In a thrilling encounter on Saturday night in Calgary, Alberta, the Seattle Kraken clinched a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames, thanks to a clutch performance by Matty Beniers. The young star scored the decisive goal on a power play at 2:58 of overtime, capping off a dramatic comeback from a two-goal deficit and igniting celebrations among the traveling Kraken fans.
The game began with the Flames looking strong at home. Forward Nazem Kadri opened the scoring, and Morgan Frost doubled the lead, giving Calgary a seemingly comfortable position. However, the Kraken were not ready to back down without a fight. Joey Daccord, Seattle's netminder, was instrumental in keeping the Flames' offense at bay, making 27 crucial saves in what marked his 12th start in the past 13 games.
Shane Wright breathed new life into the Kraken's chances with a crucial goal, narrowing the Flames' lead with just under seven minutes remaining on the clock. The momentum seemed to have shifted as Andre Burakovsky, who had been creating opportunities all night, found the back of the net just over two minutes later. This tied the score and led the game into overtime, setting the stage for Beniers' heroics.
On the Flames' side, Coach Ryan Huska attempted to revitalize the team's offense by shuffling all four lines, including a notable combination of Morgan Frost alongside Joel Farabee and Yegor Sharangovich. Despite the strategic shake-up, the Flames could not capitalize on their initial lead and eventually succumbed to their fifth consecutive home loss.
The game-winning moment came when Frost's holding penalty provided the Kraken with a power play in overtime. Seizing the opportunity, Beniers delivered the definitive goal, reinforcing his reputation as a clutch performer.
Looking ahead, the Seattle Kraken will take on the Florida Panthers on February 22, seeking to build on this invigorating victory. Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames aim to regroup before hosting the San Jose Sharks a day later. Both teams have a brief intermission brought on by the 4 Nations Face-Off break, offering crucial time to refine strategies and address recent performances.
This tightly contested match displayed the unpredictable nature of NHL rivalries, promising more exhilarating encounters as the season progresses.
