Daccord Has Stopped 171 Of Last 173 Shots Faced
Editor's Note: This is the third of a three-part series examining the unlikely rise of Seattle's newest sports hero.
Goalie Joey Daccord may end up saving more than pucks for the Seattle Kraken. He could end up saving the 2023-24 season.
Daccord is riding a personal 7-0-2 streak, at one point saving 87 consecutive shots. He's surrendered only 12 goals over those last nine games, and four of those were in an overtime loss at Dallas.
Daccord credits a team-wide commitment to defense. "We're sticking to our game plan. We're executing it well. Hard on pucks in the 'D' zone, getting pucks out as a unit. It's fun to see our guys play well and get rewarded for it."
Overall, the Kraken have followed an eight game losing streak by collecting 18 of a possible 20 points in their last 10 contests. That's allowed Seattle to climb back into a playoff race they were perilously close to abandoning.
The most recent triumph was Friday's 4-1 thumping of the Ottawa Senators. Seattle made 22 blocks in front of Daccord, including a half dozen by defenseman Jamie Oleksiak.
"For the most part, if they're making my life easy, it really makes a huge difference. I can't even count how many guys had big blocks tonight."
As for the ones which don't get blocked, "A goalie can impact the game here and there. It's hockey, right? There's going to be breakdowns, there's going to be chances both ways. The other team has great players, too. It's my job to be there and stop as many of them as I can."
Saves aren't the only highlight-reel plays in Daccord's repertoire. Twice while the Kraken were killing Ottawa power plays, he took matters into his own hands with rink-length clears. One was on his backhand, a play goalies rarely attempt.
"That was a pretty tough one. Backhand's way more difficult than forehand. As I was making that play, I was like, 'I hope this gets out (of the zone), because if not, I'm going to be in trouble.'"
Of course, it did get out, relieving pressure on the penalty killers and disrupting the Ottawa offense. Goalies who can master such moves are known approvingly as "third defensemen." Daccord explained, "I've worked on my stickhandling and puck skills a lot over the years. I was happy I got enough wood on it."
Plays like that help explain why "Jo-ee! Jo-ee!" chants are becoming routine inside Climate Pledge Arena. His saves are not only timely, they're acrobatic and athletic. Without intending to be cocky, his plays are often flashy.
Fans are eating it up, and make no mistake, Daccord definitely hears the cheers. "It's been insane. I'm just so grateful and humbled by the support we've gotten as a team."
Consider it a blossoming love affair. Daccord made a memory for a sellout crowd at T-Mobile Park on New Year's Day by shutting out the Vegas Golden Knights, and they made one for him.
"Probably one of the best days of my life, a cool experience I'll never forget. All my best friends, my closest family, we'll never forget 47,000 fans chanting my name. That's what you dream of as a little kid."
