Montour’s Two Goals Propel Kraken to 6-2 Victory Over Sharks
Kraken Dominate Sharks with a 6-2 Victory
In an electrifying matchup at Climate Pledge Arena, the Seattle Kraken showcased their offensive prowess, defeating the San Jose Sharks 6-2 on Thursday night. The star of the show was Brandon Montour, who netted two goals, helping the Kraken bounce back after consecutive losses.
Montour’s Comeback
Montour expressed relief at finding the back of the net again after a 20-game drought. “Any time you can score some goals and see them going in, it’s nice,” he remarked. His previous goal came on December 14 during a tough loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. “It’s been a little cold… but you keep creating and try to find other ways to help the team,” he added.
Strong Supporting Cast
Chandler Stephenson also contributed significantly, scoring a goal and adding two assists. Oliver Bjorkstrand and Eeli Tolvanen each tallied a goal and an assist, demonstrating the team’s depth as they improved their record to 23-27-3. Goaltender Joey Daccord made 26 saves, providing the necessary security in net.
Coach’s Insights
Seattle’s coach, Dan Bylsma, praised his team’s aggressive play, particularly in the second period. “You force other teams into mistakes with your aggression,” he said, noting that the momentum built up from the first period carried over effectively.
Sharks Struggle Continues
For the Sharks, the night was challenging. Carl Grundstrom and Tyler Toffoli scored, but the team has now lost seven of their last eight games, dropping their record to 15-33-3. Coach Ryan Warsofsky criticized his players for a lack of readiness, saying, “We were slow all night… We weren’t ready. We’ve got to skate, we’ve got to be engaged.” The Sharks’ goaltending situation was also a concern, as Yaroslav Askarov was pulled after allowing four goals on just 11 shots.
Game Highlights
- First Period: Stephenson opened the scoring with a breakaway goal, giving the Kraken a 1-0 lead.
- Late First Period: Grundstrom equalized for the Sharks with a fortunate deflection.
- Second Period Surge: Bjorkstrand, Montour, and Schwartz scored to extend Seattle’s lead to 4-1.
- Power Play Success: Montour’s second goal of the night came during a 5-on-3 advantage, highlighting Seattle’s efficient power play.
- Final Goals: Tolvanen capped the scoring for the Kraken, marking his fourth consecutive game with a goal.
As for the Sharks, the need for improvement is clear as they look to regroup after this loss. Meanwhile, the Kraken will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming games.
