Kraken Beat Vegas in a Shootout and Ron Francis Is Out

The Kraken got the win Thursday night at Climate Pledge Arena, taking down the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in a shootout. It was a gutsy performance, but the bigger story breaking right now? Ron Francis is stepping down as President of Hockey Operations and leaving the organization at the end of the season. Yeah, that's happening.

How the Kraken Pulled Off the Shootout Win

Goals in regulation came from Jared McCann on the power play, plus Berkly Catton and Bobby McMann. That got it to overtime, where things got weird and wild, which is exactly when you want your team firing. In the shootout, Catton scored to seal it. Head coach Lane Lambert and the squad found a way to grind through a Vegas team that never rolls over easy.

Brandon Montour gave Ryan Winterton the F1 victory helmet after the win, which is the kind of team moment that matters when you're grinding through a tough stretch.

The Francis Bombshell

This one came out of nowhere. Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke announced that Francis is departing at the end of the 2025-26 season. Leiweke spoke to the media right after the win, discussing Francis' impact on the organization since day one and what's ahead for the front office. No details yet on what comes next, but this is major for how the Kraken move forward. You don't replace a guy like that overnight.

What's Next

The Kraken are back to work after Friday's practice at Kraken Community Iceplex. Coach Lambert addressed the team on what's ahead, and the roster knows there's a lot to prove down the stretch. Jordan Eberle and company are locked in.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.