Kraken's Yanni Gourde & Daughter Emma Steal The Show
Since getting there is half the fun, it's okay that we already know the Seattle Kraken safely reached their Winter Classic destination.
That destination was T-Mobile Park on New Year's Day. Once there, the Kraken thrilled a sellout crowd and made a statement to the NHL by throttling the Vegas Golden Knights, 3-0.
The fourth and final episode of TNT's "Road To The Winter Classic" returned us to one game earlier, the Dec. 29 Kraken home victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Specifically, game day with Seattle alternate captain Yanni Gourde.
At Yanni Gourde's home, a trio of oversized black balloons - 5, 0, and 0 - commemorate the Kraken center's recent 500th NHL game. His young daughter is excited, but not about that. Emma Gourde is excited she'll get to see team mascot Buoy at that night's Kraken home game against the Flyers - and about going to McDonald's after it's over.
As Dad drives to the rink, he admits, "I never thought I was gonna make it to the NHL" - let alone last 500+ games, winning two Stanley Cups with Tampa Bay along the way.
In the dressing room, Gourde reminds teammates of the Kraken's recent winning formula. "Finish your checks everywhere," he says. "Get on the forecheck, baby. Simple and hard, baby. Simple and hard."
As the team heads onto the ice, Gourde saves a special encouragement for Andre Burakovsky, about to play his first game following a second lengthy injury. "Let's go, Burky. Have fun out there, Brosky."
It turns out Yanni's daughter will have more to enjoy tonight than a happy meal; in warmups, Dad fits a puck through the photographer's glass to her waiting hands. In the stands, wife Marie-Andree Gourde asks Emma what her daddy's number is. "37" she answers without hesitation. "Good job," says mom.
Down 1-0 to Philadelphia, Gourde makes his voice heard on the bench. "Let's get some emotion in this game, boys." After Vince Dunn's 3rd period goal sends the contest to overtime, Gourde continues sending positive vibes. "Good job, good job, D. A great shift, you three," he tells teammates coming off the ice.
Daddy's soon back out there, sending a cross-ice pass to Oliver Bjorkstrand. When Justin Schultz re-directs Bjorkstrand's pass home, Gourde has a game-winning assist in a 2-1 Kraken victory.
Gourde is nattily-attired leaving the arena, back in his three-piece suit, not a hair out of place. You'd never guess this guy who looks like a stockbroker just skated several miles, most of it under duress.
Seeing her father, Emma squeals as she leaps into Gourde's arms. "You got another one?" Dad says, as Emma clutches a new Buoy doll. "She loves seeing Buoy. I'm glad she's here tonight."
