SEATTLE, WA – It was 36.1 degrees at puck drop, 47,313 fans in the house to achieve sell-out status with the roof wide open for outdoor hockey. Not much could have gone better for the home Seattle Kraken at T-Mobile Park in their battle against the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2024 Winter Classic.
In the first ever shutout result in a Winter Classic and only the fourth goose egg ever hatched at an NHL outdoor game, the Seattle Kraken defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 on the strength of a 35-save performance from Joey Daccord and a two-point game from Eeli Tolvanen. The hosts were not kind to their guests. The Kraken netted a goal early in each period to gain a 3-0 victory.
The last shutout in an outdoor game took place on December 16, 2017 when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Ottawa Senators in the NHL 100 Classic at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa, 16 outdoor battles ago.
Kraken goalie Joey Daccord gloves a shot by Chandler Stephenson (20) – Photo by Jack Lima
But it was before the game and the essence of the experience which makes the outdoor games so special. Essential, the game itself wasn’t something to get excited about in terms of lead changes or quality of play. It is often the experience, something the outdoor games carry, as a leading theme in staging these events.
The Ken Griffey Jr statue welcomes hockey fans to the 2024 Winter Classic at T-Mobile Park – Photo by Jack Lima
That experience had been building for nearly a year and gained steam on Saturday when events leading up to the big game began to take priority.
The pageantry and atmospheric build-up was front and center in downtown Seattle. The NHL’s Fan Village, allowing visitors to enter a free fan experience which included getting a picture taken with the Stanley Cup, among many other things to do, were lining up at 8 AM Monday morning, an hour before the complex opened and two hours prior to when the gates at T-Mobile park were to open. Puck drop was scheduled for noon.
Fans in droves, from not just Seattle and Las Vegas, but through jerseys worn by visitors from Philadelphia, St. Louis, Minnesota, Chicago, Los Angeles were represented among many others who came from far and wide.
Just before 9 AM, the Kraken arrived in style, dressed as fishmongers, notable as a show readily on display at Pike Place Market. Dressed in suspendered, orange aprons with large artificial fish in hand as they entered the building to the appreciation of fans which lined the path four to five people deep. Not long after their arrival, the Golden Knights arrived, all dressed as Elvis impersonators, truly Vegas and the choice of many in my vicinity as to what they would arrive wearing.
Once the gates opened at 10 AM, fans flocked to any entrance they could find, anxious to get a glimpse of the finished stage which would serve to display the 16th edition of the Winter Classic and 38th NHL outdoor game since 1993 when Edmonton hosted Calgary more than 30 years ago in the Heritage Classic.
Flyover by two Seahawk aircraft from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Search and Rescue Unit – Photo by Jack Lima
Youth players enjoyed the auxiliary rink in short left center field, the shipwreck stage in center field for where Heart would later perform, several docks and piers leading from the dugouts to the main rink and serving as platforms for the teams to enter the fight, and, as a center piece, in the batter’s eye of T-Mobile Park, the watchful and menacing red eye and extending tentacles through the outfield area of the Kraken, all of which left spectators in awe.
Sir Mix-A-Lot played a role to start things with the introductions and eventually surrendered the stage to an American anthem guitar solo by 14-year old Nikhil Bagga, sending the crowd into a frenzy with his magnificent rips on the axe. This is worth seeking on YouTube, a magnificent performance.
Sir Mix-A-Lot performs during pregame – Photo by Jack Lima
The Flag party was presented by Navy Federal Credit Union, comprised of Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps service members from Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The University of Washington ROTC presented the colors. The opening ceremony concluded with a flyover featuring of two MH-60S Seahawk aircrafts from the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Search and Rescue unit.
With that, teams departed their respective dressing rooms across their respective pier and dock system, stopping right at the end of the rink door and extending all the way at the opposite end, closest to their dugout. While Vegas advance across the pier to little fanfare, perhaps due to their ‘-visitor’ status, the Kraken emerged to the activity of fishmongers, tossing fish between and above players as they filled out their pier toward the ice. It wasn’t as hokey as it might seem, though. In fact, it was a nice touch, something reminiscent of the pig races in the corn at the Cotton Bowl where the 2020 Winter Classic between Nashville and host Dallas battled.
2024 Discover NHL Winter Classic, Opening face-off – Photo by Jack Lima
With all of the pomp and circumstance, processed, it was time to play the game.
Golden Knight defenseman Nicolas Hague (14) looks to pass the puck as Brain Dumoulin (8) defends – Photo by Jack Lima
From the opening puck drop, a majestic roar rose up from the capacity crowd and Seattle sought to get an edge early, fueled by the reception, seeking an aggressive burst into the Vegas zone.
Golden Knight goalie Logan Thompson (36) stops a shot by Jamie Oleksiak (24) as defenseman Nicolas Hague (14) controls the rebound – Photo by Jack Lima
More than a minute in, Seattle tested Logan Thompson, who punted his right leg out to send the puck into the corner. It was on that drive the on-ice noise easily captured the gnashing of skates on the ice, the smashing of athletes into the boards and each other, the clashing of sticks seeking possession of the frozen biscuit.
Kraken forward Brandon Tanev and Golden Knight Jonathan Marchessault (81) battle for the puck after a face-off – Photo by Jack Lima
As play continued, the Kraken had a chance with an advancing, odd-man attack less than three minutes into the game, but shot wide, missing a golden opportunity. Still, Seattle seemed to put Vegas on their heels, the start they sought. The Golden Knights began to mount some pressure, but Seattle kept was able to keep them at bay.
Then just five minutes into the game, the Kraken broke through.
Kraken goalie Joey Daccord covers the puck as Golden Knights Zach Whitecloud (2) and Jonathan Marchessault (81) look for a rebound as Jordan Eberle (7) and Adam Larsson (6) provide support – Photo by Jack Lima
Seattle Adam Larsson collected the puck at the right point and then found his defense partner, Vince Dunn, with a pass at the right point. The Kraken’s leading scorer with 30 points coming into this game, sent a drive toward the net. A waiting Kraken player, Eeli Tolvanen, was square in front of Vegas goaltender Logan Thompson, causing him to be blind to the shot like Feliciano.
Yanni Gourde (37) skates the puck up ice in front of Golden Knights Michael Amadio (22) and William Karlsson (71) – Photo by Jack Lima
Tolvanen cleverly positioned his stick to deflect the puck past Thompson for his 10th goal of the season. It sent Seattle into the lead, causing the home crowd to erupt in euphoria in getting the early lead on the NHL’s 5th best team. Vegas is just two points back of the league-leading Rangers.
The stadium system blared Nirvana’s Lithium in celebration of the Kraken taking the lead.
Paul Cotter (37) attempts to move past Matty Beniers (10) – Photo by Jack Lima
Seattle seemed to get some jump from potting the game’s opening goal, getting periodic chances inside the Vegas zone and limiting the Golden Knights chances when they penetrated their own zone.
With just more than three minutes to play in the opening frame, Vegas had its best chances when Chandler Stephenson skated down the left side in front of the benches, leading a two on one with Jonathan Marchessault, but it was broken up by the stick of Will Borgen who would contribute and find himself on the scoresheet later.
Tomas Tatar (90) attempts to move past Golden Knight defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) – Photo by Jack Lima
Not long after this play, Daccord stopped Jack Eichel with two minutes left in the period, point blank with a left pad save, who nearly tied the game in what would have made a big difference at that stage of the game.
Soon after, Seattle took a turn at putting the puck in the net when Brandon Tanev broke in on left win and shot on Thompson, his save of which put the puck over the glass behind him.
Will Borgan (3) fires a shot past Golden Knight goalie Logan Thompson for the Kraken’s second goal – Photo by Jack Lima
Then with just 45 seconds to play, Thompson misplayed a feeble attempt, losing the puck in his skates before it squirted to the left of the far post and out of harm. It was a sign of how Vegas would play the remainder of the game.
While Vegas held the edge in shots 11-10, Seattle held the lead in hits 11-5 and in the all-important measure in game score, 1-0.
As both teams sought the solace of shore via the piers connecting their locker rooms to the playing surface, attention turned to the Shipwreck Stage in center field where Seattle-native Heart performed “Barracuda” and “Magic Man” before the second period commenced. The band played Climate Pledge Arena last night.
When the period began, Seattle quickly showed they had more to offer the home crowd when just 2:19 into the frame, Brayden McNabb claimed his first goal of the season when he laid into a shot from the right point, blasting it toward Thompson whose blocker sought to stop the drive, but could only deflect it into the net.
The play originated when Eeli Tolvanen sent a pass to the right point where Tye Kartye sent a hard drive toward the Vegas net. Thompson had trouble controlling the heavy drive, kicking it out to the opposite side of the goal. That’s when Borgen made no mistake with his first goal of the season.
Kraken defenseman Will Borgen’s stick flexes as he shoots the puck up ice – Photo by Jack Lima
Shortly after taking the 2-0 lead, Seattle Matty Beniers found himself in all alone when a pass came his way, but Thompson was there for the save.
Late in the period with just more than three minutes remaining, Larsson was called for Interference against Vegas’ Chandler Stephenson, sending the visitors on the power play. The Golden Knights could only muster one shot and there were no further threats as the second period came to a close.
Golden Knight defenseman Nicolas Hague (14) looks to pass the puck as Brain Dumoulin (8) defends – Photo by Jack Lima
Seattle took over the lead in shots 21-20 in shots, 23-14 in hits, and the all-important lead, extended by a goal this period and now reaching 2-0.
Tomas Tatar (90) looks to pass the puck as Alex Pietrangelo (7) dives to block the passing lane – Photo by Jack Lima
At intermission, Seattle sport legends were honored on the Kraken dock. They included Seahawks greats Marshawn Lynch and Sikma, among them. As the ceremony wore on, attention was given to the ice where two Zamboni units had to come out a second time along with a limited walking crew to repair some of the areas which had grown slushy. Not long after they exited the ice, play in the third period began.
The final regulation frame began with Vegas looking to make their mark, attempt to salvage what had been an uneventful outing to this point, but instead, a misplay in their own zone led to Seattle extending their lead.
Kraken winger Eeli Tolvanen (20) opens the scoring with a first period goal past goalie Logan Thompson – Photo by Jack Lima
Vegas’ Paul Cotter accepted the puck just inside his blue line, but somehow, had trouble securing it on his blade. Seattle’s relentless Yanni Gourde pursued the loose puck and found himself in on Thompson. After an initial drive was saved, the rebound came right back to Gourde who fired it past the Vegas goaltender to extend the lead to 3-0. The unassisted goal was his 5th of the season.
Kraken goalie Joey Daccord makes a blocker save on a shot by Chandler Stephenson (20) – Photo by Jack Lima
Vegas valiantly tried to get into the game, but with each promising chance, Daccord had an answer.
Kraken goalie Joey Daccord makes a glove save on an point blank shot by Jack Eichel (9) late in the third period – Photo by Jack Lima
With just under eight minutes left in regulation, Vegas’ Brayden McNabb tripped Seattle’s Jordan Eberle while on a break down the win, right in front of the Kraken bench. Seattle would seek to extend their lead, but Vegas kept the Kraken at bay, allowing just one shot on the man advantage.
In a last gasp effort to get on the scoreboard, Vegas pulled their goaltender with three minutes left in the game, something Daccord took note of and confirmed in the post-game interviews, his awareness that it presented a goal-scoring opportunity. At a moment during the empty-net situation, he said post-game that the puck flipped awkwardly right has he was going to play it up ice for an attempt at scoring and that was the only thing keeping him for vying for a shot on goal.
To round out the game, a frustration penalty by Vegas’ Alex Pietrangelo with just six seconds remaining was the only other mark on the scoresheet in the third period.
Kraken players salute the crowd after their 3-0 win over the Golden Knights – Photo by Jack Lima
The only other awkward moment occurred as the buzzer sounded, indicating the game was over. Typically in outdoor games, both team line-up for the post-game handshake. Instead, the Golden Knights could not have exited the ice surface quicker, heading to the pier leading to their dressing room, but the shorted path and not the one they entered the rink from during introductions. It was awkward in that it seemed to go off script.
Kraken goalie Joey Daccord celebrates his shutout win with Justin Schultz (4) – Photo by Jack Lima
Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said in his post-game press conference that he was simply unaware, his answer coming after he was directly asked the question as to why the exited so quickly and did not remain for the gentlemanly gesture at post-game.
Dennis Morrell has developed a deeply rooted passion for our game over many decades as a goaltender, writer, photographer, goalie coach, and active Level 3 USA Hockey-certified, on-ice official with over 2,000 games with the whistle. His passion for the game began in the early 70s upon his first glance at players battling for the puck at Clayton’s Shaw Park.
And yes, the ice is perfect.
He has been fortunate to journalistically cover 2 NHL Entry Drafts, 5 NHL All-Star Games, 8 NHL Outdoor Games in two countries and 21 games played in the context of 9 Stanley Cup Final games, witnessing the oldest trophy in sports lifted by the champion 3 times, including when his beloved hometown team, the St. Louis Blues, won their first chalice in 2019.
He has witnessed over 1,000 major and minor professional games in over 250 different arenas. He can be reached at dennis.morrell@prohockeynews.com and you can follow him on Twitter at DMMORRELL.
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