Flames fall 4-3 in shootout to Kraken as 3-1 lead slips away

Graphic: Provectus Media (PM)

SEATTLE — The Calgary Flames dropped a 4-3 shootout decision to the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night at Climate Pledge Arena, falling to 1-1-1 in the preseason.

Jonathan Castagna, Rory Kerins and Aydar Suniev scored for Calgary, which took a 3-1 lead and a 23-9 edge in shots into the third period. Neither team scored in overtime, and Berkly Catton scored the deciding goal in the shootout.

Castagna opened the scoring at 10:02 of the first period, with Brennan Othmann earning the primary assist. Bobby McMann tied it at 15:34.

Kerins put Calgary back ahead 1:38 into the second period with Alex Nylander assisting, and Suniev extended the lead to 3-1 at 6:05 on a 5-on-3 power play. It was Suniev's team-leading third goal of the preseason, and his fourth in three September exhibition outings counting the Sept. 14 NextGen Showcase against Edmonton.

Othmann finished with two assists.

Brandon Montour cut the lead to 3-2 at 1:26 of the third period, and Ryker Evans tied it 3-3 at 7:31. Devin Cooley made 23 saves on 26 shots through regulation and overtime.

The teams combined for 65 penalty minutes in the second period. Seattle's Ville Ottavainen and Curtis Douglas were both ejected.

Calgary iced a roster light on NHL experience against a veteran-heavy Seattle lineup. Many of Thursday's young players will soon report to the AHL's Calgary Wranglers, who open their home schedule Oct. 2 and 3 against the Abbotsford Canucks at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Flames wrap up the preseason Saturday in Edmonton against the Oilers at 7 p.m. MT at Rogers Place. The regular season, and the Saddledome's farewell campaign, opens Thursday, Oct. 1 at home against these same Kraken.

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