Kraken don’t show Flyers any brotherly love in 6-1 blowout 

Photo by Aaron Nelson / fi360 News

Seattle, WA – The Seattle Kraken sent the home crowd at Climate Pledge Arena home happy, as they easily glided to a blowout victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. The win gives Seattle a season sweep over the physical Flyers team that they had faced just days ago and puts Seattle back in the win column at home for first time in 18 days. The Kraken scored in several different ways, including power play goals, a shorthanded goal, and a score on an advanced penalty in addition to some five-on-five. The win pushes Seattle back to second in the Pacific Division, as the Kraken fight their way through a thick playoff race.  

While Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol declined when asked to highlight an individual performance, forward Yanni Gourde played an excellent game on both ends of the ice. Gourde is the definition of an all gas, no brakes player, consistently outworking teammates and opponents on the ice. While that doesn’t always necessarily translate to points on the stat sheet, Gourde was able to find success tonight as he tallied three points (two goals and an assist) in the win over the Flyers. Gourde was excellent in front of the night, recording a tip in goal and screened Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart for Justin Schultz’s goal, while assisting on Oliver Bjorkstrand’s breakaway goal. Kraken forward Matty Beniers discussed Gourde’s effort and drive.  

“He’s awesome, every night. No matter whether he’s scoring two goals or no goals. Everyone sees that he’s just as effective and plays every single night. He’s been playing great,” Beniers stated. 

A key aspect to tonight’s victory for the Kraken was their defensive effort throughout the first two periods. While they sagged a bit in the final 20 minutes, allowing two goals and multiple sloppy turnovers, the first two frames were a clinic in disrupting the Flyers attack. Seattle’s stout defensive presence and shot blocking resulted in only one shot on goal for the Flyers after the first period, a franchise record for fewest shots allowed in a period. The Kraken blueliners stayed focused and sacrificed their bodies to ensure that the Flyers didn’t get off to the start that happened in their early meeting on the 12th of the month. Seattle forward Jared McCann discussed his team’s effort on the defensive end. 

“Everybody was in lanes, we were blocking shots, we were making them miss the net when they had to. I feel like that speaks to our character in the room, guys stepping into lanes and blocking shots,” McCann said.  

The Kraken will have a quick turnaround practice before their Saturday, February 18th matchup against the Detroit Red Wings. The Kraken will be celebrating “Black hockey history” that day, donning specially designed warmup jerseys for the “Hockey is for everyone” night that will be auctioned off for charity. Puck drop is at 7:30PM PST for the battle between the Red Wings and Kraken, the first time that the two teams have faced each other this season. Despite a mediocre overall record, Detroit has won seven of their last ten as of tonight.