Seattle 0, Arizona 0 After 20 Minutes
About tonight's unique venue on the campus of Arizona State, via ASU's Cronkite School of Journalism:
- "During 2021-22, the team’s final season in Gila River Arena in Glendale, the Coyotes didn’t sell out a single game while leaving on average 5,000 empty seats."
- "The Coyotes approached ASU about playing in Mullett. An agreement gave ASU priority, along with the Coyotes paying for additions that would make the facility NHL-approved."
- "The school allowed the NHL team to share the facility until the Coyotes built their new arena."
- "Then the team took temporary roots at (5,000-seat) Mullett Arena for the 2022-23 season, the Coyotes sold out every single game in a more intimate atmosphere."
Two great Kraken chances in the first seven minutes. Matty Beniers, re-living his missed opportunity from close range in the final minute against the Golden Knights, misses the mark again.
Jordan Eberle then hits the post from a severe angle. But the iron isn't playing favorites. Arizona's Nick Schmaltz dings the post as well.
Beniers takes a Coyote pass into the family jewels. He's shown on the ROOT Sports telecast doubled over behind the Seattle bench.
Daccord's best save of the period comes against Arizona's Michael Carcone, who's close enough to see the goalie's eye color (brown) when the save is made.
Tomas Tatar skates wide around a defender and all the way to Karel Vejmelka's crease. Tatar goes forehand-backhand-forehand, but can't beat the Coyotes' netminder. The pressure causes Alex Kerfoot to put a chokehold on Tatar.
Since "chokehold" isn't a recognized NHL penalty, the call is holding. The Kraken power play registers two shots, but can't break the ice. SOG in the period are 11-11, goals 0-0.