November 30th 2024.
In his journey as a professional hockey player in North America, Sharks forward Klim Kostin has faced many challenges. He has had to prove himself as more than just a fighter and fight for a full-time spot on the NHL team. It hasn't been easy, and there have been many emotional moments along the way. But in his recent game against the Seattle Kraken, Kostin showed that he truly belongs in the league.
It was a wild game at SAP Center, with a boisterous matinee crowd of 14,795 in attendance. Kostin had a standout performance, scoring a goal and an assist, as well as getting into a fight for his second career Gordie Howe hat trick. His teammate Jake Walman also had two goals, and Mikael Granlund, Macklin Celebrini, Timothy Liljegren, Will Smith, and Ethan Cardwell each added one, resulting in the Sharks' highest-scoring game of the season. Cardwell's goal was especially memorable, as it was the first of his NHL career.
Kostin's goal came during the first period, followed by his assist in the second period, which gave the Sharks a 5-4 lead. He also had six hits throughout the game, showcasing his physical presence on the ice. The Sharks will face the Kraken again on Saturday, as they begin a lengthy road trip.
Granlund, who played with Kostin late last season, praised his teammate's performance, saying that when Kostin is skating, he can be a really effective player in the league. Kostin was acquired by the Sharks at last season's trade deadline, and since then, he has been proving his worth. In his first 19 games with the Sharks, he had 10 points, compared to just four points in 33 games with the Detroit Red Wings.
At 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, Kostin is a force to be reckoned with on the ice. However, he didn't want to be known solely as a fighter. He wanted to show that he could do more than just drop the gloves and rough up opponents. As he said, "When you go through some tough moments in your career, like 10-15 games, you're not scoring, you're not helping your team, no effort. You're a low-minute player; you're just hard on yourself."
Kostin's fight with Kraken defenseman Will Borgen in the third period was a perfect example of his determination to stand up for his teammates. After Borgen delivered a hard hit from behind to Granlund, Kostin stepped up and fought him, earning his second Gordie Howe hat trick in the NHL.
Friday's game was Kostin's 14th of the season, as he had been a healthy scratch 10 times. But he has been trending in the right direction, and his coaches have taken notice. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky praised Kostin's recent performances, saying, "He's skating. He's confident. It's amazing what confidence can do for a player, right? He's had some good games. He's strung them together. Next thing you know, you can get moved up, playing the second power play there. He's doing some really good things."
For Kostin, Friday's game was a reminder that he is still alive and has the support of his teammates. His goal and assist, along with his fight, were a breath of fresh air after facing some tough moments in his career. As he said, "Games like that remind you, 'Hey man, you're still alive.'" And for rookie Ethan Cardwell, who was called up from the San Jose Barracuda, Friday's game was a dream come true as he scored his first NHL goal.
Overall, it was a memorable game for the Sharks, who finished their homestand with a 2-2-0 record. As they embark on a six-game road trip, they will look to continue their success and build on the chemistry between players like Kostin and Cardwell. Friday's game showed that when they play with passion and determination, they can achieve great things.
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