Kartye, Froden Join Firebirds

Before the Kraken's Game 7 in Dallas Monday, rookie Tye Kartye admitted he really hasn't had much time to savor his nothing-short-of-stellar NHL debut over the final 10 games of Seattle's postseason.

"I don't think so," said Kartye, laughing at his locker in the visitors' locker room at American Airlines Center. "Yeah, I'll probably do that after the season's over when I'm reflecting on it. But there hasn't been too much time here to reflect. We're kind of always on the go. With all of the games, just kind of trying to take it day by day."

Kartye's meditation on going from an undrafted free agent signed in March 2022 to American Hockey League rookie of the year honors to scoring three goals on a line with Jordan Eberle and fellow rookie sensation Matty Beniers will have to wait. He was reassigned to AHL affiliate Coachella Valley Tuesday to rejoin the Firebirds for a high-stakes Game 4 Wednesday at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert. The Firebirds lead their third-round series, up two games to one in a best-of-five series with the Calgary Wranglers, Pacific Division rival and No. 1 overall team during the AHL regular season.

Kartye scored two goals in three AHL first-round games before getting the call to practice with the Kraken ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and staying with the club on the road in Denver for Games 1 and 2 against Colorado. He returned to the Firebirds after that, only to be recalled after Jared McCann was injured on a late hit by Colorado's Cale Makar in Game 4 of the first round. He played in Game 5 and scored his first NHL goal with his parents in attendance after a whirlwind, last-minute travel day arranged by the Kraken and requiring a "probably faster than the speed limit" drive from hometown Kingston, ON, to Toronto for a flight that allowed Mom and Dad to arrive during the first period and in time to see their son score.

The Firebirds will no doubt welcome the fresh legs of veteran Jesper Froden (he has been on reserve as part of the so-called "black aces" who practice with their teams during the NHL postseason as sort of a reserve squad) and somewhat rested Kartye. Coachella Valley played more than 111 minutes of game time Monday in a thrilling 3-2 triple overtime home win to go up on Calgary. Not to be lost, Froden was tops among the Firebirds in goals and among AHL leaders when called up to the Kraken during the regular season. Goaltender Chris Driedger also has rejoined the Firebirds for the remainder of the AHL expansion team's first-ever playoff run.

Seattle's 2021 second-round NHL draft choice, defenseman Ryker Evans, scored the game-winner Monday on an assist from forward Kole Lind (he has seven goals and nine assists to date in the playoffs, leading the league in points). It's Evans' second goal in the Calder Cup Playoffs to go along with 10 assists in 11 games played. The 21-year-old, who made the AHL All-Star Game at midseason, and Kartye were both named the end-of-season AHL All-Rookie first team.

Evans notched the primary assist on Max McCormick's game-tying goal in the third period Monday. McCormick and Lind both top all NHL scoring leaders with seven goals each. After falling behind 2-0 to Calgary, veteran defenseman Gustav Olofsson put the Firebirds on the scoreboard with his second goal of the season.

Coachella Valley's Joey Daccord made 60 saves, outdueling AHL regular-season MVP and former Everett Silvertips goalie Dustin Wolf. Daccord made an eye-popping 19 saves in the first overtime and 36 total over extra time.

The Firebirds are looking to close out the series Wednesday night to avoid a win-or-go-home Game 5 Friday at Coachella Valley in the Pacific Division final. The winner of this series will face the winner of the Central Division final between the Texas Stars and Milwaukee Admirals for the Western Conference final and a spot in the Calder Cup Final. Fans can watch the Firebirds by signing up for AHL TV on TheAHL.com.