Kraken handle business against Ducks, but not before tempers flare
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – In their third matchup of the season and first since way back in November, the Seattle Kraken began a pivotal four game homestand with a sound 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Several of Seattle’s stars who are setting career highs in goal and point scoring contributed to this victory, like Jamie Oleksiak who began the night with a goal a little under four minutes into the opening frame. Despite winning this battle in a fashion where the game was never in doubt, the Kraken had some issues with the Ducks on a few hits throughout the course of the third period including one that saw star defenseman Vince Dunn exit the game due to a decision from off-ice officials. Seattle secured two key points as they march towards the end of their second season, but they didn’t do so without a few extra bruises.
The Kraken tortured Ducks goaltender John Gibson all night, tallying four goals against him and an empty netter to seal the deal (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
Canner creating Kraken history
Kraken forward Jared McCann continues to etch his name into Seattle’s history books and hearts, as the first player in franchise history to sign an extension and record 30 goals in a season for the team notched a goal and assist in this win over Anaheim. Those two points on the night pushed his season total to 100, another “first ever” accomplishment for the Stratford, Canada native that continues to produce at a torrid pace for a team that seems playoff bound. With the calm, steady McCann having tallied a point in eleven of his last 13 appearances, the Kraken have gotten consistent offensive production and an elite shot out of a forward that was looked over just like many of his current Seattle teammates.
“Not so much, I’ve been very lucky to play with two great linemates in Ebs and Matty, obviously Matty is a special player. Ebs has been dishing it to me a lot since I’ve been here, so I’ve just been trying to capitalize on those.”
“Pace, I see pace in his game, that’s the biggest thing. The confidence when he’s got room to shoot, that’s obviously there, but I see pace up and down the rink, 200 feet.”
McCann’s wicked shot was on display tonight, as he scored Seattle’s second goal of the game on a hammered puck top shelf. On a rush, Seattle was shared the puck around as Adam Larsson found McCann open in the left faceoff circle. McCann received the puck before quickly firing away his signature shot as if he were hunting an actual duck, lodging the puck top corner over Anaheim goaltender John Gibson’s shoulder. One of the top finishers in the NHL, Canner continues to find pockets to place shots where most skaters simply could not. His points on the night also included the primary assist on Eeli Tolvanen’s power play goal in the third period. McCann whizzed a pass from one faceoff circle to the other, where a waiting Tolvanen dropped the hammer and slammed the puck past Gibson who was nowhere near ready for the sizzling biscuit.
“Very surprised that we got him, to be honest with you. I’ve watched him play with Nashville, even when I was with different teams. He’s a deadly shooter, he can create something out of nothing. We’re very, very lucky to have him.”
Kraken forward Jared McCann became the first player in franchise history to tally 100 points with the team (Photo by Bryan Saldana)
No harm, no waterfowl? Wrong
Heading into a third period where Seattle held a two-goal lead against an inferior opponent, it felt like the Kraken were going to be able to add a few more goals and secure the two points without too much resistance. Anaheim had other plans for those final two minutes, showing the “physical” side of their game with a few high hits to Kraken players Jordan Eberle, Adam Larsson, and Vince Dunn. The most notable perhaps was the last player listed in Vince Dunn, as he had to leave the game due to the hit laid on him. For context Jordan Eberle and Adam Larsson had both taken hits to the upper body and above area without a call, with Larsson notably holding the back of his head after getting off the ice and slamming the bench door after his shift had ended.
Things start to get heated between the team as Anaheim pokes Philipp Grubauer after the whistle (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
With under eight minutes to play in the final frame and the game all but decided, Dunn was hit high by Ducks forward Max Comtois after the puck was out of Dunn’s reach. Dunn was left bloodied and called for a hit to the head but was ignored. Once on the bench, Dunn proceeded to yell at the officials about his anger at the no call and slammed his stick on the ice, which resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Not even a minute into serving that penalty, the on-ice officials were instructed by off-ice officials to send Dunn off the ice for concussion protocol, ending his night.
“He was pissed off, and I get why. It was a little bit late; he held his cool getting off of the ice and he snapped on the bench. His teammates had his back, got the job done, and that’s it, we’ll move on. He’s been a heck of a competitor for us all year long, he’s head great presence of mind, that’s one situation where his teammates had his back and got him through it... I don’t have an update, I don’t have any reason for any concern right now.”
Seattle defenseman Vince Dunn’s game in photos (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
Quick notes
With tonight's win, the Kraken notch their fourth winning streak of at least five games this season.
Seattle has points in four consecutive games against the Ducks dating back to Feb 11, 2022. Seattle is now 3-0-1 against Anaheim during that span
The Kraken have scored at least four goals in five of the six games they have played against the Ducks.
With his goal and assist tonight, Jared McCann tallied his 100th point with the Kraken, becoming the first player to do so in franchise history. He also became the first player to record two 50-point seasons with the Kraken.
Jared McCann now has 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in his last 13 games. He has scored five goals in his last five games.
Tonight's goal also marks goals in three consecutive games against Anaheim.
With his two points tonight, Matty Beniers has recorded a multi-point effort in each of his three career games against the Ducks. He now has nine points in his last nine games played (two goals, seven assists).
Jamie Oleksiak’s first-period goal was his 18th point of the season, setting a career high for the defenseman.
Adam Larsson earned an assist on McCann’s goal for his 26th point of the season, marking a career high.
With his assist on Eeli Tolvanen's goal, Vince Dunn extends his point streak to seven-games, totaling nine points (two goals, seven assists) during that span. His point streak is now the third-longest active point streak in the league and is the longest by a defenseman.
Dunn has recorded a point in every game the Kraken have played against the Ducks. He now has six points (two goals, five assists) in his last six games against Anaheim and it is the first time in his career he has had points in six consecutive games against a single opponent.
Jaden Schwartz has seven points (three goals, four assists) in his last seven games played and extends his point streak to four games with tonight's empty-net goal.
With his assist on Oleksiak's goal, Jordan Eberle has 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in his last 10 games played.
He now has eight points (two goals, six assists) in his last seven games against the Ducks.
Brandon Tanev's assist on Daniel Sprong’s goal was his 16th assist and 29th point of the season, both of which are career highs.
Eeli Tolvanen now has six points in his last five games played.
Tonight's win marks the fourth consecutive game in which Philipp Grubauer finished with above a .900 save percentage (.913).
Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer debuted a new mask in the win (Photo by Bryan Saldana)
What’s next?
Seattle will have a day of practice in between games, as their next game comes on Thursday, March 9th with a puck drop of 7PM PST against the Ottawa Senators. The Kraken will host an Ottawa team that sits at fifth in their division and may be looking to get some revenge on Seattle for their January contest when the Senators lost 8-4. Ottawa, having acquired highly coveted defenseman Jacob Chychrun via trade, is in a similar situation to Seattle where every point is critical through these final weeks of the regular season. The Kraken will be handing out 10,000 Brandon Tanev bobbleheads that night as well at Climate Pledge Arena.