Goalie Joey Daccord’s Stellar Performance Fuels Kraken’s OT Victory
In an exciting matchup at Climate Pledge Arena, the Seattle Kraken secured a thrilling overtime victory against the Vegas Golden Knights, winning 2-1. Jared McCann scored with just 3.8 seconds remaining, marking his 400th NHL point and clinching the game. His performance earned him the first star of the night.
Matty Beniers, who assisted on McCann’s goal and had previously scored a power play goal, was recognized as the second star. Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord, despite his impressive play that kept the team in the game, received the third star.
Joey Daccord’s Stellar Performance
Goalie Joey Daccord played a crucial role in the Kraken’s success. He stopped 23 of 24 shots during regulation and added three more saves in overtime. Many of those shots were high-quality chances from a formidable Vegas offense that had scored nine goals in their earlier games.
Daccord’s performance included a remarkable statistic—he prevented 1.42 goals above expected against the Golden Knights, following a previous game where he saved 1.75 goals above expected against the Anaheim Ducks. This stellar play positioned him as one of the leading goalies in the league.
Key Statistics and Achievements
- Goals Against Average: 0.96
- Save Percentage: .968
- Saves Made: 109 out of 113 shots on goal (including preseason)
Daccord’s execution has come despite the Kraken being perceived as a weaker team defensively. His ability to stop grade-A chances has led to significant praise, suggesting a potential re-evaluation of the team’s capabilities.
Final Moments of the Game
The final moments of overtime were marked by intensity. Beniers won a face-off with a 59% success rate and quickly directed the play. After receiving a return pass from Vince Dunn, he took a shot that was difficult for Vegas goalie Adin Hill to manage. McCann, positioned strategically, took advantage, scoring the game-winner despite being under pressure from defenders.
After the game, McCann expressed the importance of this victory for team morale, stating, “To win against them is huge for our confidence.” Addressing the low-scoring nature of the game, he acknowledged, “It’s kind of boring hockey… but that’s how you’ve got to win games.”
The Kraken’s victory marks the first time in franchise history that they started the season with a two-game winning streak. This performance is a promising sign for fans and players alike as they look to build on this success in upcoming games.
