Daccord's Stellar Performance Leads Kraken to Victory
In an outstanding display of skill and poise, Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord delivered a flawless performance, securing a 3-0 shutout against the Vegas Golden Knights. This remarkable feat took place at the much-anticipated 2024 NHL Winter Classic on Monday, where Daccord made an impressive 35 saves.
The win not only marked the first shutout in Winter Classic history but also represented Daccord's fifth shutout in the NHL's outdoor games. His previous outdoor game shutout was against the Florida Panthers on December 12, 2023, showcasing his consistency and dominance between the pipes.
Seattle's center, Matty Beniers, praised Daccord's abilities, highlighting his knack for making crucial saves. "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," said Beniers.
Key Moments from the Game
Daccord's heroics included key stops against top players like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, which kept the Golden Knights at bay throughout the contest. Following the game, fans at T-Mobile Park expressed their appreciation by chanting Daccord's name, a testament to his spectacular performance.
On the offensive front, Eeli Tolvanen contributed significantly to the Kraken's victory. He scored a goal and provided an assist, demonstrating his pivotal role in the team's offense. Tolvanen expertly redirected a shot from Vince Dunn to open the scoring early in the first period, setting the tone for the game.
Will Borgen capitalized on Tolvanen's assist in the second period, widening the gap. Yanni Gourde added to the lead early in the third period with a steal and a goal, cementing the Kraken's dominance in the match.
This victory extended the Kraken's point streak to nine games, boasting a record of 7-0-2, signaling a strong phase of form for the team as they continue to build momentum in the season.
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 importance of the win in front of the home crowd.
On the other side, the mood was less celebratory. The Vegas Golden Knights, led by coach Bruce Cassidy, faced their fifth loss in six games. Cassidy did not hide his disappointment, particularly 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 explained. Cassidy also mentioned being "a little disappointed in that we weren't better out of the gate."
Mark Stone of the Golden Knights suggested that fatigue might be playing a role in the team's recent struggles, indicating that the team may need to address its conditioning and recovery strategies moving forward.
Looking Ahead
Both teams are looking ahead to their next challenges. The Golden Knights will face the Florida Panthers on January 4, hoping to reverse their fortunes and get back on track. Meanwhile, the Kraken will host the Ottawa Senators on the same day, aiming to extend their impressive point streak and solidify their position in the standings.
As the NHL season progresses, the Seattle Kraken's triumph at the Winter Classic will be remembered as a highlight, particularly for Joey Daccord's exceptional goaltending performance. It's clear that as the Kraken continue to ride the wave of success, their opponents will need to find answers to overcome Daccord's formidable presence in goal.