their candidacy for being one of the best teams in the National Hockey League. Seattle in their last two meetings with the Jets, lost both games with goals scored in the final minutes. The first meeting in overtime, and the second with a goal scored in the final seconds of regulation. Puck drop on Sunday is scheduled a little after 6pm.
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