Photo Essay: Kraken Lunar New Year's Game At Climate Pledge Arena

It's been our great good fortune to have talented pro photographers Caroline Anne and Dexter Guiang lend us their considerable talents this season.

Caroline and Dex did so again, as you'll see, for the Seattle Kraken's Lunar New Year game Monday at Climate Pledge Arena.

They combined game snaps against the Red Wings with photos of the colorful pregame and intermission activities.

By the way, here's the Smithsonian's explanation of the holiday:

"Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is the most important holiday in China, and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam, and countries with a significant overseas Chinese population. Those celebrating consider it the time of the year to reunite with immediate and extended family."

Now, the pictures. The captions are my fault.

From a Kraken press release: "On Celebration Nights, we feature specialty jerseys created by a local artist who reinterprets our iconic 'S’ logo.

"Artist Juliana Kang-Robinson drew inspiration from the dragons in Korean art from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). She loved that the dragons in Eastern culture - particularly Korea and China - were viewed as auspicious and benevolent bringers of rain and clouds, inferring prosperity, power, and protection."

The Seattle Chinese Lunar New Year Girls Drill Team.

The National Anthem was performed with great poise by 11 year old Yolanda Ji. (Stick tap to Come As You Are Hockey for background info.)

Well, that's gratitude for you. The Kraken recognize ex-teammate Daniel Sprong... then he goes out and scores a goal for his new team, the Red Wings.

One other Climate Pledge Arena shout-out was even more well-deserved...

...Guyle Fielder, here with Kraken GM Ron Francis. As we detailed in a story here , Fielder is the greatest hockey player in Seattle history.

Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson, with a swing which would make Paul Bunyan proud.

Tomas Tatar (90) and Kailer Yamamoto (56), clearly on edge.

Meanwhile, on the concourse, this snappy - and signed - Matty Beniers Lunar New Year's sweater up for auction.

A member of Seattle's Mak Fai Kung Fu Dragon & Lion Dance Association.

The Association performed during the first intermission.

I'll translate for you. The banner says, "Happy New Year." You're welcome.

From their website : "We aim to enrich and promote lion dancing in the Greater Seattle area." Mission accomplished, guys.

They've been performing since 1974, doing hundreds of shows each year.

I wish I could see what's so interesting about linesperson C.J. Murray's puck, because it sure has everyone's attention.

Jared McCann (19), who scored his 23rd and 24th goals on Monday, fights for his right to party... or establish position.

If Detroit goalie Alex Lyon were to somehow stop this Jaden Schwartz shot, we'd have to name it "The Lyon," because he's Lyon on his back. What?

No immortality for Lyon, as Schwartz's laser zings past his glove for the third Kraken goal in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Red Wings.