Kraken Secure 4-3 Shootout Victory Over Canucks in Thrilling Match

In a nail-biting finish, the Seattle Kraken triumphed over the Vancouver Canucks with a score of 4-3 in a shootout on March 15, 2024. Matty Beniers scored the decisive goal in the shootout, propelling the Kraken to their sixth consecutive game without a loss, now standing at 6-0-1 over their last seven matches.

Throughout regulation, Cale Fleury, Chandler Stephenson, and Ben Meyers found the net for the Kraken. Goaltender Joey Daccord played a vital role, making 20 saves during the game, including critical stops in overtime. For the Canucks, Jake DeBrusk stood out with one goal and two assists, marking his first multipoint game of the season. Kiefer Sherwood and Linus Karlsson also contributed goals, but it was not enough to secure a victory.

The match began with Fleury opening the scoring for Seattle, netting a goal with just 2:26 left in the first period. This marked his first goal in nine games this season. The Kraken extended their lead when Stephenson executed a powerful one-timer on the power play at 8:53 of the second period, making it 2-0.

The Canucks responded with a power-play goal from Sherwood at 6:54 of the second, narrowing the gap. However, Meyers quickly restored the Kraken’s two-goal lead with a goal at 1:47 remaining in the same period. Just over a minute later, DeBrusk capitalized on another power play, bringing the Canucks within one goal at 3-2 by the end of the second period.

The third period saw a dramatic shift as Karlsson scored the equalizer for Vancouver at 6:15, tying the game 3-3 shortly after signing a two-year, $4.5 million contract extension with the team earlier that day.

When the game proceeded to a shootout, neither team scored during the first five skaters. Beniers then skated in on Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko, skillfully faking to the left before sliding the puck into the open side of the net for the win. Demko finished the night with 25 saves, but ultimately it was the Kraken who emerged victorious.

Looking ahead, the Kraken will face the Calgary Flames in their next matchup on March 17, 2024, while the Canucks prepare to host the Boston Bruins on March 16, 2024. The excitement surrounding both teams continues to build as the season progresses, with fans eager to see how they will perform in their upcoming games.