After years of anticipation, the Seattle Kraken got their first taste of NHL action.
The Kraken met their cross-border rival, the Vancouver Canucks, at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena with finishing touches being done at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
It was also a significant game for Vancouver who were playing for the first time on American soil in 575 days after spending the entire 2021 season in Canada.
Our lineup for our first game on American soil in 575 days! pic.twitter.com/F3LebrYru0
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) September 27, 2021
let’s go, boys pic.twitter.com/UEgsFzQLNK
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) September 27, 2021
Our first time playing in front of fans in a looooong time pic.twitter.com/xSHhrA4jio
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) September 27, 2021
almost game time pic.twitter.com/aLso1FKJeh
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) September 27, 2021
Seattle’s starting lineup featured many veteran players including former Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano and starting goaltender Philipp Grubauer. Every player skated out on the ice wearing No. 21 in honour of the team’s first year in the NHL.
Unfortunately, things didn’t get off to a great start for the Kraken who allowed the Canucks to grab an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Brock Boeser and Jack Rathbone.
It took some time but Seattle would eventually breakthrough in the second period as Riley Sheahan became the first player to score a goal in a Kraken jersey.
Jared McCann would tie the game for the Kraken and then Ryan Donato would give them the lead minutes later. Vancouver didn’t sit back as Nils Hoglander would get his first of the pre-season.
That hand-eye coordination Höglander’s game tying goal in the 2nd period. pic.twitter.com/Qv2dMAER6r
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) September 27, 2021
Less than a minute into the third period, the Kraken were gifted a 4-3 lead as the Canucks would win the faceoff but the puck deflected off defenceman Olli Juolevi and into the net. Morgan Geekie was given credit for the goal.
Geekie would seal the game for the Kraken with a power-play goal late in the period beating Spencer Martin with a shot from above the right face-off dot.
First-ever preseason dub.
Thanks for the amazing hospitality, Spokane! We love y’all pic.twitter.com/RrAvSbL5s9— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) September 27, 2021
Seattle will open their regular season schedule on the road against the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 12 before making their long-awaited debut at home on Oct. 23 against the Canucks.
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