Looking back at the Kraken’s historic Winter Classic shutout

One of the things that made this game so special was its setting: T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners, with the roof rolled back to reveal a crisp, sunny winter day. To kick off the festivities, Seattle icon Sir Mix-a-Lot hyped up the crowd with “Jump On It” as the players made their way onto the ice. It felt more like a festival than a hockey game—further enhanced by the famous fishmongers from Pike Place Market tossing fish over the players, giving the event a uniquely Seattle flair.

As a new fan or a devoted Day 1 supporter, you could sense something different in the air right from the warmups. The Kraken were riding a four-game win streak, yet there was still caution among fans because the Golden Knights were a force to be reckoned with. Little did anyone know we were about to witness a goaltending clinic for the ages.

A goaltending gem

From the drop of the puck, goalie Joey Daccord looked like he was on a mission. Early in the first period, Eeli Tolvanen deflected a puck past Vegas goalie Logan Thompson to put Seattle on the board, but the real showstopper came a few minutes later. Jack Eichel, left all alone in front of the net, tried to slip one through Daccord’s five-hole. With cat-like reflexes, Daccord slammed the door, sending Eichel away shaking his head in disbelief.

The Golden Knights continued to test Daccord with shot after shot, but he refused to yield. Early in the second period, Will Borgen capitalized on a juicy rebound, sniping a shot past Thompson to give the Kraken a 2-0 lead. By then, the crowd of over 40,000 could sense something special was brewing.

When the third period started, Yanni Gourde stole the puck in Vegas’s defensive zone and powered in on a breakaway, burying a backhand that lit the stadium up like a fireworks display. As the score ticked to 3-0, fans started to believe they weren’t just witnessing a win—they were witnessing history. Like baseball fans refusing to mention a “no-hitter,” Kraken faithful dared not speak too loudly about the possibility of a Winter Classic shutout, yet everyone was thinking it.

Sealing the deal

As the clock wound down, Vegas scrambled, throwing everything they had at Joey Daccord. In the final two minutes, Eichel once again found daylight for a would-be highlight-reel shot. But Daccord flashed the leather, gloving it as if it were the easiest save in the world. The stadium erupted with “Joey, Joey, Joey” chants, and before long, the buzzer sounded: Kraken 3, Golden Knights 0.

The Winter Classic victory extended Seattle’s winning streak to five games—a streak that would eventually reach nine, setting a new franchise record. More importantly, it propelled Joey Daccord into the spotlight. Injuries had thrust him into the starting role, and after that game, he solidified himself as the future of Seattle’s goaltending.

One year later

Today, as we ring in 2025, the Kraken find themselves under a new head coach with several fresh faces on the roster. Though they aren’t taking part in this year’s Winter Classic, their 2024 appearance remains a high-water mark for a young franchise still carving out its identity in the NHL. For many fans, that game will forever be remembered as the day the Kraken truly announced themselves to the hockey world, with a hometown twist, a boisterous crowd, and a stellar shutout that no one in attendance will ever forget.

For those who were there—or watching from afar—it wasn’t just a shutout. It was a moment frozen in time, melding Seattle’s vibrant culture with the pure joy of hockey under the winter sun. A year later, we may have new leadership behind the bench and a few new names on the roster, but the heart and soul of the Kraken remain unchanged. And no matter where this journey leads, the memory of that 2024 Winter Classic shutout stands as a testament to what this team can accomplish—and what this city can celebrate together.