On Thursday night, the Calgary Flames took their preseason game on the road, narrowly losing 4-3 in a shootout to the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Devin Cooley was the starting goalie for Calgary, making his second appearance of the preseason.
The game started strongly for the Flames, who scored first at 10:02 of the opening period thanks to a persistent forecheck by Dryden Hunt that forced a turnover behind the Kraken’s net. Brennan Othmann retrieved the loose puck and set up Jonathan Costagna, who scored his first preseason goal to put Calgary ahead. Seattle responded late in the first period when Jordan Eberle played from the slot, slipping the puck to Bobby McMann for a quick shot that beat Cooley, tying the game at 1-1. Calgary outshot Seattle 14-6 in the first 20 minutes.
In the second period, the Flames regained the lead when Rory Kerins found space and received a pass from Alex Nylander, then fired a shot into the top corner for his first goal of the preseason. The Flames’ physical play continued, and they capitalized on a 5-on-3 power play when Aydar Suniev scored his third goal in two preseason games with a wrist shot over Grubauer’s glove, further extending Calgary’s lead. The physicality remained intense, with Othmann delivering a significant hit in the corner and then facing off against Ville Ottavainen. Seattle appeared to reduce Calgary’s lead late in the period when Brandon Montour scored, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Heading into the third period, Calgary led 3-1 with a commanding shot advantage of 23-9.
Early in the third, Montour did score for Seattle, breaking through from the blue line and beating Cooley with a wrist shot just 1:26 into the period. Seattle then tied the game at 7:31 when Ryker Evans took a shot from the left side into the top corner of the net. Neither team scored during the remaining regulation time or in overtime, leading to a shootout. Berkly Catton scored the winning goal for the Kraken, sealing their 4-3 victory.
The Flames showcased strong resilience and competitive spirit, especially considering they fielded a lineup mostly from their Wranglers affiliate against an NHL-caliber Kraken squad. The team played a fast, physical game, outshot their opponents, and responded well to the rough-and-tumble moments on the ice.
Aydar Suniev continued his impressive preseason form, netting his third goal in just two games, making him one of the preseason’s top scorers. Rory Kerins also made a notable impact with his second-period goal, providing a crucial performance that could help him stay on the Flames’ radar as camp progresses.
Fan Take: This game showcased the Flames’ gritty determination and depth, which is promising for fans eager to see players fight for roster spots. It also highlights the excitement and unpredictability of preseason hockey, hinting at a competitive season ahead that could energize the entire hockey community.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
