SEATTLE KRAKEN

Kuhlman scores tiebreaker, lifting Kraken to 3-2 win over Avalanche

Oct 21, 2022, 8:57 PM

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson, front right, collects the puck as Seattle Kraken defenseman Carson Soucy, left, and left wing Brandon Tanev pursue during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche right wing Logan O'Connor, back, and Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde pursue the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Seattle Kraken coach Dave Hakstol talks to players during the second period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz, front, reacts after giving up a goal to Seattle Kraken left wing Jared McCann during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer deflects a shot during the second period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Seattle Kraken right wing Jordan Eberle, right, congratulates center Jaden Schwartz after his goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP staff

DENVER (AP) — Karson Kuhlman scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period and the Seattle Kraken beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Friday night.

Kraken 3, Avalanche 2: Box Score

As Kuhl as you like 😏 pic.twitter.com/UTufl6PlBR

— ROOT SPORTS™ | NW (@ROOTSPORTS_NW) October 22, 2022

Jaden Schwartz and Jared McCann scored 22 seconds apart in the second period and added an assist each for Seattle. Philipp Grubauer had 17 saves before being replaced by Martin Jones midway through the third period. Jones got the win with just one save.

WHAT A GOAL 🤩 pic.twitter.com/hz8CLSZIEa

— ROOT SPORTS™ | NW (@ROOTSPORTS_NW) October 22, 2022

Bowen Byram had a goal and an assist and Evan Rodrigues also scored for Colorado, which has dropped two straight.

Kuhlman put the Kraken ahead when he maneuvered around Kurtis McDermid and beat Pavel Francouz with 7:54 left in the third.

The game was scoreless after the first period but the teams combined for three goals in the first six minutes of the second. Schwartz scored a power-play goal at 1:38 with a one-timer from the slot, and McCann’s second goal of the season made it 2-0 just 22 seconds later.

The Avalanche cut the lead in half when Rodrigues scored off a feed from Valeri Nichushkin at 5:55 for his first goal in a Colorado sweater. Nichushkin had two assists.

Byram scored a short-handed goal at 6:58 of the third to tie it.

RETURNING CHAMPION

Kraken left wing Andre Burakovsky was honored on the scoreboard in his first game back in Denver since signing with Seattle in the summer.

Burakovsky played three season with the Avalanche and was a key part of their run to the Stanley Cup title. He scored the overtime goal in Game 1 of the final against Tampa Bay and finished with three goals and five assists in 12 postseason games.

Colorado played a short video of his highlights with the team, and he raised his stick to the crowd as it cheered him on.

NOTES: Avalanche D Devon Toews was scratched with an undisclosed injury. Toews left Wednesday’s overtime loss to Winnipeg and didn’t return. Coach Jared Bednar said Toews will likely miss Saturday night at Vegas but said his injury was “short-term.” … D Michal Kempny cleared unconditional waivers from Seattle.

UP NEXT

Kraken: At the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.

Avalanche: At the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night.

Just how good can Matty Beniers become for the Seattle Kraken?

Seattle Kraken