Calgary Flames vs. Seattle Kraken: Preseason Matchup
The Calgary Flames showcased a strong performance on Tuesday evening, defeating the Seattle Kraken 4-1 in their latest NHL preseason matchup. This victory marked a stark contrast to their previous outing against the Kraken just days earlier. The Flames dominated in shots, outpacing Seattle 34 to 20 over the course of the game.
Key Moments of the Game
The Flames struck first, with Yegor Sharangovich scoring at 7:40 in the first period after deftly redirecting a pass from Hunter Brzustewicz. This goal must have been a relief for Sharangovich, who faces ongoing scrutiny due to his five-year, $28.75 million contract following a disappointing season last year.
Calgary’s momentum continued as Zayne Parekh took charge during their first power play, applying pressure on the Kraken players and creating scoring opportunities. His impressive performance was highlighted by a near-goal from Jonathan Huberdeau just as the first period came to a close, showcasing Parekh’s potential to transform the Flames’ power play strategy for the season ahead.
Although the Flames didn’t capitalize on that early power play, they found the back of the net just after the second period began, with Rory Kerins scoring a power play goal set up by Connor Zary and Brzustewicz at 3:14. There’s anticipation around Kerins potentially making an early-season appearance on the main roster.
Second Period Dominance
In the second period, Calgary further asserted their dominance over Seattle, outshooting them 15-6, aided by multiple power plays that allowed them to focus their scoring attempts. The Flames’ energy translated to quality shots, with Matvei Gridin and Matt Coronato creating high-threat opportunities early in the second period. Notably, Gridin almost found the net during a breakaway after intercepting the puck from Ryker Evans at 12:11.
Sam Morton proved to be a key offensive player with several shots during this period and ultimately sealed the game with an empty-net goal later on. Although pacing slowed slightly in the third period, as the Flames managed only five shots in the first half, Matt Coronato secured an insurance goal just 39 seconds into the frame.
Defensive Prowess
Calgary’s defensive efforts were also commendable, as they achieved a perfect 3-for-3 penalty kill, further establishing their defensive prowess—a trend that has become common for the team. Goaltender Dustin Wolf, who played the majority of the match, delivered a commendable performance with a save percentage of .923, while Owen Say—who stepped in later—successfully held back any Seattle scoring attempts.
Player Recognition and Next Steps
Rory Kerins was recognized as the standout player of the game for his contributions. Looking ahead, the Flames are scheduled to face the Vancouver Canucks in their next preseason encounter.
