A Historic Shutout at the Winter Classic
In a remarkable display of skill and poise, Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord achieved what no other has in the history of the NHL Winter Classic: a shutout. The Kraken's 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday not only marked a personal triumph for Daccord but also solidified his reputation as an outdoor game specialist.
Throughout the game, Daccord was a veritable wall, turning away all 35 shots he faced, including high-danger chances from renowned forwards Jack Eichel and Mark Stone. This stellar performance under the open sky at T-Mobile Park brought the crowd to their feet, culminating in chants of Daccord's name echoing throughout the stadium after the final horn.
Daccord's Outdoor Game Mastery
This shutout adds to Daccord's impressive resume of performances in the NHL's outdoor games, with this being his fifth. His knack for delivering when it counts was previously on display when he blanked the Florida Panthers on December 12, 2023. The consistency of his play has been a cornerstone for the Kraken, much to the delight of teammates and fans alike.
Matty Beniers, Seattle's center, praised Daccord's reliability between the pipes, saying, "You always talk about goalies and what a really good goalie is and the best way to describe it is he saves the ones he needs to and then he saves one or two more that he shouldn't save. And that's what he's done for us basically every game."
Team Effort Leads to Victory
While Daccord's heroics were the highlight, the team effort by the Kraken contributed significantly to the win. Eeli Tolvanen played a crucial role, scoring the opening goal with a deft redirection of a Vince Dunn shot early in the first period. He didn't stop there; Tolvanen continued to make his presence felt by assisting Will Borgen's goal in the second period, further tightening the Kraken's grip on the game.
Yanni Gourde added to the Golden Knights' woes, capitalizing on a puck-stealing opportunity and finding the back of the net early in the third period. This collective effort extended Seattle's point streak to nine games, boasting a record of 7-0-2 during that span, signaling a formidable stretch of form for the Kraken.
Coach Dave Hakstol shared his sentiments on the victory and the event itself, noting, "To have the opportunity to do this in this ballpark, in front of our home fans, get the result that everybody wanted makes it pretty special and that's the best way to remember this event."
Golden Knights Facing Challenges
On the flip side, the Vegas Golden Knights are grappling with adversity, having lost five of their last six games. Head coach Bruce Cassidy did not mince words about his team's lackluster start, stating, "It got to be 2-0 and we didn't have the urgency required early on. By the time we got it, we're chasing the game, which has happened to us lately." Cassidy expressed his disappointment in the team's inability to come out strong, a factor that may be contributing to their recent slide.
Mark Stone, captain of the Golden Knights, hinted that fatigue might be playing a role in the team's struggles, suggesting that the demanding schedule could be taking its toll. The Golden Knights will have an opportunity to bounce back when they face the Florida Panthers on January 4.
Looking Ahead
The Kraken, riding the wave of this historic win, will look to continue their impressive run as they host the Ottawa Senators on the same day. With Daccord's confidence at an all-time high and the team coalescing around him, the Kraken's prospects appear bright as they forge ahead into the season.
The support from the fans has not gone unnoticed by the players, especially the man of the hour, Joey Daccord, who reflected on the outpouring of affection from the stands, "It's truly the coolest thing in the world to have that support from them."
As the NHL season progresses, both the Seattle Kraken and the Vegas Golden Knights will aim to build on their experiences from the Winter Classic, whether they serve as lessons or as a springboard to further success. One thing is certain: the 2024 NHL Winter Classic will be remembered for Daccord's outstanding shutout and the electrifying atmosphere at T-Mobile Park.