Seattle Kraken have something to build on despite loss in home opener

Hours before the puck was dropped on Saturday night, blue Seattle Kraken jerseys were pouring out the doors and packed in bars on every corner of the arena.

Video: Tour Climate Pledge Arena during Seattle Kraken’s first home game

Small bags converging into one unit, a huge blue swarm entering the Climate Pledge Arena, anticipation and curiosity soar to the climax for the beginning of something new, something bigger that only sport can offer to bring a city together.

It was also a reminder that much is new to the octopus on the ice. We’re finally seeing the ideal line combinations from trainer Dave Hakstol as Calle Jarnkrok was activated by the COVID-19 protocol list and took up position in the top row, making it the second year in a row that a Kraken player has been on that top row after that Yanni Gourde made his debut against the Devils for the first time on Tuesday.

It seemed that a few days of practice increased the octopus’ cohesion and familiarity on the ice. Jaden Schwartz’s puck punch at Gourde looked like two guys out of the rhythm just seconds after the game, and the Kraken had great opportunities all night. They just couldn’t plug all of them in. After the game, Hakstol even mentioned the “three or four Grade A chances” they had after taking the lead in the third period.

The result was not a quick fix or an assurance that this team will be successful immediately. He affirmed that this will be a process and that there will be setbacks along the way. The result, a 4-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, felt like the overtime loss at Columbus a week earlier: hold the lead in the third only to lose and end in defeat.

However, after Saturday’s game, the Kraken players emphasized that there is growth and momentum to build on the way forward.

“I thought we got off to the right start,” said Vince Dunn, who scored the first goal in the first period in Seattle’s new arena. “It’s frustrating for us, we’re trying not to lose and we just have to keep pushing and playing aggressively throughout the game.”

“That was our best third third,” said Hakstol. “We still had a few chances, but we couldn’t extend them.”

While it goes down as a loss, this game’s lasting impact will be remembered as an overwhelming victory for the franchise and the city. The fans were busy all night and the promise that the Climate Pledge Arena would be one of the loudest in the league was honored, especially after captain Mark Giordano kicked off at the start of the third period.

“It’s up everywhere,” said Giordano. “There weren’t too many moments when there was silence. Actually there weren’t any, to be honest. “

The underground ice rink and the building’s unique architecture help the sound fall on the ice, but it takes a dedicated fan base to bring in the energy and noise that the fans have done with all their might. A game doesn’t provide enough sample size, but if the audience reproduces that effort night after night, even on a random day of the week, months in the season against a team like the Arizona Coyotes, the building will take a few wins.

The Kraken may have put a little pressure on Saturday feeling the weight of having to deliver a win on a night of evolving.

“We really wanted that,” said Giordano. “I think you can feel the hum in the air. The crowd, everyone was excited, to be honest. “

The good news is that there will never be a first home opener and the weight of expectations can now turn into adrenaline, fueled by 17,000+ fans who can turn a goalkeeper upside down or a team wear down an opponent with an A. tireless pre-checking throughout the game.

Before we turn to the second home game in the history of Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, a lasting memory of the home debut remains: Dozens of fans in front of the arena pressed against a huge floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the street on the north side of the building, the whole thing stood Night to peek inside and take a look at the night the NHL began in Seattle.

More Seattle Kraken coverage from 710Sports.com

• Seattle Kraken is now aiming to make CPA a “tough building to play in”
• Morosi: Why Kraken didn’t start as strong as the previous NHL expansion team
• Well now, Yanni Gourde is set to give Seattle Kraken a lightning bolt

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