A Historic Shutout at the Winter Classic
In an impressive display of skill and poise, Seattle Kraken's goaltender Joey Daccord secured a historic 3-0 shutout victory against the Vegas Golden Knights at the 2024 NHL Winter Classic on Monday. The win marks the first time a goalie has achieved a shutout in the history of the Winter Classic series.
Daccord was sensational between the pipes, turning away all 35 shots he faced. This stellar performance not only contributed to his team's victory but also added a fifth shutout to his record in the NHL's outdoor games. His last shutout came recently when he blanked the Florida Panthers on December 12, 2023.
Team Effort Leads to Victory
The Kraken's success was a collective effort, with center Matty Beniers praising Daccord's reliability in goal. "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," Beniers said, highlighting the critical role Daccord played in their recent games.
Indeed, Daccord made several key saves throughout the match, denying formidable opponents like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone from finding the back of the net. Following the game, fans at T-Mobile Park showed their appreciation by chanting Daccord's name, a testament to his outstanding performance.
Offensively, the Kraken were just as effective. Eeli Tolvanen had a remarkable night, scoring a goal and assisting another. He opened the scoring early in the first period by expertly redirecting a shot from Vince Dunn. Later, Will Borgen capitalized on Tolvanen's assist to extend the lead in the second period. Yanni Gourde then sealed the deal with a steal and a score early in the third, showcasing the Kraken's opportunistic play.
This victory extended Seattle's point streak to nine games, boasting a record of 7 wins, 0 losses, and 2 overtime/shootout losses during this stretch.
Coaches Reflect on the Game
Seattle Kraken's head coach Dave Hakstol shared his thoughts on the victory and the event itself. "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," he commented, emphasizing the unique experience of playing at such a venue and the joy of delivering a win for the local supporters.
On the other side, the mood was less celebratory. The Vegas Golden Knights, led by coach Bruce Cassidy, suffered their fifth loss in six games. Cassidy expressed his disappointment with the team's start to the game. "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," he stated, pointing out the lack of intensity that has plagued the team in recent matches.
Cassidy further lamented the team's performance right out of the gate, saying, "I'm a little disappointed in that we weren't better out of the gate." Meanwhile, Vegas captain Mark Stone suggested that fatigue might be contributing to the team's struggles, indicating that the condensed schedule and high-intensity games could be taking their toll on the players.
Looking Ahead
Both teams are looking forward to their next matchups. The Vegas Golden Knights will aim to bounce back from their recent slump as they prepare to face off against the Florida Panthers on January 4. The Kraken will also be in action on the same day, hosting the Ottawa Senators with hopes of extending their point streak and continuing their impressive run of form.
As the NHL season progresses, the Seattle Kraken and their fans have much to celebrate after a memorable Winter Classic performance, while the Vegas Golden Knights will undoubtedly regroup and seek to return to their winning ways in the upcoming games.