ANAHEIM – In an eventful game at the Honda Center, Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks scored a remarkable “Michigan” style goal, though it wasn’t enough to prevent a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Seattle Kraken on Saturday.
Zegras, returning after a 20-game absence due to injury, showcased his skill by executing a lacrosse-style shot, lifting the puck on his stick and flipping it into the net over Kraken goalie Joey Daccord’s shoulder. This marked the third time Zegras has scored in such a fashion, with previous instances against the Canadiens and Coyotes.
The Kraken, on a six-game point streak (4-0-2), saw contributions from Vince Dunn, who had a goal and two assists, and Tomas Tatar, who added a goal and an assist. Matty Beniers provided two assists, and Daccord made 32 saves. Dunn, reaching a milestone as the first Seattle player with 100 assists for the team, was instrumental in the win.
Frank Vatrano scored for the Ducks (12-21-0), who have struggled in recent games, and Lukas Dostal made 19 saves. Oliver Bjorkstrand’s power-play goal opened the scoring for the Kraken, followed by Dunn’s goal to make it 2-0. Vatrano’s power-play goal reduced the deficit, but Tatar’s third-period goal extended Seattle’s lead before Zegras’ eye-catching goal.
Despite the loss, the Ducks showed resilience, with coach Greg Cronin noting the team’s high shot volume and opportunities created. The Kraken’s Tatar, recently acquired from the Avalanche, expressed his enjoyment playing with his new teammates.
In other notable performances, Seattle’s Beniers continued his strong form against the Ducks, and Jared McCann returned from injury, contributing with an assist. Anaheim’s Adam Henrique was effective in faceoffs, winning 14 of 18.
The game marked a significant milestone for Seattle’s Yanni Gourde, who played his 500th NHL game. The Ducks, missing defenseman Radko Gudas due to injury, will reassess his condition post-holiday break.
The Kraken’s victory underlines their growing confidence and effective team play, while the Ducks, despite the loss, showcased individual brilliance and a competitive spirit.
