Seattle Welcomed NHL Hockey To Climate Pledge Arena Oct. 23, 2021
Editor's Note: Happy Labor Day! So that I can enjoy it, too, here's a recap from the first home game in Seattle Kraken history - October 23, 2021 against the Vancouver Canucks.
9:49 am - Cammi Granato is the height of optimism - literally. The Hockey Hall of Famer and current Seattle scout, wearing a Kraken "S" sweater, gives a double thumbs-up while sitting outside on the tippy-top of the Space Needle.
4:16 pm - Fans without a ticket (none selling on the secondary market for less than $350 each) start gathering at the Armory building adjacent to the Arena to watch the game on a giant TV.
5:01 pm - Doors open to release the Kraken fans for the first time into the $1 bln., environmentally innovative Climate Pledge Arena. They all appear to be wearing the same thing.
Unsurprising, because the Kraken shattered merchandise sales records for an NHL expansion team. Also adorned in Kraken gear around town, two iconic statues: on Mariners' great Ken Griffey, and the pig mascot at Pike Place Market.
6:21 pm - Commissioner Gary Bettman playfully explains his confidence in Seattle's fervor for hockey. "I've been hearing about Seattle non-stop for the last 10 years, because my son-in-law's from here, married to my youngest daughter. He happens to be in the building tonight. The good news is he's not watching this (press conference.)"
6:50 pm - Kraken fan Matt asks, "How long have we been waiting for this moment?"
6:57 pm - Commissioner Bettman says hello to the crowd (momentary boos, de rigueur for the commish). Says "Let's go Kraken!" (Loud cheers.)
7:01 pm - CEO Tod Leiweke tells the sellout of 17,151, "Today we retire the number 32." (Louder cheers.)
Perhaps in recognition of the NHL's 32nd franchise, or maybe the 32,000 season ticket depositors.
7:15 pm - Ann Wilson of Seattle's beloved rock band Heart belts out the U.S. National Anthem.
7:17 pm - Puck drop. Seconds later, unprompted, the first "Let's go Kraken" chant. Later, goalie Philipp Grubauer would say, "The atmosphere was incredible. We're super proud to play here."
7:33 pm - A point of emphasis for the NHL: cross-checking. Seattle kills the Jared McCann penalty, even after Jeremy Lauzon at one point loses his stick.
7:43 pm - Grubauer makes three rapid-fire saves, the last loudly thudding off his pads, as "Gruuu!" chants erupt.
7:54 pm - Defenseman Vince Dunn walks in from the left point and finds paydirt with 3.2 seconds left, the first hometown goal in Kraken history. The original 1962, 44-million-pound roof, lifted this summer so the Arena could be dug beneath it and then lowered, threatens to be blown away by the sonic blast of sound.
8:33 pm - A point of emphasis for the Kraken: puck possession. So far, mission accomplished. Ten minutes in, second period shots on goal are Seattle four, Vancouver zero.
8:38 pm - 11:09 in, the Canucks finally register a second period shot. The Bo Horvat snipe is both on goal and in the goal. We're tied, 1-1.
8:47 pm - A Mason Appleton breakaway is partially stopped by Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko. The puck squirts behind him as Appleton makes a second-effort Superman leap into the crease, but Demko gloves it off the goal line. "Groan Mode" is activated in the stands.
8:53 pm - It's 1-1 after two. Truth be told, this is the winning formula for Seattle; tenacious defense and opportunistic offense.
9:11 pm - Appropriately for cappuccino-loving Seattle, Seahawks stars Bobby Wagner and D.K. Metcalf whip the crowd into a froth as the third period begins.
9:19 pm - The froth gets frothier at 5:10, as captain Mark Giordano breaks the tie. The Washington State Ferry-inspired goal horn proclaims a 2-1 Kraken lead. Later, Gio would say, "It was electric in there all night. This is going to be a tough building to play in."
9:34 pm - Horvat's second goal ties it for Vancouver on the power play with 7:08 left. With 4:02 to go, Conor Garland gives the Canucks their first lead, 3-2. Just prior, the Kraken had cycled, had the puck on a string, but couldn't finish.
9:46 pm - Now it is finished. Justin Dowling's empty-netter sends fans to the exits, as Seattle falls, 4-2.
10:13 pm - Seattle defenseman Giordano accentuates the positive. "We generated a lot more tonight. That was a step in the right direction."
10:24 pm - Coach Dave Hakstol concurs, "It was our best 60 (minute game) of the year. I had us for 3-4 grade A scoring chances after it was 2-1."
