47,313 At T-Mobile Park See Kraken Dominate Golden Knights 3-0 In 2024 Winter Classic

Eeli Tolvanen Goal, Assist; Joey Daccord 35-Save Shutout

None of the immortals in Seattle's century-plus hockey history could have imagined it.

Not Frank Foyston, captain of the 1917 Stanley Cup champion Metropolitans. Not Guyle Fielder, passing wizard for the Americans and Totems from 1956-69. Not Glen Goodall, whose number 10 was retired in 1990 by the Thunderbirds.

Yet, here is Seattle, hosting the National Hockey League's premiere in-season event.

Under a crisp, dry New Year's Day sky, 47,313 fans crammed into the home of the Mariners, T-Mobile Park, to watch the hometown Seattle Kraken do battle with the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights in the 2024 Winter Classic.

Behind a goal and assist from Eeli Tolvanen, and the latest gem from goalie Joey Daccord, the Kraken scored in each period to top the Golden Knights 3-0.

Seattle's points streak grows to nine consecutive games (7-0-2), the longest in franchise history.

Well, we know the boards and glass are securely built. Vegas' Alec Martinez with a heavy hit on Yanni Gourde; moments later, Seattle's Brandon Tanev rocks Zach Whitecloud.

Seattle scores first at 4:50. Defenseman Vince Dunn shoots from long range. Standing just outside the crease, Eeli Tolvanen shows the unworldly hand-eye coordination NHL players possess.

Dunn registers his team-leading 31st point, 6th among NHL blueliners. Adam Larsson also earns an assist on Tolvanen's 10th.

Midway through the period, heavy Kraken pressure has Vegas on its heels. Is this really the league's #29 offense (2.65 goals per game)?

Not just for one shift, either; the Golden Knights are forced to block four Kraken shot attempts in an 11-second span. Vegas blocked 11 shots before the period was 2/3 over; impressive, until you consider how little they had possession.

Kraken goalie Joey Daccord shows off his athleticism, flopping on his belly to foil Chandler Stephenson's wrist shot from in close.

Grade-A chances at both ends. Seattle turns the puck over, gifting Jack Eichel (16 goals this season) an unobstructed lane to the goal. Unobstructed except for Daccord, who, like he's done repeatedly during Seattle's points streak, outwaits Eichel and makes the save.

At the other end, Vegas goalie Logan Thompson stops Tanev on a Kraken 2-on-1.

Kraken defenseman Will Borgen still doesn't have an indoor goal this season. He does have one outdoors, as of 2:19. Thompson gets a piece of his blast, but not enough to keep Seattle from a 2-0 lead.

Tolvanen's assist gives him a two-point game, with Tye Kartye earning the other apple.

Seattle has a great chance to make it 3-0. Jordan Eberle, somehow unmarked in front, shifts the puck from backhand to forehand, but can't fool Thompson. Back on the bench, Eberle, mouth agape, looks skyward in disbelief.

Meanwhile, let's check in on Joey Daccord, shall we?

The first power play of the game belongs to the visitors, when Adam Larsson goes off for interference at 16:39. The Kraken kill it, making 31-of-34 successful PKs over the last 10+ games.

Shots on goal were 10-10 in the 1st, 11-10 Seattle in the 2nd.

Dreaded two goal lead? No problem, says Yanni Gourde. He strips the puck from Paul Cotter, breaks in alone, and pokes his own rebound past Thompson to increase the Kraken cushion to 3-0 at 2:20.

For the record, this intermission interview with Cotter didn't age especially well.

With 2:12 left and Vegas skating 6-on-5 with their goalie pulled, Daccord stones Eichel one more time to preserve his shutout. Chants of "Jo-ee, Jo-ee" erupt around T-Mobile Park as the Kraken put a bow on a Winter Classic victory, and just their second win ever over Vegas.