Montour's Hat Trick Powers Kraken Past Canadiens in Thrilling Victory
Seattle, WA - The Seattle Kraken continued their strong start to the season, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 on Wednesday night at Climate Pledge Arena. The game was highlighted by a dominant performance from defenseman Vince Dunn, who recorded a hat trick, becoming the first Kraken player to achieve this feat.
A Dominant First Period
The Kraken came out of the gate flying, displaying a level of intensity that the Canadiens struggled to match. Dunn opened the scoring at the 1:40 mark, finishing off a beautiful passing play from Jordan Eberle and Matty Beniers. Just over five minutes later, Dunn struck again, this time deflecting a shot from Jamie Oleksiak past Samuel Montembeault. The Kraken continued to press, and at the 12:08 mark, Dunn completed his hat trick, becoming the first Kraken defenseman to accomplish this since the team's inaugural season.
Canadiens Rally Briefly
The Canadiens, however, did not go down without a fight. Early in the second period, Cole Caufield scored on a power play to cut the Kraken lead to two goals. However, the Kraken quickly regained their momentum, and Yanni Gourde added a fourth goal before the end of the second period, giving Seattle a 4-1 lead.
Kraken Seal the Victory
The third period saw both teams play a more cautious style, with the Kraken controlling the pace. With just over five minutes remaining, Jordan Eberle scored a fifth goal for Seattle, effectively putting the game out of reach. While the Canadiens were able to score one more goal through Christian Dvorak, the Kraken held on for a comfortable 5-2 victory.
Dunn's Historic Night
The night belonged to Vince Dunn, who was absolutely dominant. He led the Kraken in shots on goal, ice time, and, of course, goals. His performance was a testament to his offensive skills and his growing confidence as a key player for the Kraken.
Key Takeaways
- The Kraken displayed a clear advantage in terms of speed and puck movement throughout the game.
- Vince Dunn's hat trick was a testament to his growing offensive abilities and his importance to the Kraken's success.
- This victory underscores the Kraken's potential as a legitimate contender in the Western Conference.
The Kraken will look to build on this momentum as they continue their homestand with a game against the New York Islanders on Saturday. With a strong start to the season and a growing sense of confidence, the Kraken are poised to make a significant impact in the NHL this year.