The concourses of the Spokane Arena were jammed. The merchandise lines snaked through the crowds, causing bottlenecks as fans filed in for their first glimpse of the Seattle Kraken.

There seems to be little doubt about the popularity and reach of the NHLB次元官网网址檚 newest franchise, even when playing 300 miles away from home.

Seattle made its debut on Sunday night with a 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the preseason opener for both teams. With SeattleB次元官网网址檚 home arena putting the finishing touches on its construction, the Kraken have taken their first preseason on the road to three junior hockey venues in the state.

Spokane was first up, and the 10,208 fans were treated to the Kraken rallying from a 2-0 deficit thanks to three goals in the second period and Morgan GeekieB次元官网网址檚 two goals in the third period.

Riley Sheahan scored the first preseason goal in Kraken history at 2:32 of the second period off an assist from Nathan Bastian. Jared McCann and Ryan Donato added power-play goals in the second period for Seattle.

Jack Rathbone, Brock Boeser and Nils Hoglander scored for Vancouver.

B次元官网网址淚t was unbelievable to be honest. I mean, IB次元官网网址檓 from the East Coast so IB次元官网网址檝e never been out here. It just goes to show how exciting hockey is, how much itB次元官网网址檚 growing,B次元官网网址� Donato said. B次元官网网址淐oming in here and seeing all the Kraken jerseys and how everythingB次元官网网址檚 growing so fast, itB次元官网网址檚 truly awesome to be a part of.B次元官网网址�

Coach Green gives his take on the first pre-season game, as Vancouver falls 5-3 in Spokane.

B次元官网网址� Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks)

There was necessity related to SeattleB次元官网网址檚 decision to trek across the state for its first game. The home arena for the Kraken B次元官网网址� Climate Pledge Arena B次元官网网址� is still a couple of weeks from completion and SeattleB次元官网网址檚 first home game is Oct. 23 against the Canucks.

But there was also a specific outreach behind the decision to play in Spokane rather than keeping all their preseason games in the Puget Sound region. The Kraken envision themselves a brand for the entire Pacific Northwest and their regional broadcasts will have games being shown throughout Washington, but also into slivers of Northern Idaho and Western Montana.

Playing in Spokane was a way to acknowledge that segment of the fan base, and a way to help establish a connection with the area.

B次元官网网址淭onight is validation that our market isnB次元官网网址檛 just the Seattle DMA. The amount of people wearing Kraken merchandise, the sincere enthusiasm, there couldnB次元官网网址檛 be a better place to start,B次元官网网址� Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke said shortly before puck drop. B次元官网网址淭his is just magnificent. ItB次元官网网址檚 heartwarming. ItB次元官网网址檚 stirring and I feel emotional just walking that concourse.B次元官网网址�

While the Kraken will play their final two home preseason games in the Puget Sound area, there could be opportunities in the future for Seattle to take its product on the road in the preseason. Alaska has been a market the Kraken have specifically focused on B次元官网网址� including promoting donations to help reinstate the menB次元官网网址檚 hockey program at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Kraken games will be broadcast throughout Alaska and landing that territory as part of their broadcasting rights was a big win for the franchise.

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B次元官网网址淲e hope that through these three games that our partners and us raise, targeting the half a million dollars, thatB次元官网网址檚 how you build relationships. Going up to Alaska and supporting the effort to save the Seahawks hockey program thatB次元官网网址檚 how you build support,B次元官网网址� Leiweke said. B次元官网网址淓asiest way to do it is winning but thereB次元官网网址檚 other things that are also fundamental to the mission.B次元官网网址�

For the first night, the focus was on Spokane and giving a jolt to a normally sleepy Sunday night in the Lilac City. At Lord StanleyB次元官网网址檚, a recently opened hockey bar downtown, fans packed every table of the restaurant several hours before the game. While there were NFL games on the TVs and a handful of fans in Seahawks jerseys, Kraken logos and gear dominated B次元官网网址� with the exception of two fans in Red Wings jerseys. And even in the midst of a Sunday afternoon filled with NFL games, TVs were also tuned to the Boston-Washington NHL preseason game.

Tim Booth, The Associated Press

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