Catton scores game-winner in shootout, Kraken end skid with 4-3 victory against Golden Knights

SEATTLE (AP) — Berkly Catton scored in the third period and added a game-winner in the shootout as the Seattle Kraken ended a six-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night.

It was just the second win for the Kraken (33-34-11) in the last 12 games.

The Golden Knights (36-26-17) had their four-game win streak snapped under new head coach John Tortorella.

Mark Stone gave Vegas a 1-0 lead with 10:04 left in the first period and he added his 26th goal of the season on the power play 55 seconds into the second.

Vegas went ahead 3-1 just 1:11 into the third when Brett Howden scored off the rush.

The Kraken got on the board late in the second on a power-play goal by Jared McCann, his 20th of the season. It was Seattle’s first power-play goal since March 21 to end a 0-for-17 skid. It also marked the fifth straight season McCann has scored 20 goals, all with the Kraken.

Catton cut it to 3-2 early in the third and Bobby McMann netted his 28th of the year to tie the game for the Kraken.

Joey Daccord stopped 31 shots for Seattle. The Kraken recalled goalie Nikke Kokko from the Coachella Valley Firebirds on an emergency basis ahead of the game. Goalie Matt Murray was away from the team for a family matter.

Seattle and president of hockey operations Ron Francis mutually parted ways Wednesday, which Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke discussed ahead of Thursday’s game.

Golden Knights: At Colorado on Saturday.

Kraken: Host Calgary on Saturday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) moves the puck against Seattle Kraken center Frederick Gaudreau, left, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord reacts to making a save against Vegas Golden Knights right wing Pavel Dorofeyev in a shootout for the win in an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrates his goal with defenseman Rasmus Andersson (4) as Seattle Kraken center Berkly Catton (27) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Kraken center Berkly Catton makes the winning shot against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill during a shootout in an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Simon Tassy and Ryan Botterill scored 27 seconds apart in the first period and Wisconsin defeated North Dakota 2-1 on Thursday to put the Badgers in the Frozen Four title game for the first time since 2010.

The Badgers (24-12-2), seeded third in their region, will play Denver (28-11-3) in the championship game Saturday. Wisconsin has won six titles, its most recent coming 20 years ago.

“At this time of the season, (winning is) all that matters,” Wisconsin coach Mike Hastings said. ”It doesn't have to be a Mona Lisa. You've just got to find a way to make sure you're living for another day, and this group has talked about this moment for a long time."

Wisconsin defeated North Dakota (29-10-1) for the first time in the NCAA Tournament after going 0-3 against the Fighting Hawks. Wisconsin, which beat a No. 1 seed for the second time in a row, had gone 1-11-2 in its previous 14 meetings with the Hawks.

“I think at this time of year, you should be playing your best hockey,” Wisconsin defenseman Ben Dexheimer said. “We've been slowly ramping up, and it's pretty close to one of our best (games). So we're just going to keep moving the trajectory upwards.”

North Dakota, which came less than a minute from being shut out for the first time in more than a year, has gone a decade since winning its eighth national championship.

Daniel Hauser stopped 21 shots for the Badgers, including tough glove save through traffic while sitting down on a 6-on-5 with 2:05 left.

“Luckily, I found a sightline,” Hauser said. “I was lucky enough to get a glove on it. That was probably a box-out from one of our D-men to let me see it. It was kind of a funny play, but I came up with it.”

Front-line center Ellis Rickwood scored North Dakota's lone goal on a 6-on-5, and Jan Spunar made 35 saves.

The Badgers' defense limited a North Dakota offense that entered the game third nationally in scoring (3.8 goals per game). But Wisconsin’s forecheck dictated the early points and set the tone.

Wisconsin dominated the first period, taking 18 shots on goal to four. The Badgers scored twice 27 seconds apart when Tassy and Botterill hit the back of the net from the right circle.

Even when the Hawks had chances, they usually failed to take advantage, going 0 for 5 on the power play, including a 5-on-3 in the second period that lasted 1:56. Ollie Josephson also missed a chance in that period to score on a breakaway.

“Special teams is such an important part of the game,” North Dakota defenseman Jake Livanavage said. “We just weren't good enough. The amount of power plays we had, we really should capitalize.”

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Wisconsin defenseman Joe Palodichuk (14) skates against North Dakota defenseman Jake Livanavage (4) in the second period of a semifinal game of the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Wisconsin forward Simon Tassy (11) celebrates after scoring against North Dakota in the first period of a semifinal game of the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Wisconsin forward Ryan Botterill (21) scores against North Dakota goaltender Jan Spunar (35) in the first period of a semifinal game of the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)