Seattle Kraken's Joey Daccord Shines with Historic Shutout
A Historic Shutout at the Winter Classic
In a display of goaltending prowess that will be etched in the annals of the National Hockey League (NHL), Seattle Kraken's Joey Daccord delivered an impeccable shutout against the Vegas Golden Knights. The remarkable 3-0 victory came during the much-anticipated 2024 NHL Winter Classic on Monday, where Daccord made an astounding 35 saves to secure the win.
This triumph not only marked the first shutout in a Winter Classic but also represented Daccord's fifth shutout in the league's celebrated outdoor games. His previous shutout was against the Florida Panthers on December 12, 2023, showcasing his consistent form and solidifying his reputation as a formidable presence between the pipes.
Team Effort Leads to Victory
The game saw Seattle center Matty Beniers praising Daccord's stellar performance. "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 commented, highlighting the critical role Daccord played in the team's success.
Daccord's heroics included key saves against prominent players like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, which left fans chanting his name at T-Mobile Park following the game. The crowd's support was not lost on the goaltender. "It's truly the coolest thing in the world to have that support from them," Daccord expressed, acknowledging the electrifying atmosphere created by the home supporters.
Offensively, the Kraken were buoyed by Eeli Tolvanen, who scored a goal and assisted another. Tolvanen redirected a shot from Vince Dunn to find the net early in the first period. Later, Will Borgen capitalized on Tolvanen's assist to score in the second period. Yanni Gourde's tenacity paid off when he stole the puck and scored early in the third period, sealing the fate of the game.
The victory extended Seattle's point streak to nine games, with a record of 7-0-2, underscoring their current competitive edge in the league.
Coaches' Perspectives
Seattle Kraken coach Dave Hakstol reflected on the victory and the significance of the event. "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," Hakstol remarked, emphasizing the unique experience of the Winter Classic and the joy of a home win.
On the other side, the defeat added to the woes of the Vegas Golden Knights, who suffered their fifth loss in six games. Head coach Bruce Cassidy did not hide his disappointment with his team's performance, particularly their start to the game. "I'm a little disappointed in that we weren't better out of the gate," Cassidy stated, pinpointing the lack of urgency that plagued his team from the onset. He further elaborated, "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."
Veteran player Mark Stone suggested that fatigue might be contributing to the Golden Knights' struggles, indicating that the team may need to address its conditioning and recovery strategies moving forward.
Looking Ahead
Both teams are set to return to the ice soon, with the Golden Knights facing the Florida Panthers on January 4th in an attempt to reverse their fortunes. Meanwhile, the Kraken will host the Ottawa Senators on the same day, aiming to continue their impressive point streak and capitalize on the momentum from their historic Winter Classic victory.
As the NHL season progresses, the Seattle Kraken's formidable display at the Winter Classic has undoubtedly set a high bar for goaltending excellence, while the Vegas Golden Knights are left to regroup and reassess their approach to regain their competitive edge.