The Kraken opened up their Inaugural season in Spokane at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in front of a sold out crowd of 10,366 rowdy fans ready for the home team to show what they’ve got. Two former Tri-City Americans are on the Kraken, Chris Driedger and Morgan Geekie. Both saw action on Sunday night and Geekie electrified the crowd with 3 goals in the 3rd period.
The Kraken came out to warm up before the game wearing all 21 jerseys to signify the beginning of the inaugural season in 2021. The jerseys were then auctioned off. Many of us, haven’t been alive for an inaugural season of a professional sports team, so it was a new and special experience for all in attendance.
Midway through the first the Canucks got a breakaway goal from Jack Rathbone. Vancouver struck again on a power play goal from Brock Boeser and the Canucks took a 2-0 advantage into the first intermission. The sticks came alive in the 2nd period for the Kraken as Riley Shehan found the back of the net on a pass from Nathan Bastian. Jared McCann and Ryan Donato added power play goals and the Kraken and Canucks were tied after 2.
Morgan Geekie added two goals in the 3rd to ice the game and the Kraken came out victorious in their pre-season opener 5-3. Although the result of the game was meaningless, the fans came out of the building buzzing about the new team. “There’s always things to work on, but it’s a good start,” Jared McCann said following the game.” Former American Chris Driedger Got some time at net in the 3rd period, and didn’t give up a goal. The Kraken play the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday in Edmonton before returning back to Kent for a home game on Saturday against the Flames. Time will tell how good this team is, but they got off to a good start Sunday night.
