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Instant Reaction: Flames let points slip away against Kraken
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Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Ryan Pike
Jan 6, 2026, 00:04 ESTUpdated: Jan 6, 2026, 00:27 EST
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Welcome to Instant Reaction, where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Calgary Flames game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below! 
The Calgary Flames played two strong periods against the Seattle Kraken on Monday night. They needed to play three, though.
The Kraken survived a strong 40 minutes from the Flames, then took over the game in the third period en route to a 5-1 win over the Flames.

The rundown

The opening period was pretty even and generally back and forth, but the Flames opened the scoring 6:33 into the period. Yan Kuznetsov made a nice physical play, squeezing Jacob Melanson out along the wall and leading to a rush the other way for the fourth line. Ryan Lomberg’s initial chance was stopped by Philipp Grubauer, but the rebound went right to Adam Klapka and he swatted it into the Seattle net to make it 1-0 Flames.
Jonathan Huberdeau was fouled by Adam Larsson on a breakaway chance, so he got a penalty shot! His shot was stopped by Grubauer.
First period shots were 13-8 Flames. Via Natural Stat Trick, 5v5 scoring chances were 8-8 and high-danger scoring chances were 6-5 Flames.
The Kraken tied the game early in the second period. MacKenzie Weegar couldn’t get enough of an attempted outlet pass, so it was intercepted by Seattle’s Ryan Winterton. Winterton’s shot on Dustin Wolf was stopped, but he got his own rebound and passed it to Jacob Melanson, sneaking into the net-front area, and Melanson’s one-timer beat Wolf to tie the game at 1-1.
The Flames deluged the Seattle net with shots and scoring chances for the remainder of the period, hoping to regain the lead. They weren’t successful.
Second period shots were 18-11 Flames. 5v5 scoring chances were 18-9 Flames and high-danger scoring chances were 10-6 Flames.
Early in the third period, the Kraken got a couple quick goals to grab the lead.
At 1:57 into the third period, the Flames were caught up ice on a scoring chance and Seattle turned the puck over and went the other way. Ben Meyers made a nice play, throwing the puck towards the net-front area. Shane Wright beat out Ryan Lomberg to the slot and redirected the puck past Wolf to give Seattle a 2-1 advantage.
At 5:12 into the third period, Seattle got some insurance. The Kraken entered the Flames zone with speed and numbers and made a few nice passes. In particular, Kaapo Kakko put the puck right on the tape of a pinching Vince Dunn, and Dunn’s shot beat Wolf to give Seattle a 3-1 lead.
Freddie Gaudreau added an empty-netter with 2:35 remaining in regulation to give Seattle a 4-1 lead. Matty Beniers scored after they put Wolf back in to make it 5-1 Kraken.
Third period shots were 11-9 Flames. 5v5 scoring chances were 9-6 Kraken and high-danger scoring chances were 6-1 Kraken.

Why the Flames lost

The Flames were pretty good in the first period and really good in the second period. They had the puck. They skated well. They had chances. They didn’t give up very much. They just could not score. (And yeah, a lot of their shot volume was from distance.) And then Seattle came out of the gates in the third period flying and capitalized on every mistake the Flames made and took over the game.

Red Warrior

Kevin Bahl played a ton and was pretty noticeable for positive reasons in this game. We’ll give it to him.

Turning point

The Kraken scored twice in the first five minutes of the third period. That was the game right there.

This and that

Owen Say dressed as backup, as Devin Cooley was unavailable due to illness. Justin Kirkland and Brayden Pachal slotted into the lineup in place of John Beecher (suspended/injured) and Hunter Brzustewicz (healthy).

After Burner

Join Mike Gould and Cami Kepke right after the game for After Burner!

Up next

The Flames (18-20-4) are headed on the road! They begin a five game eastern swing on Wednesday night against the Montreal Canadiens.

This article is brought to you by Platinum Mitsubishi

This article is a Presentation of Platinum Mitsubishi, family owned and operated by lifelong Calgarians. Home of the best warranty in the business with ten year warranties available. Check out the showroom at 2720 Barlow Trail NE or online at www.mitsu.ca

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