(Publisher’s Note: LVSportsBiz.com is updating our website throughout the night and cycling photographer Daniel Clark’s photos through the site as the Knights-Capitals game moves along. The NHL has granted special permission to our photographer to roam T-Mobile Arena during the game to get the best off-ice photos.)
By ALAN SNEL
LVSportsBiz.com
The Vegas Golden Knights’ remarkable postseason run continued its merry way into the Stanley Cup Finals Monday with a 6-4 win over the Washington Capitals.
Attendance hit 18,575 inside T-Mobile Arena, while the economic gusher known as the Golden Knights’ ticket, merchandise and food/beverage sales continue to soar above regular season levels.
The Knights enlisted Lil Jon for pregame music before the game on the plaza outside the arena, while Michael “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble” Buffer handled the starting lineup introductions.
The Golden Knights’ pregame intro show went for seven minutes and 36 seconds as the team’s theatrical knight character did his Vegas thing and whipped an eagle, the Capitals’ jersey symbol.
*
The National Hockey League had eyed Las Vegas as a potential expansion team market for more than a decade and Commissioner Gary Bettman said the Vegas market has done well because of T-Mobile Arena, ownership led by Bill Foley and the fans’ support.
Bettman, along with Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, chatted with reporters Monday two hours before the Vegas Golden Knights hosted the Washington Capitals in the Stanley Cup Finals Game 1 at T-Mobile Arena.
Daly said the NHL was not “scared of the prospect” of launching a team in a market with legalized gambling.
And Daily also disclosed the league had been looking at Las Vegas even before the 2008 economic downturn.
*
*
Ricardo Bonvicin paid $500 for a Golden Knights jersey, with an incredible two-line name on the back of the jersey — “Welcome to Impossible.”
Bonvicin, a retired North Las Vegas police lieutenant, said he has never rooted for a team since he moved to the Vegas area from Spain in 1971.
“I never followed a team until this team,” Bonvicin said.
As for his long, two-line name on the back of the jersey, Bonvicin said, “I asked, ‘Can you make it happen.’ ”
*
*
Balloon maker Jeremy Johnston is on Marc-Andre Fleury fabrication duty today.
*
Check out the T-Mobile Arena towel and poster tonight.
*
The crowd shots are courtesy of Daniel Clark.
*
Follow LVSportsBiz.com on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Contact LVSportsBiz.com founder/writer Alan Snel at asnel@LVSportsBiz.com