By Silvia Leija-Rosas, edited by Charles Hamaker

Calgary, Alberta, CA – The Seattle Kraken fell by a score of 3-4 to the undefeated (Outside of a neutral site overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks last week) Calgary Flames in overtime of the final road preseason game of their 2024-25 season on Monday night. The loss wasn’t terrible (Again: preseason), but it did have the vibes of your average Kraken game: a slow start, a lot of missed opportunities and a final push late to only end in a loss. 

Kraken forward Eeli Tolvanen opened the scoring at the top of the first period off an absolutely beautiful pass from Chandler Stephenson, as the big free agent signing sent a backhanded pass through the crease to Tolvanen on the back door to beat Flames goaltender Dan Vladar. Brayden Pachal evened out the score for the Flames five minutes later and took the lead on their only man advantage with a goal from Blake Coleman to give Calgary a lead with two unanswered goals after what appeared to be a strong start from Seattle. Kraken 2021 draft pick Ville Ottavainen then sent everyone back to the locker rooms with a tied game after he scored his first in Kraken colors with 15 seconds to end the period with a clapper from deep and traffic in front as forward John Hayden provided a screen in front of Vladar.

The Flames scored the only goal in the second period, coming shorthanded as the the Kraken were on their fourth power play of the game. Seattle came back for a final push and finally capitalized on the sixth (Six!) man advantage with a goal from exciting prospect Shane Wright that forced the game into overtime before veteran forward Nazem Kadri sealed the deal for the Flames, with a tap in goal as the Kraken left him all alone on the back door. 

None of it counts, of course, except for in our hearts. Here are my three takeaways.

The powerplay.

One for six on the power play and a short-handed goal against isn’t good, even if it is the preseason and the Kraken are trying to figure their power play. Distressing, even, but it wasn’t all bad. The last few seasons we’ve seen a power play from the Kraken that almost felt stuck. The players’ movement was hardly there and very rarely took useful opportunities to score, and that’s how things have looked on the advantage in the years past. That wasn’t the case last night: the Kraken had plenty of movement on the ice during the man advantage, but players often passed through non-existent lanes in the middle. This created several turnovers and led to that short-handed goal. 

The bench obviously saw it too since the Kraken came back in the third with a revitalized offensive and Shane Wright found the back of the net after a rebound off an Andre Burakovsky shot, for his first goal of the preseason. It was nice to see mid-game adjustments, especially since the power play looked alive the last few preseason games. It’s an improvement to be excited for this upcoming season, especially considering that new additions Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson should be able to help on the special teams units.

We Are So Back Baby: The Shane Wright Story

If there were ever any doubts that Shane Wright is ready for a full time NHL opportunity, it’s time to throw those out. He looked steady all game, but had an especially dangerous third period where his speed and hockey IQ really shined. Wright displayed the net-front game he is known for at the Saddledome, and led all Kraken players with four shots on goal in this contest. Wright’s power play goal in the third period that forced the game into overtime was just the cherry on top. Hope that Shane enjoys the Seattle weather, because we are so back and he will be a full time NHLer this season for the Kraken. 

Stephenson continues to shine

Press play on the replay of the Tolvanen goal and then play it again. When it happened, Chandler Stephenson’s backhand pass to Tolvanen felt risky, but that’s the kind of player Stephenson seems to be–and the kind of player the Kraken needed. The confidence he has in his teammates to be exactly where he expects them to is palpable. It’s just another thing to be excited for as the season approaches, considering that his ability to distribute the puck should be a big help for a Seattle time that couldn’t figure out how to get the puck into the right areas this past season. It’s year four and Kraken fans are getting a bigger, stronger team ready to make it in the standings whatever it takes. While Stephenson’s contract is big and an overpay, getting his abilities as a smooth skater and a strong passing attribute will help Seattle as they look for far more offensive productions than we saw in their last season.

What’s next?

Following tonight’s overtime preseason loss to the Calgary Flames, the Seattle Kraken will hold another training camp practice session tomorrow before their final exhibition contest of the 2024-25 season. Wednesday, October 3rd, 2024 will see the Edmonton Oilers head to Climate Pledge Arena for a 7PM PDT puck drop against our Seattle Kraken, in Seattle’s final preseason tune up of this season that will be broadcast live on the Kraken Hockey Network and KONG. With roster cuts likely coming tomorrow morning, the Kraken roster will be nearly what we’ll see on opening night against the St. Louis Blues inside of Climate Pledge Arena in that preseason game against the Oilers. Seattle will have to make a few more cuts after a large group is likely released to AHL Coachella Valley, and we will probably see the Kraken have to shed more salary as they’re currently running tight against the cap and will only really be compliant for the first few weeks of the regular season.

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