Joey Daccord has been one of the hottest goalies in the NHL for the month of December, moving up to 7th in the league with an overall goals against average of 2.46.
With franchise “number-one” Philipp Grubauer remaining unavailable for a little bit longer with a lower body injury, Daccord gets to step on to the big stage at T-Mobile Park for the NHL Winter Classic against the Vegas Golden Knights.
“Probably the biggest regular season game I’ll ever play, and I’m pretty excited about it,” Daccord said after outdoor practice on Sunday.
Regardless of Grubauer’s health, Daccord deserves the start. He’s carried the club, with the exception of one start and victory for current back-up Chris Driedger, through the Kraken’s current eight-game point streak.
His play instills confidence in his teammates, setting the tone early in games, and often. The match against the Flyers on Friday night was the perfect example. Daccord made two huge stops early to keep the game scoreless, including stoning Joel Farabee on a breakaway. It set the stage for the Kraken’s later heroics, winning in overtime 2-1.
Kraken Family
Winter Classics come with perks and distractions. The two combined on Sunday as the clubs welcomed in family and friends from all over the country and world for team practices and private skates.
Daccord had his parents, his brother, his girlfriend and her parents, on and around the ice for the family skate, He had more pals flying in from Massachusetts later in the day.
“It was amazing, just to get to share that experience with them, they were just taking it all in, I was taking it all in, I think we maxed out our I-phone storage on pictures,” Daccord said. “It was a lot of fun and memories for life, for sure.”
He’ll try to make more unforgettable memories on Monday against the Golden Knights. Logan Thompson starts for Vegas.
— Kraken Send D-man Ryker Evans To The American League
