Hot start not sustained by Kraken, Avalanche find their form to even the series
By Charles Hamaker
Denver, CO – Game two of this first round matchup between our Seattle Kraken and the Colorado Avalanche began in perhaps the best way possible for Seattle, jumping out to a two-goal lead after the first 20 minutes. After the first intermission, the Kraken failed to bring the same intensity that they had through the first frame, and the Avalanche were able to score three unanswered goals to beat Seattle and even the series at a game apiece. Philipp Grubauer remained solid in net for the Kraken, but the waves of pressure that the Avalanche brought in the final 40 minutes of the game became too much for Seattle as a whole. The team seemed to run out of gas after their impressive start, but the kraken were still able to pull leave Colorado with an even split as they head back to Climate Pledge Arena.
Seattle comes out speeding to place pressure on Colorado
It was to be expected that the Avalanche were going to come into game two, following the “stunning” loss they suffered in game one, with their hair on fire and ready to attack. Instead, Seattle again brought the fight to their opponent and struck first as defenseman Justin Schultz scored just under three minutes into the game. Yanni Gourde helped the Kraken dig out of their own zone, finding Eeli Tolvanen. Tolvanen flipped an excellent pass to Schultz who had jumped into the play and was streaking down the ice towards goal. Obviously, every goal in the playoffs has its degree of importance to it, but this one felt big considering that the push from Colorado in this game was heavily expected.
That push from the Avalanche continued to get pushed back, as the Kraken doubled their lead thanks to a short-handed goal from forward Brandon Tanev. Turbo got in on the action as Seattle’s penalty kill success continued, with another goal coming into fruition due largely in part to the hustle and effort put in by Yanni Gourde on the forecheck. Gourde was able to get the puck out of the corner, after being sandwiched by two Avalanche skaters, to find Tanev coming up into the zone and firing away from the outside part of a faceoff circle. Tanev beat Colorado goaltender Alexandar Georgiev glove side, and the Kraken lead had grown to two.
Second period begins the start of the Avalanche
Coming out of the first intermission, it was paramount that Seattle continued their push throughout this game and kept their foot on the gas. It became apparent once the puck dropped for the middle frame that the Kraken did not look like they had through the first twenty minutes, and Colorado had flipped the switch. The Avalanche were able to change the course of this game in a span of just 48 seconds, scoring twice in that timeframe. Goal one of two came immediately off a faceoff in Seattle’s defensive zone, which the Kraken immediately lost, and Colorado’s Cale Makar was able to launch towards net from the blue line. Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen was unbothered on his tip of that shot, and Colorado was on the board and buzzing. Ball Arena and their team had awoken, and they were able to follow up their initial goal with a second one as Seattle got caught in a change and Valeri Nichushkin was able to streak down the ice for a breakaway goal.
Hold strong as the series flips to Seattle
By no means is it time to pull the alarm and freak out because the Kraken lost this game. Yes, it is frustrating that the team blew their two-goal lead. Yes, it is tough to see that Seattle failed to score in the final two periods. Yes, I can understand that this Stanley Cup Playoffs thing is stressful to go through considering that there is a ticking clock on when Kraken hockey can end. All of that is valid, but the series isn’t over. We’re all tied at a game each, and now it will head back to our home of Climate Pledge Arena! There are numerous reasons to look at this series with a positive mindset going forward, even if the rest of the country won’t.
First, Seattle came into the house of the defending Stanley Cup champions and one of the best teams in the Western Conference this year and punched them in the nose first. That shows that this team can and has won on the road in this series, which will likely need to happen if the Kraken are to win it. The depth of this team showed that they still exist and are still contributing in the playoffs, that’s huge if they’re going to hang around in the fight. Goaltender Philipp Grubauer continues to lock down the fort between the pipes, an area many around the country (they tend to not know anything anyway, since they don’t actually watch the team) pointed to as a weak spot for the team. For the most part (emphasis on most), the Seattle defenseman pairings have made the plays that they needed to lock down the stars of Colorado and help their goalie
The point I want to get across is that this thing is far from done. We still have at least three more games to play in this series, that’s three more intense, thrilling, fun games of Kraken hockey ahead! This team has shown that they belong here and that they can and have done damage in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Imagine thinking that, a year ago, that this team would be in this position now! So, it’s okay and valid to feel a little upset after the team couldn’t complete the game two win and leave the Rocky Mountains. But don’t call it quits because of the result of tonight. After hearing the post-game press conferences, I know that the team certainly hasn’t. Lock and load, we have more playoff hockey to bear witness to! So, whether or not you’ll be in Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday or Monday, cheer LOUD and PROUD! BRING THE NOISE! The boys will need it and let the Avalanche and their fans know that we aren’t here to be part of their story, it’s our story too.
Quick notes
Justin Schultz’s first-period goal was the first playoff goal scored by a defenseman in franchise history.
Eeli Tolvanen earned the primary assist, giving him points in consecutive playoff games for the first time in his career.
Brandon Tanev scores the first shorthanded goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Kraken franchise history.
All 12 forwards recorded at least one shot for the Kraken.
This happened in both of the first two games.
What’s next?
After tonight’s loss, the first round series between the Central division champion and the top Wild card team in the West (that’s us!) switches over to Seattle and Climate Pledge Arena. Game three of the series will be on Saturday, April 22nd with a puck drop time of 7PM PST. The Kraken head back to Seattle tomorrow but will be on the ice for morning skate on Saturday, which is closed to the public. We’ll have your coverage from the game (not morning skate sadly) after we head up to Queen Anne following the conclusion of the OL Reign vs Chicago Red Stars match at Lumen Field that begins at 12:30PM PST.