By Alan Snel
LVSportsBiz.com
Security has been beefed up during this postseason at the SAP Center in San Jose where the Vegas Golden Knights play Game 7 Tuesday evening.
LVSportsBiz.com asked Sharks PR spokesman Scott Emmert about security issues Monday after several Golden Knights fans said Sharks fans were abusive toward them during Game 5 last week.
Emmert emailed, “The San Jose Sharks and SAP Center encourage enthusiasm but do not tolerate any behavior which makes others uncomfortable, including foul or abusive language, rowdy or inconsiderate behavior or any type of physical contact. Guests in violation of these policies are subject to ejection and possible arrest.”
LVSportsBiz Q1 — Did SAP Center security see fan conflicts and abuse issues after Game 5?
“One male patron was arrested by San Jose Police upon egress of the building following Game 5.”
Q2 — Did security have to break up any VGK-Sharks fan conflicts?
“The SAP Center Guest Services staff does not specifically catalog incidents based on fan affiliation but there have been a few instances where fans wearing opposite team jerseys were admonished by arena staff. It appears one of the largest contributors to conflict amongst fans are the different building policies in place that guests are accustomed to. SAP Center asks that for the enjoyment of all guests, fans do not stand or lean forward in their seats, to avoid blocking other spectators view on the ice. This difference in policies and their enforcement between the buildings has often served as an ignition point for fan interaction.”
Q3 — Is security doing anything different for Game 7 like more security or different strategies?
“To provide greater coverage during the playoffs, the number of San Jose Police Officers on duty at SAP Center has been increased three-fold. Additional personnel is on-duty patrolling the parking lots within SAP Center’s boundaries and the surrounding area. Additionally, the communication of the Text Assist program, which allows fans in the arena to text their location and advise of any situation that has made them feel uncomfortable, has been increased to multiple time before and during the game. We encourage fans to reach out immediately if they feel they are placed in an uncomfortable or threatening situation.”
Emmert said fans can text security to get help: “Text the word ASSIST + your message to 69050. Include in your message the issue, comment or concern with your seating section, row and seat. Guest Services will reply, monitor your situation and request additional information if needed.”
Earlier Monday
About a half-day after his Vegas Golden Knights could not polish off the San Jose Sharks in double overtime in Game 6 to clinch the first round series, VGK coach Gerard Gallant looked relaxed this morning when chatting with the media and even cracked a few jokes.
“It was a heartbreaker,” Gallant said. “But by the time I got home I was OK.”
The Knights-Sharks match-up is going to a winner-take-all Game 7 in San Jose Tuesday at 7 pm Vegas time. None of the VGK’s four postseason series in Season 1 went the distance when the Knights lost to Washington in the Cup Finals. The Golden Knights had a 3-1 lead in games in this series with San Jose, but the Sharks have rebounded to win Game 5 in San Jose and Game 6 at the Big Ice House by the Strip to force tomorrow night’s first ever Game 7 for the Golden Knights franchise.
The Sharks have earned a playoff reputation for not closing out postseason series leads through the years, but now San Jose is flipping that script and is on the verge of making a comeback against the second-year franchise that had a seemingly 3-1 stranglehold on the series.
But San Jose goalie Martin Jones, who was so shaky in losses to the Knights, has stepped up to wall off VGK shooters in the last two games. Jonathan Marchessault flipped home a backhand off a rebound for the Knights’ lone goal Sunday.
The Knights unleashed nearly 60 shots against Jones in nearly five periods of play yesterday, but registered only that single goal. Many of those VGK shots were not necessarily quality shots. But still, the Knights had a big territorial edge in the game and all the numbers weighed in Vegas’ favor except the final score.
It was a crushing defeat for the Knights. Yet, Gallant appeared relaxed when he met the media at the press conference room at City National Arena, the VGK training center and headquarters that include a team store and a pizza pub owned by Golden Knights owner Bill Foley.
Gallant said the team is “re-setting” for Game 7 tomorrow. The NHL’s coach-of-the-year from last season mentioned both teams have settled down the past two games after playing chippy hockey the first few games of the series.
“You re-set your team,” Gallant said.
The NHL sent over some fact nuggets on Game 7s.
ADDED: Also, here’s your Watch Party info for Tuesday via a VGK press release.
The Vegas Golden Knights will host a watch party for Game 7 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Toshiba Plaza, located outside T-Mobile Arena, on Tuesday, April 23.
The cost of admission is free, and fans are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket to watch the game on the large screens outside T-Mobile Arena. As a safety measure, coolers (hard or soft) and outside unopened beverages are not allowed onto Toshiba Plaza.
Those in attendance at the watch party will have the chance to win a variety of Vegas Golden Knights prizes. The first 500 people at the event will receive a battle towel. The event will also feature special appearances by Chance, the Golden Aces, Knight Line presented by playMGM, Knights Guard presented by The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and a Vegas Golden Knights in-arena host. Fans will have the chance to shop Golden Knights gear from retail trucks on-site.
The game starts at 7 p.m. PT, and Toshiba Plaza will open at 5 p.m. Parking options will be available at New York-New York Hotel & Casino for $15.
If fans can’t make it to Toshiba Plaza, they are encouraged to stop by Henderson Pavilion (200 S. Green Valley Pkwy, Henderson NV) to watch the game.
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