Back-and-Forth Goals Set Up Dramatic Third Period

The first 40 minutes set up a hectic third period. Defenseman Cale Fleury opened the scoring with his second-ever NHL goal (the last one in November 2019) to make it 1-0 at first intermission. Seattle doubled the lead with a power play goal by Chandler Stephenson, who was set up by a laser-accurate cross-ice send from Jordan Eberle following a drop pass from Jared McCann. Eberle now has points in six straight games.

Vancouver cut the Kraken lead in half 13 minutes into the second period, converting on a power play. While Joey Daccord wiped down a Grade-A first attempt from Jake DeBrusk, he couldn’t fully smother a shot from high-scoring Kiefer Sherwood on the rebound, maybe eight to 10 feet out. Daccord looked surprised and disappointed when he saw the puck in the net. Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak, who was trying to block the rebound shot, looked upset with himself as well.

Five minutes later, the Kraken fourth line was at it again. This time, with rookie Jacob Melanson moving the puck up ice to linemate Ryan Winterton, who went deep right side corner in the Canucks zone before sending a pass netfront to a staunchly awaiting Ben Meyers. The 27-year-old center redirected the puck past VAN goalie Thatcher Demko for his third goal of the year.

It appeared the Kraken would get to the second intermission with the two-goal lead restored. But D-man Ryker Evans was whistled off for holding Vancouver star forward Elias Pettersson at 19:12. Ten seconds later, Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk scored his 10th goal of the year, nine of which have been on the power play. DeBrusk got inside position on Winterton and made good on an elite pass from long-time Vancouver forward Brock Boeser.

Fleury Seven Birthdays between NHL Goals

The last time Kraken defenseman Cale Fleury scored in the NHL, he was 20 years old and a regular with the Montreal Canadiens. Friday here in B.C., Fleury was in shot-mentality mode. He had already launched one shot from his right point. The second came on, he jumped a couple of skate thrusts into the Vancouver zone to one-time a puck angling his way. He wired the shot upper left corner just in the crossbar and post.

While Fleury took it in stride, veteran forward Jared McCann practically jumped into the 27-year-old defenseman’s arms. A long-term NHL reserve, Fleury has been called up from AHL Coachella Valley and re-assigned more than any player in the Kraken organization. His goal scoring was evident for the Firebirds. He scored seven goals each in the last season and added five big-time goals during the AHL affiliate’s second straight Western Conference championship in the spring of 2024.

When Brandon Montour was ruled out for four weeks due to a hand injury that required surgery, the Kraken defensive corps looked scary-thin. Then Vince Dunn missed the last game of the three-game road sweep of the California division rivals, but Fleury stepped in that night with his usual poised, sure-handed play. He is clearly earning the trust of the coaching staff as indicated by his time on ice over four games (three wins, one shootout loss) going into Friday’s game: 16:37, 18:58, 20:20 and 18:03. Seattle GM Jason Botterill was clearly wise to sign Fleury to a two-year contract extension in late June.

Before Friday’s game, Lane Lambert was quick to be complimentary when asked about Fleury’s stellar work in all zones.

“He’s played well,” said Lambert. “He’s strong. He’s strong in battles. I think he’s done a really good job, for the most part, with the puck and making plays. He had a bunch of time off. He kept himself in good condition and kept the rust off as best as he possibly could. He’s done well.”

In earlier media availabilities in December, Lambert also noted that Fleury has a good-sized body he’s not afraid to leverage, and that he takes his turns at blocking shots.

Fans watching Fleury will see a defenseman who is patient with the puck, not overly eager to send it from the D-zone. He is equally confident in breaking up a rush when a miss could lead to a 2-on-1 or solo breakaway. Look a bit more closely and will register a D-man with vision for where to send the puck next. In an informal discussion on Friday, KJR and Kraken Audio Network analyst Al Kinisky concurred with that observation.