DENVER — Joel Kiviranta has scored three goals before, but never like this. On December 22, 2024, Kiviranta's hat trick propelled the Colorado Avalanche to a decisive 5-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken, showcasing not only his talents but also the team's burgeoning momentum this season. With this win, the Avalanche completed their season sweep against the Kraken, clinching all three matchups.
Kiviranta's first goal came on what was described as an impressive play, underlining his growth since joining the Avalanche. Kiviranta, who has struggled to find his place since his postseason breakout with the Dallas Stars back in 2020, was on fire throughout the game, scoring his final two goals during the closing moments when the Kraken pulled their goalie for the extra skater.
"I guess it’s nice to have him get a hat trick on our side, that's for sure," joked Avalanche superstar Cale Makar after the match. Kiviranta had previously scored against the Avalanche in key playoff moments, but this time, the hat trick was for his own team and not against them.
The game began with both teams feeling each other out, but the Avalanche’s Kivy kicked off the scoring at 10:05 of the first period with Cale Makar's power-play goal. Makar's shot, aided by Valeri Nichushkin's effective screen, slipped through traffic past goaltender Joey Daccord, setting the crowd alight. Seattle fought back late in the opening period, with Jared McCann scoring at 17:55 to level the game.
Momentum swung again at the start of the second, where Seattle's newest addition, Kaapo Kakko, put the Kraken up 2-1 with his first goal for the team, just four minutes from the start. It was short-lived, though, as Colorado quickly retaliated. Just 11 seconds later, Nathan MacKinnon drove to the net, forcing Daccord to make the save, but Nichushkin was there for the rebound, tying the game at 2-2.
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar praised Kiviranta's growth, stating, "The evolution of Kivy’s game goes back to early last year. He started really digging in on his game and trying to do more on the offensive side of it." This was evident as Kiviranta entered the scoring conversation not just on empty-net goals but through solid set-up plays as well.
At 12:01 of the second period, Kiviranta found himself on the receiving end of Mikko Rantanen's swift passing, netting his first official goal of the evening. It was the Avalanche's third goal, which gave them the lead they would never relinquish. With this goal, Kiviranta not only reclaimed his confidence but also reached double-digits for the season, marking his career high with 10 goals.
Despite the scoreboard showing their dominance, the Avalanche defense also played exceptionally well. Mackenzie Blackwood, who faced only 19 shots throughout the night, made several key stops, including saving the Kraken from potentially tying the game once again.
The Avalanche continued to assert their dominance, forcing the Kraken to take desperation shots toward the end of the game as they looked to close the gap. Kiviranta became the hero with two empty-net goals at 17:26 and 18:28, solidifying his hat trick and ensuring the Avalanche's win.
After the match, Kiviranta reflected on his achievement, stating, "A hat trick is a hat trick. It was three good bounces today. I’m just happy we got these two points before the Christmas break." This victory pushed the Avalanche's record to 21-15-0 as they head toward the holiday break.
The Avalanche showed signs of their return to form, having now won three straight games and four of their last five, demonstrating their resilience following their shaky start to the season. Mackenzie Blackwood, adjusting to his new role with Colorado, commented on the upcoming break, mentioning, "The break will be good for everyone. Rest the legs, come back refreshed. I’m sure we’ll be fine." This solid performance set the perfect stage for the Avalanche as they continue pushing for playoff positioning.
