April 10, 2025 • 20 mins
Mike Benton with Everett Fitzhugh ahead of the Apr. 10 matchup at T-Mobile Arena between the Seattle Kraken and Vegas Golden Knights.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Jared McCann near side goal line of the corner.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Brekovski scors Adam Larson from the corner. Andre Barrakovski got
the puck in the low slot while falling able to
bang it in bike you have and the crackhead on top.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Two nothing here at San Jose.
Speaker 4 (00:19):
Great offensive zone pressure by Seattle there and Jere mccannon
starting with that pucketting it down to Larson blow the
goal line. Larsen finds Breakowski in the slot there with
a great one time as you said, taking a knee
to get that shot off. It's two nothing, crackling.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Welcome to Kracking this morning, a presentation of the Kracking
Audio Network and Sports Radio ninety three point three KJR FM.
Here's Mike Benton.
Speaker 5 (00:44):
How soon can the cracking get back to more of
what you just heard? Welcome to Cracking this morning. On
a Thursday, April tenth, the final road game of the
season coming up between the Kraken and the Vegas Golden Knights.
It's going down this evening seven o'clock at T Mobile Arena.
I hope you can join again line from thirty two
Bar and Grill for studio coverage one last time in
(01:05):
a live and in person format at Kraken Community ice
Plex airtime six point thirty all across the Emerald Queen Casino.
Kraken Audio Network Ever refits you Alconiski live from T
Mobile Arena. I'll again join you right back at kCi.
Well the Kraken trying to break a four game losing
skit on the road to Vegas and also wash away
(01:26):
Tuesday night in a seven to one loss to Utah
Hockey Club where the Kraken fell to three and one
on the trip. Nonetheless, when would give them four wins
out of five in the final road trip of the
season before they wrap up matters on home ice, coming
up for a two game homestand opening Saturday against the
Saint Louis Blues, and next Tuesday for Fan Appreciation Night
(01:48):
against the Los Angeles Kings. It's all a part a
Fan Appreciation Week presented by Amazon. Ever it fits you
joining us in a bit as the crack Can looking
to get healthier from the last two games. Riker EV's
missing Monday's game due to illness. Philip Grubauer also out
of action Tuesday due to illness as well, prompting the
(02:09):
emergency recall of goaltender Victor Osman. He has been since
returned to Coachella Valley of the American Hockey League. This
series is tied at one game apiece. Vegas won the
previous matchup six to two over the Cracking back on
December twenty one, and the Kraken took the only meeting
in Seattle for the regular season four to three over
Vegas back on November eighth. All Right, final game on
(02:32):
the trip, coming up, final game on the road for
the regular season, coming up, Cracking at the Golden Knights,
seven o'clock this evening on air six thirty. Everett fits,
you has got his money's worth in Vegas, because that's
the high roller he is. Right now. I heard the
ten thousand dollars slots were involved, cannot confirm on that.
(02:53):
He joins us now on Cracking this morning, Fits, how
are you brother?
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Ten thousand dollars slots? They're in my dream own that
I remember one time. That was when I was in
the ECHNL back in the day, I went to one
of those video poker machines. I putout five bucks in
I won two hundred and fifty bucks and I hit
that cash out button, so bad. I thought I broke
(03:20):
the darn thing because I was like, you're not. I'm
not a gambler at all. I don't do any kind
of gambling. I don't do any kind of betting. That's
not that, I just never got into it. So I
thought it was a lie. I thought it was going
to trip me and be like I was playing, So
I cashed out as fast as I could.
Speaker 5 (03:35):
Now, I remember in my EHL days when Las Vegas
had the Wranglers, an EHL team, and they played at
Orleans Arena, and for those of them been out there,
it's it's it's off the strip a little bit, but
it's a decent setup, an amazing arena, great minor league building.
They've also held the West Coast Conference Tournament there as
(03:57):
well too, and I've called a midnight game. They used
to have night games or two in the when when
the Rangers played. But I remember, I mean, this is
just how bad I am at the tables where I'm
out with our head coach and I'm also out with
another former NHL player names redacted here to protect the innocent.
(04:18):
But I think it was I think it wasn't in
a game of slots, no I'm sorry. We were actually
playing Roulette and I cashed out of fifty bucks after
about roughly two hours, and I said, I'm good to go.
I'm walking away now.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Yeah, I'll see I'll.
Speaker 5 (04:37):
See you later. Absolutely, that is the extent of of
my of my winnings in Vegas. And I try, I
try to play where where the bars meant for me?
But anyway fits to have you here. First, I want
to acknowledge a hat top from last night to Sam
rose And who's retiring after this season from the game,
(04:58):
after his fortieth and HL season with the Rangers. Unbelievable
last night. Great to hear him like old times with
him and John Davidson to the TNT booth. I mean fed,
Sam's in a class by himself. He's a legend, a gentleman,
a professional. And whenever you and I get to bump
into Sam these days here as a colleague, it's a
good day.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
No, it is right, And I think Sam Rosen, I mean,
there's so many just iconic voices in this game, right,
so many people that we all look up to, that
we all remember talking with and being around, and you
know we all grew up listening to it. To certain guys.
And I think because Sam Rosen was always a Rangers guy,
(05:42):
I've never heard him that much on hockey growing up,
but a lot of folks don't remember he did football
NFL for a long time. So, you know, such a
very nice guy, and you know, it's funny there are
times when you have these like you know, don't meet
your hero moment. He's a hero that you we want
to meet and he is an unbelievable person. He is
(06:04):
so kind, He is so generous with his time or
with his comments, and can tell that he just loves
the games so much. And Sam is you know, again,
we haven't him and I haven't had a whole lot
of personal interaction. We only play the Rangers twice a year,
but every time we did play them, he was nothing
but gracious and kind.
Speaker 5 (06:25):
We also had a run in as well, a great
bumping with Nick Nixon back at the Cryptcom Arena booth.
He's also going to be hanging it up after forty
four years from the King's side, and we'll get a
chance here to see Nick on this last road trip.
Though he's not going to call the game, but he
will be on the trip as the Kings come in
for the season finale on the Crack inside at Climate
Pledge Arena here for this next Tuesday. So secondly, Jaden Schwartz,
(06:49):
he's the Crack and nominee for the Masterton Trophy. And
for those new here to this game, it's the award
for most perseverance sportsmanship dedication and it was named in
honor of the late Bill Masterton, who passed away tragically
back in nineteen sixty eight. In other words, what kind
of an example are you showing others about your professionalism,
(07:10):
your character and even adversity that you've had to overcome
and fince. Jaden Schwartz finally has a full season of
health again and he's been knocking on the door for
a career high end goals for a team he's signed
up for now ending his fourth season. Just flat out
he has been a joyed to cover and get to know.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
No he has And I think you're right everything about
you talked about in that description of the award. I mean,
he's finally healthy for a full season. He's been in
and out of the lineup consistently for the last couple
of years. But when he is in the lineup, you
see the impact that he's made. You see the impact
(07:49):
that he has on his teammates, You see the kind
of person that he is on a daily one to
one basis, right. I mean, Jayden Schwartz is one of
those guys who always what's up, Fit Saboy doing, Mikey
b how are we doing? Right? Like he's always talking
to us in the media. He's always lending an ear
to it, to the players. And you see him working
(08:10):
every day all the nights with Shane Wright, Ty Cartier's
Joannie Newman when he was here, even if there's not
always line. He wants to get the best and the
most out of guys. And you know, I think for
for for Shorty, this is a part of his career
where he wants to be a part of what is
(08:32):
being built in Seattle. He won a Stanley Cup. It
can be easy for him to want to chase cups
and want to say, hey, you know what, Ron trade me,
get me out of here, But he's not done that.
He wants to be here. He wants to see this
whole thing through. And I think, you know, we talk
about leaders and how there's so many leaders on this
(08:53):
on this team, and I think he is just as
important as the Jordan Eglies of the world, who wears
the captaincy because of his experience, but because of his
dedication to the game, his commitment to getting better. He
is one of the first guys on the ice. He
is one of the last guys to leave, you know,
And I think very few players that we've seen have
(09:15):
that same type of that same type of dedication and
ability and commitment, and he's one of those guys.
Speaker 5 (09:25):
Seventy eight games for him right now is the most
since twenty sixteen seventeen with the Blues. His twenty four
goals are the most since twenty seventeen eighteen, the year
before he won the Stanley Cup with them, and he's
four away from his career highs set ten years ago.
All doing this till here at age thirty two. So
(09:47):
on the matters of present day here for this road
trip fens, where do we separate the road trip? First
three games where the crackn look great, and then the
dividing line with what this team is telling us after
a seven to one lost Utah where it just got
out the tracks in a hurry back on Tuesday.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Yeah, yeah, it's sure, you know, man. I The second
game of back to back. That's what doesn't for these teas.
For this team, I mean, you now are oh for twelve.
You have twelve back to back situations this season, oh
for twelve in game twos of back to backs outscored
(10:26):
forty nine to seventeen, forty nine to seventeen, and of
those twelve games, seven of those twelve games you've allowed
four more goals. Next season, the schedule is not going
to get any easier because you're still going to have
to fit eighty two games into a tight window because
(10:49):
of the Olympic break. So they're going to have to
figure that out for next year. But listen, I mean
the road trip for me By and Marge is still successful.
I mean it was a five game road trip. At
the absolute worst, you're going to finish three and two
on the road trip. Until the other night you were
outscoring Vancouver Stan Jose And on that road trip you
(11:14):
were outscoring them in LA twelve to one, twelve to
two in those games. So you're finding off the lateness season,
you're continuing to show that you know there are some
bright bosts. There is planning for the future that you
know you can look to as positive but I think
this is a blip. How they respond tonight, How they
(11:36):
respond tonight against the Golden Knights, who are very much
like La in the thick of a seedings race in
the Western Conference. They want to keep their top spot.
They don't want LA or I think Edmonton's a little
bit tougher, but they don't want those two teams to
track them down. They want to maintain who of my
subdvantage through as long as they can. So how they
(11:59):
respond to night, I think for me will determine the
success of the road trip. This team goes four to
one on this road trip with a flip in Utah,
or if they go three one in one, uh you
know and have a hard fought overtime game or something
like that tonight, then then this is going to be
a successful trip for me.
Speaker 5 (12:19):
I talked this over with the Last Night and Crack
and Weekly Fitz to you, what do you look at
first to solve this issue next year of back to backs?
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Yeah? I mean, you know, Alan and I Allen, I
talked about this for the podcast after the Utah game
and we were trying to figure it out. Is it
is it fitness? Is it is it game plan? Is
it personnel. You don't know what it is, but I mean,
and even John Forsland on the TV side has said
multiple times, you know, I don't know. I don't think
(12:49):
I've ever seen this where a team has gone over
in so many back to backs the crack And now
we're just a second team in NHL history, joining the
ninety two ninety three San Jose Sharks to go winless
in a season in game twos of back to backs,
to not even get a regulation point in game twos
of back to backs, and they only have four that year.
(13:13):
So I mean, moving forward, I don't know. If you
know Dan Bilsma, you look at the game plan, everything
he says, he says, the right thing is the team
does the right things. It's about digging in, it's about
trying to find that extra momentum. But for whatever reason,
this season it's been the game two back to back
buck But that can't seem to get over.
Speaker 5 (13:34):
How much do you go back and look at that
win in Las something to bank on for the future.
It was the being that it was a defensive fistfight.
Everything offensively came in the first few minutes and the
Kraken had which this blew my mind to look at
in the postgame part of this thirty block shots.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
You know that I think I left I left that
LA game saying to myself, this system where dance plan,
where the personnel by and large works. I remember listening
to John Bortln on one of our competitors stations not
too long ago, and he was saying that, you know,
(14:14):
I'd like to think that it's taking a little bit
longer than necessary, but they're getting used to one another.
The guys are getting used to the game plan. We've
seen injuries all year long, so you've had guys playing
with different partners and with different linemates that you know,
I'd like to think that it's just taking a little
bit longer to get used to each other. And I
(14:35):
do think that that LA game showed me this team
can play a defensive two to one game. This team
could find the way to shut down and get big
wins in one of the top buildings in the league
and one of the hardest places to play against one
of the hardest teams in the league. So that LA
win showed a lot to me that that's a building block,
that is that is a win that I think We're
(14:57):
going to look back on it the sever times, you
you know, after the Ulstar or after the Four Nations break,
after the deadline. The Krackton have won more than they've lost,
They've scored more than they've allowed joy the Coot has
been playing very well. We've seen late season surges from
Andrea Barakovski and Chandler Stevenson, and you know, Gonnie Newman
(15:17):
had a great a couple of games, ten game tryout
with the Cracking. I think all of those storylines are
going to be great, But for me, it's going to
be that game in La. That said, against a team
that had only lost four times in regulation at home
off season one, against the team that was one of
the best in the Western Conference fighting for seeding. The
Kraken went in there with nothing on the line for
(15:38):
them and was able to shut them down.
Speaker 5 (15:41):
You would also think that the similar thing with the
game plan is going to apply here for the Savening.
Vegas has got a big team, a heavy team, a
hard building to play against as a team, and it's
a game that means only a strong finish for the
krack inside. But in the grand scheme of things, you've
had players sick on this road trip. Shane Right and
Matty Vaneers are right now knocking on the door to
(16:03):
hit twenty goals. Yeah, two players finish and minus three
age and Ryker Evans and Brandon Montour at Utah. So
against Vegas, who do you look at and where do
you look at to help this team get back into
the rebound mode and finish the trip off the four one?
Speaker 1 (16:19):
Well, these are the type of games good flash. Great
teams find ways to win these games, regardless of injury,
regardless of sickness, regardless of hired energy level, whatever it
is good too. Great teams find ways to win these games.
(16:41):
And I think if you're Sattle, it sounds so cliche.
Your best players have to be your best players tonight.
Jaden Schwartz, Matty Vaneers, Shane Wright, Vince Dunn, Adam Larsen,
Joey Decourt, all of those players that you count on,
and even the guys I didn't mention, right, all the
(17:02):
guys that you count on every night to perform for you.
They have to be your best players because again, it's
your final role game of this season. You got three
games left this year. You're trying to build a foundation
going into the offseason for the summer. This is going
to set up your your your free agency plan. This
is going to set up set up your plans moving
(17:22):
forward to what you think this team could look like,
could do uh coming up in the fall. So you know,
winning as many of these final games as you can
is are important. But beating a team like Vegas in
their building, the top team in the division going to
the playoffs, A lot of folks still think that they're,
you know, one of the teams to beat, you know
what I mean, if anyone's going to dethrone Washington in
(17:45):
Winnipeg at your top two teams, A lot of folks
still point to Vegas as potentially being able to do
that if you can come into their building and if
you can beat them, and if you can even if
it's a two to one game, I think it's more
impressive if the Crack and win Tomorrow's at night team
too one as opposed to you know, five to four
shootout or you know, an offensive a slug fest. But
(18:06):
if it can be a tight, defensive, checking game, or
the Crack can come out on top, I think that's
gonna go a long way for this group.
Speaker 5 (18:15):
Crack it aiming for their first win in five trips
into Vegas and get their first win since November twenty
fifth of twenty twenty two at T Mobile Arena and
aiming for a four and one road trip. Fits. Thank you,
enjoy your winnings, go treat yourself and hey, as a kids,
say Instagram or it didn't happen?
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Right?
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Hey?
Speaker 1 (18:37):
What happens in Vegas? Days in Vegas? Michael? I will
not be posting anything on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, the cloud,
smoke signals or other ones.
Speaker 5 (18:49):
That's awesome, that's awesome. Thanks, Fits, Yet we've heard it before.
Whatever happens in Vegas, Days in Vegas? Right ever? Fits you?
Joining us radio play by play across the emiral Queen
Casino Cracking audio network. Vegas is seven to two and
one in their previous ten games. They recently wrapped up
home ie advantage at the opening round in the shootout
loss to the Colorado Avalanche. They're led by Jack Eigels
(19:13):
ninety three points on the season, though he is day
to day and missed the shootout loss against Colorado, but
a surprise boost here from Pavel d'Oro Fayev has him
atop the goal scoring column on the Vegas side. He's
got a career high thirty three goals this season in
seventy eight games. Right now, Vegas occupying the top in
the Pacific Division with the forty seven to twenty two
(19:34):
to nine record point total at one hundred and three,
six ahead of second place Los Angeles, and Vegas has
four games to go on their regular season. The Kings,
by the way, have one game in hand. We have
everything covered for you. At beginning this evening at six
thirty pm Pacific time, Hot dropped little past seven o'clock
again from Team Mobile Arena. Ever it fits you, alkoniski
(19:56):
out in Vegas. I'll join you once again at thirty
two bar Grill at Cracking Community ice Plex. Come on
out join us, hang out with us for one last
time on the road. Schedule side here for this twenty
twenty four and twenty five Cracking season. Big thanks again too,
ever fits you for being with us ever Kracking this morning,
I Mike Benton, have a happy Thursday and enjoy the game.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
You're home for the Kraken Sports Radio ninety three point
three kJ r FM
Jared McCann near side goal line of the corner.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Brekovski scors Adam Larson from the corner. Andre Barrakovski got
the puck in the low slot while falling able to
bang it in bike you have and the crackhead on top.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Two nothing here at San Jose.
Speaker 4 (00:19):
Great offensive zone pressure by Seattle there and Jere mccannon
starting with that pucketting it down to Larson blow the
goal line. Larsen finds Breakowski in the slot there with
a great one time as you said, taking a knee
to get that shot off. It's two nothing, crackling.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Welcome to Kracking this morning, a presentation of the Kracking
Audio Network and Sports Radio ninety three point three KJR FM.
Here's Mike Benton.
Speaker 5 (00:44):
How soon can the cracking get back to more of
what you just heard? Welcome to Cracking this morning. On
a Thursday, April tenth, the final road game of the
season coming up between the Kraken and the Vegas Golden Knights.
It's going down this evening seven o'clock at T Mobile Arena.
I hope you can join again line from thirty two
Bar and Grill for studio coverage one last time in
(01:05):
a live and in person format at Kraken Community ice
Plex airtime six point thirty all across the Emerald Queen Casino.
Kraken Audio Network Ever refits you Alconiski live from T
Mobile Arena. I'll again join you right back at kCi.
Well the Kraken trying to break a four game losing
skit on the road to Vegas and also wash away
(01:26):
Tuesday night in a seven to one loss to Utah
Hockey Club where the Kraken fell to three and one
on the trip. Nonetheless, when would give them four wins
out of five in the final road trip of the
season before they wrap up matters on home ice, coming
up for a two game homestand opening Saturday against the
Saint Louis Blues, and next Tuesday for Fan Appreciation Night
(01:48):
against the Los Angeles Kings. It's all a part a
Fan Appreciation Week presented by Amazon. Ever it fits you
joining us in a bit as the crack Can looking
to get healthier from the last two games. Riker EV's
missing Monday's game due to illness. Philip Grubauer also out
of action Tuesday due to illness as well, prompting the
(02:09):
emergency recall of goaltender Victor Osman. He has been since
returned to Coachella Valley of the American Hockey League. This
series is tied at one game apiece. Vegas won the
previous matchup six to two over the Cracking back on
December twenty one, and the Kraken took the only meeting
in Seattle for the regular season four to three over
Vegas back on November eighth. All Right, final game on
(02:32):
the trip, coming up, final game on the road for
the regular season, coming up, Cracking at the Golden Knights,
seven o'clock this evening on air six thirty. Everett fits,
you has got his money's worth in Vegas, because that's
the high roller he is. Right now. I heard the
ten thousand dollars slots were involved, cannot confirm on that.
(02:53):
He joins us now on Cracking this morning, Fits, how
are you brother?
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Ten thousand dollars slots? They're in my dream own that
I remember one time. That was when I was in
the ECHNL back in the day, I went to one
of those video poker machines. I putout five bucks in
I won two hundred and fifty bucks and I hit
that cash out button, so bad. I thought I broke
(03:20):
the darn thing because I was like, you're not. I'm
not a gambler at all. I don't do any kind
of gambling. I don't do any kind of betting. That's
not that, I just never got into it. So I
thought it was a lie. I thought it was going
to trip me and be like I was playing, So
I cashed out as fast as I could.
Speaker 5 (03:35):
Now, I remember in my EHL days when Las Vegas
had the Wranglers, an EHL team, and they played at
Orleans Arena, and for those of them been out there,
it's it's it's off the strip a little bit, but
it's a decent setup, an amazing arena, great minor league building.
They've also held the West Coast Conference Tournament there as
(03:57):
well too, and I've called a midnight game. They used
to have night games or two in the when when
the Rangers played. But I remember, I mean, this is
just how bad I am at the tables where I'm
out with our head coach and I'm also out with
another former NHL player names redacted here to protect the innocent.
(04:18):
But I think it was I think it wasn't in
a game of slots, no I'm sorry. We were actually
playing Roulette and I cashed out of fifty bucks after
about roughly two hours, and I said, I'm good to go.
I'm walking away now.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Yeah, I'll see I'll.
Speaker 5 (04:37):
See you later. Absolutely, that is the extent of of
my of my winnings in Vegas. And I try, I
try to play where where the bars meant for me?
But anyway fits to have you here. First, I want
to acknowledge a hat top from last night to Sam
rose And who's retiring after this season from the game,
(04:58):
after his fortieth and HL season with the Rangers. Unbelievable
last night. Great to hear him like old times with
him and John Davidson to the TNT booth. I mean fed,
Sam's in a class by himself. He's a legend, a gentleman,
a professional. And whenever you and I get to bump
into Sam these days here as a colleague, it's a
good day.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
No, it is right, And I think Sam Rosen, I mean,
there's so many just iconic voices in this game, right,
so many people that we all look up to, that
we all remember talking with and being around, and you
know we all grew up listening to it. To certain guys.
And I think because Sam Rosen was always a Rangers guy,
(05:42):
I've never heard him that much on hockey growing up,
but a lot of folks don't remember he did football
NFL for a long time. So, you know, such a
very nice guy, and you know, it's funny there are
times when you have these like you know, don't meet
your hero moment. He's a hero that you we want
to meet and he is an unbelievable person. He is
(06:04):
so kind, He is so generous with his time or
with his comments, and can tell that he just loves
the games so much. And Sam is you know, again,
we haven't him and I haven't had a whole lot
of personal interaction. We only play the Rangers twice a year,
but every time we did play them, he was nothing
but gracious and kind.
Speaker 5 (06:25):
We also had a run in as well, a great
bumping with Nick Nixon back at the Cryptcom Arena booth.
He's also going to be hanging it up after forty
four years from the King's side, and we'll get a
chance here to see Nick on this last road trip.
Though he's not going to call the game, but he
will be on the trip as the Kings come in
for the season finale on the Crack inside at Climate
Pledge Arena here for this next Tuesday. So secondly, Jaden Schwartz,
(06:49):
he's the Crack and nominee for the Masterton Trophy. And
for those new here to this game, it's the award
for most perseverance sportsmanship dedication and it was named in
honor of the late Bill Masterton, who passed away tragically
back in nineteen sixty eight. In other words, what kind
of an example are you showing others about your professionalism,
(07:10):
your character and even adversity that you've had to overcome
and fince. Jaden Schwartz finally has a full season of
health again and he's been knocking on the door for
a career high end goals for a team he's signed
up for now ending his fourth season. Just flat out
he has been a joyed to cover and get to know.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
No he has And I think you're right everything about
you talked about in that description of the award. I mean,
he's finally healthy for a full season. He's been in
and out of the lineup consistently for the last couple
of years. But when he is in the lineup, you
see the impact that he's made. You see the impact
(07:49):
that he has on his teammates, You see the kind
of person that he is on a daily one to
one basis, right. I mean, Jayden Schwartz is one of
those guys who always what's up, Fit Saboy doing, Mikey
b how are we doing? Right? Like he's always talking
to us in the media. He's always lending an ear
to it, to the players. And you see him working
(08:10):
every day all the nights with Shane Wright, Ty Cartier's
Joannie Newman when he was here, even if there's not
always line. He wants to get the best and the
most out of guys. And you know, I think for
for for Shorty, this is a part of his career
where he wants to be a part of what is
(08:32):
being built in Seattle. He won a Stanley Cup. It
can be easy for him to want to chase cups
and want to say, hey, you know what, Ron trade me,
get me out of here, But he's not done that.
He wants to be here. He wants to see this
whole thing through. And I think, you know, we talk
about leaders and how there's so many leaders on this
(08:53):
on this team, and I think he is just as
important as the Jordan Eglies of the world, who wears
the captaincy because of his experience, but because of his
dedication to the game, his commitment to getting better. He
is one of the first guys on the ice. He
is one of the last guys to leave, you know,
And I think very few players that we've seen have
(09:15):
that same type of that same type of dedication and
ability and commitment, and he's one of those guys.
Speaker 5 (09:25):
Seventy eight games for him right now is the most
since twenty sixteen seventeen with the Blues. His twenty four
goals are the most since twenty seventeen eighteen, the year
before he won the Stanley Cup with them, and he's
four away from his career highs set ten years ago.
All doing this till here at age thirty two. So
(09:47):
on the matters of present day here for this road
trip fens, where do we separate the road trip? First
three games where the crackn look great, and then the
dividing line with what this team is telling us after
a seven to one lost Utah where it just got
out the tracks in a hurry back on Tuesday.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Yeah, yeah, it's sure, you know, man. I The second
game of back to back. That's what doesn't for these teas.
For this team, I mean, you now are oh for twelve.
You have twelve back to back situations this season, oh
for twelve in game twos of back to backs outscored
(10:26):
forty nine to seventeen, forty nine to seventeen, and of
those twelve games, seven of those twelve games you've allowed
four more goals. Next season, the schedule is not going
to get any easier because you're still going to have
to fit eighty two games into a tight window because
(10:49):
of the Olympic break. So they're going to have to
figure that out for next year. But listen, I mean
the road trip for me By and Marge is still successful.
I mean it was a five game road trip. At
the absolute worst, you're going to finish three and two
on the road trip. Until the other night you were
outscoring Vancouver Stan Jose And on that road trip you
(11:14):
were outscoring them in LA twelve to one, twelve to
two in those games. So you're finding off the lateness season,
you're continuing to show that you know there are some
bright bosts. There is planning for the future that you
know you can look to as positive but I think
this is a blip. How they respond tonight, How they
(11:36):
respond tonight against the Golden Knights, who are very much
like La in the thick of a seedings race in
the Western Conference. They want to keep their top spot.
They don't want LA or I think Edmonton's a little
bit tougher, but they don't want those two teams to
track them down. They want to maintain who of my
subdvantage through as long as they can. So how they
(11:59):
respond to night, I think for me will determine the
success of the road trip. This team goes four to
one on this road trip with a flip in Utah,
or if they go three one in one, uh you
know and have a hard fought overtime game or something
like that tonight, then then this is going to be
a successful trip for me.
Speaker 5 (12:19):
I talked this over with the Last Night and Crack
and Weekly Fitz to you, what do you look at
first to solve this issue next year of back to backs?
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Yeah? I mean, you know, Alan and I Allen, I
talked about this for the podcast after the Utah game
and we were trying to figure it out. Is it
is it fitness? Is it is it game plan? Is
it personnel. You don't know what it is, but I mean,
and even John Forsland on the TV side has said
multiple times, you know, I don't know. I don't think
(12:49):
I've ever seen this where a team has gone over
in so many back to backs the crack And now
we're just a second team in NHL history, joining the
ninety two ninety three San Jose Sharks to go winless
in a season in game twos of back to backs,
to not even get a regulation point in game twos
of back to backs, and they only have four that year.
(13:13):
So I mean, moving forward, I don't know. If you
know Dan Bilsma, you look at the game plan, everything
he says, he says, the right thing is the team
does the right things. It's about digging in, it's about
trying to find that extra momentum. But for whatever reason,
this season it's been the game two back to back
buck But that can't seem to get over.
Speaker 5 (13:34):
How much do you go back and look at that
win in Las something to bank on for the future.
It was the being that it was a defensive fistfight.
Everything offensively came in the first few minutes and the
Kraken had which this blew my mind to look at
in the postgame part of this thirty block shots.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
You know that I think I left I left that
LA game saying to myself, this system where dance plan,
where the personnel by and large works. I remember listening
to John Bortln on one of our competitors stations not
too long ago, and he was saying that, you know,
(14:14):
I'd like to think that it's taking a little bit
longer than necessary, but they're getting used to one another.
The guys are getting used to the game plan. We've
seen injuries all year long, so you've had guys playing
with different partners and with different linemates that you know,
I'd like to think that it's just taking a little
bit longer to get used to each other. And I
(14:35):
do think that that LA game showed me this team
can play a defensive two to one game. This team
could find the way to shut down and get big
wins in one of the top buildings in the league
and one of the hardest places to play against one
of the hardest teams in the league. So that LA
win showed a lot to me that that's a building block,
that is that is a win that I think We're
(14:57):
going to look back on it the sever times, you
you know, after the Ulstar or after the Four Nations break,
after the deadline. The Krackton have won more than they've lost,
They've scored more than they've allowed joy the Coot has
been playing very well. We've seen late season surges from
Andrea Barakovski and Chandler Stevenson, and you know, Gonnie Newman
(15:17):
had a great a couple of games, ten game tryout
with the Cracking. I think all of those storylines are
going to be great, But for me, it's going to
be that game in La. That said, against a team
that had only lost four times in regulation at home
off season one, against the team that was one of
the best in the Western Conference fighting for seeding. The
Kraken went in there with nothing on the line for
(15:38):
them and was able to shut them down.
Speaker 5 (15:41):
You would also think that the similar thing with the
game plan is going to apply here for the Savening.
Vegas has got a big team, a heavy team, a
hard building to play against as a team, and it's
a game that means only a strong finish for the
krack inside. But in the grand scheme of things, you've
had players sick on this road trip. Shane Right and
Matty Vaneers are right now knocking on the door to
(16:03):
hit twenty goals. Yeah, two players finish and minus three
age and Ryker Evans and Brandon Montour at Utah. So
against Vegas, who do you look at and where do
you look at to help this team get back into
the rebound mode and finish the trip off the four one?
Speaker 1 (16:19):
Well, these are the type of games good flash. Great
teams find ways to win these games, regardless of injury,
regardless of sickness, regardless of hired energy level, whatever it
is good too. Great teams find ways to win these games.
(16:41):
And I think if you're Sattle, it sounds so cliche.
Your best players have to be your best players tonight.
Jaden Schwartz, Matty Vaneers, Shane Wright, Vince Dunn, Adam Larsen,
Joey Decourt, all of those players that you count on,
and even the guys I didn't mention, right, all the
(17:02):
guys that you count on every night to perform for you.
They have to be your best players because again, it's
your final role game of this season. You got three
games left this year. You're trying to build a foundation
going into the offseason for the summer. This is going
to set up your your your free agency plan. This
is going to set up set up your plans moving
(17:22):
forward to what you think this team could look like,
could do uh coming up in the fall. So you know,
winning as many of these final games as you can
is are important. But beating a team like Vegas in
their building, the top team in the division going to
the playoffs, A lot of folks still think that they're,
you know, one of the teams to beat, you know
what I mean, if anyone's going to dethrone Washington in
(17:45):
Winnipeg at your top two teams, A lot of folks
still point to Vegas as potentially being able to do
that if you can come into their building and if
you can beat them, and if you can even if
it's a two to one game, I think it's more
impressive if the Crack and win Tomorrow's at night team
too one as opposed to you know, five to four
shootout or you know, an offensive a slug fest. But
(18:06):
if it can be a tight, defensive, checking game, or
the Crack can come out on top, I think that's
gonna go a long way for this group.
Speaker 5 (18:15):
Crack it aiming for their first win in five trips
into Vegas and get their first win since November twenty
fifth of twenty twenty two at T Mobile Arena and
aiming for a four and one road trip. Fits. Thank you,
enjoy your winnings, go treat yourself and hey, as a kids,
say Instagram or it didn't happen?
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Right?
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Hey?
Speaker 1 (18:37):
What happens in Vegas? Days in Vegas? Michael? I will
not be posting anything on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, the cloud,
smoke signals or other ones.
Speaker 5 (18:49):
That's awesome, that's awesome. Thanks, Fits, Yet we've heard it before.
Whatever happens in Vegas, Days in Vegas? Right ever? Fits you?
Joining us radio play by play across the emiral Queen
Casino Cracking audio network. Vegas is seven to two and
one in their previous ten games. They recently wrapped up
home ie advantage at the opening round in the shootout
loss to the Colorado Avalanche. They're led by Jack Eigels
(19:13):
ninety three points on the season, though he is day
to day and missed the shootout loss against Colorado, but
a surprise boost here from Pavel d'Oro Fayev has him
atop the goal scoring column on the Vegas side. He's
got a career high thirty three goals this season in
seventy eight games. Right now, Vegas occupying the top in
the Pacific Division with the forty seven to twenty two
(19:34):
to nine record point total at one hundred and three,
six ahead of second place Los Angeles, and Vegas has
four games to go on their regular season. The Kings,
by the way, have one game in hand. We have
everything covered for you. At beginning this evening at six
thirty pm Pacific time, Hot dropped little past seven o'clock
again from Team Mobile Arena. Ever it fits you, alkoniski
(19:56):
out in Vegas. I'll join you once again at thirty
two bar Grill at Cracking Community ice Plex. Come on
out join us, hang out with us for one last
time on the road. Schedule side here for this twenty
twenty four and twenty five Cracking season. Big thanks again too,
ever fits you for being with us ever Kracking this morning,
I Mike Benton, have a happy Thursday and enjoy the game.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
You're home for the Kraken Sports Radio ninety three point
three kJ r FM
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