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Deep Blue Sea: Ryan Donato shares special win with memory of Colby Cave

Grab a tissue, because this is a sports story that will tug on your heartstrings.

Forward Ryan Donato has become part of the inaugural Seattle Kraken team’s core, scoring the franchise’s first-ever goal and more recently, scoring the game-tying goal, along with the first shootout goal, in the Kraken’s win over the Chicago Blackhawks last night.

There were some special guests in last night’s audience, as Emily Cave, the widow of the late Colby Cave, was watching Donato in the stands with a friend. Colby had been teammates with Donato on the Boston Bruins during the 2017-18 season. The pair were friends, and Emily even gifted Donato one of Colby’s gameday ties. Donato wore the tie to Monday night’s game.

In the stands, Emily felt Colby’s memory in Climate Pledge Arena, sharing to Instagram later that she felt certain he would have been teammates with Donato again.

“Talking with many people, it’s very clear that Colb would have played for the Seattle Kraken. Ryan wearing one of his game worn ties tonight that I gifted him, then scoring a goal, and winning first star with me in the stands was extremely emotional. There are no words to describe how close the NHL family is and how thankful I am for them. Thank you for continuing to honour my husband, keeping me alive, and being so incredible. I love y’all.”

Colby Cave was 25 years old when he died unexpectedly following a brain bleed caused by a colloid cyst that was surgically removed. The Colby Cave Memorial Fund has been created in his honor, raising funds for community mental health initiatives and athletic access for underprivileged youth in Edmonton, where Colby played in his final two seasons.

His legacy continues to live on through everyone he has touched.

What a special night in Seattle.

News & Notes

  • Sharks entering key stretch with playoff race, brutal schedule, Hertl contract situation [NBC Sports]
  • All-Star Timo Meier scores five goals, ‘deserves all the credit’ for San Jose Sharks’ convincing win [ESPN]
  • Timo Meier’s epic five-goal game leaves hockey world in awe [Yahoo! Sports]
  • Timo Meier sets new Sharks record with scoring outburst vs. Kings [The Mercury News]
  • Meier scores five goals to lift Sharks past Kings [NHL.com]
  • NHL Rink Wrap: Five goals for Meier, Kraken no longer mired in losing streak [NBC Sports]/

Blood in the Water

  • Donato wears tie that belonged to late friend Cave, leads Kraken to win [NHL.com]
  • Price has to restart knee rehab for Canadiens [NHL.com]
  • Boston Bruins To Retire Jersey Of Willie O’Ree, NHL’s First Black Player [HuffPost]
  • Montreal Canadiens hire former NHL agent Kent Hughes as new general manager [ESPN]
  • NHL, NHLPA planning to lessen testing requirements for asymptomatic people [Sportsnet]
  • Biggest Midseason Surprises, Questions From the 2021–22 NHL Season [Sports Illustrated]
  • Making sense of the NHL standings as a few teams approach the halfway mark [Pension Plan Puppets]
  • All-American Game showcases top U.S. talent for 2022 NHL Draft [NHL.com]
  • On showing up: The invention of film, risking inflammation, and the NHL’s potential new iron man [Broad Street Hockey]/

Scores & Recaps

  • Detroit Red Wings 3, Buffalo Sabres 2 (OT)
  • Minnesota Wild 3, Colorado Avalanche 4 (SO)
  • Los Angeles Kings 2, San Jose Sharks 6
  • Montreal Canadiens 2, Arizona Coyotes 5
  • Chicago Blackhawks 2, Seattle Kraken 3 (SO)
  • Philadelphia Flyers 1, New York Islanders 4
  • Nashville Predators 3, St. Louis Blues 5
  • Pittsburgh Penguins 5, Vegas Golden Knights 3/

Click on a team name to find a recap on their SB Nation site!

On the Schedule

  • New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers, 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on ESPN+, HULU
  • Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins, 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on SNE, SNO, TVAS, NESN, BSSO, ESPN+
  • Buffalo Sabres at Ottawa Senators, 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on TSN5, RDS2, MSG-B, ESPN+
  • Winnipeg Jets at Washington Capitals, 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on NBCSWA, TSN3, ESPN+
  • Vancouver Canucks at Nashville Predators, 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on BSSO, SNP, ESPN+
  • Montreal Canadiens at Dallas Stars, 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET on BSSW, TSN2, RDS, ESPN+
  • Florida Panthers at Calgary Flames, 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET on SN1, SNW, BSFL, ESPN+
  • Tampa Bay Lightning at Los Angeles Kings, 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET on BSW, BSSUN, ESPN+/
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