The Seattle Kraken celebrated the new year with a historic win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2024 NHL Winter Classic at T-Mobile Park on Monday. The Kraken shut out the defending Stanley Cup champions by a score of 3-0 in front of 47,313 fans, becoming the first team to win an outdoor game in their inaugural season.
Kraken goalie Daccord posts first career shutout
The star of the game was Kraken goalie Joey Daccord, who made 32 saves to earn his first career shutout. Daccord, who was making his fifth start of the season, was calm and composed throughout the game, stopping several high-quality chances from the Golden Knights.
Daccord said he was thrilled to be part of such a special event and to achieve a personal milestone.
“It’s unbelievable. It’s a dream come true. I’ve watched every Winter Classic since I was a kid and to be able to play in one and get a shutout is something I’ll never forget,” he said. “The atmosphere was incredible. The fans were amazing. They were loud and supportive the whole game. It was a lot of fun.”
Kraken score three goals in second period
The game was scoreless after the first period, but the Kraken broke the deadlock early in the second with a power-play goal from Jaden Schwartz. Schwartz redirected a pass from Jordan Eberle past Golden Knights goalie Robin Lehner for his 12th goal of the season.
The Kraken doubled their lead midway through the period with a goal from Ryan Donato, who beat Lehner with a wrist shot from the left circle. Donato, who was a healthy scratch for the previous two games, said he was happy to contribute to the team’s win.
“It feels great. It’s been a tough stretch for me personally, but I just tried to stay positive and work hard,” he said. “To get a goal in a game like this is awesome. I’m just glad we got the two points.”
The Kraken added a third goal late in the period with a shorthanded goal from Calle Jarnkrok, who stole the puck from Mark Stone and scored on a breakaway. Jarnkrok, who also had an assist, said he was proud of the team’s performance.
“We played a solid game from start to finish. We didn’t give them much space or time. We were aggressive and disciplined,” he said. “We knew they were a good team, but we showed we can compete with anyone.”
Golden Knights suffer first loss in seven games
The Golden Knights, who had won six straight games before the Winter Classic, could not find a way to solve Daccord or the Kraken’s defense. They were shut out for the first time this season and for the first time in an outdoor game.
Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer said he was disappointed with his team’s effort and execution.
“We didn’t play well. We didn’t have enough urgency or intensity. We didn’t create enough chances or draw enough penalties. We didn’t do anything right,” he said. “We have to give credit to the Kraken. They played a great game. They were hungrier and sharper than us. They deserved to win.”
DeBoer said he hoped his team would learn from the loss and bounce back quickly.
“It’s a wake-up call for us. We can’t take anything for granted. We have to be ready to play every night, especially against a team like the Kraken, who are playing with a lot of confidence and energy,” he said. “We have to regroup and get back to our game.”
Kraken enjoy memorable experience at T-Mobile Park
The Winter Classic was the first outdoor game in Seattle and the first at T-Mobile Park, the home of the Seattle Mariners. The game featured a festive atmosphere, with fans wearing Kraken jerseys, hats, scarves, and face paint. The game also showcased the city of Seattle and its iconic landmarks, such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and The Seattle Great Wheel.
Kraken coach Dave Hakstol said he was impressed by the support and enthusiasm of the fans and the organization.
“It was an amazing experience. It was a privilege to be part of this event. It was a great showcase for our city, our fans, and our team,” he said. “I’m very proud of our players. They played with passion and pride. They gave our fans something to cheer about.”
Hakstol said he hoped the Winter Classic would be a catalyst for the Kraken’s season, as they aim to make the playoffs for the second time in their history.
“This is a big win for us. It gives us a lot of momentum and confidence. It shows what we’re capable of when we play our game,” he said. “We have to build on this and keep improving. We have a lot of work to do, but we have a lot of potential.”
