Another Big Preseason Game Crowd — 18,103 — For VGK 3-2 Loss To LA Friday; Preseason Game Attendance Record For Knights
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
The kings of sport in Las Vegas are the Knights, with the three-year-old Vegas Golden Knights continuing to pack T-Mobile Arena for exhibitions this preseason.
The first two home games this preseason had announced attendances of 17,767 and 17,954 — not too shabby when the team says the capacity for the Big Ice House by the Strip is 17,367. And Friday’s attendance of 18,103 was a VGK preseason game record.
Tonight, when VGK goalie Marc-Andre Fleury’s name was announced for the VGK starting lineup by arena PA man Bruce Cusick, the roar was deafening, ridiculously loud for what coach Gerard Gallant refers to as an exhibition game.
The actual team of Kings, the club from downtown Los Angeles, got off to a quick start against the Knights with a 2-0 lead after one period. Kings’ goalie Jonathan Quick looked sharp after two periods, blocking all 32 shots on goal by the Knights. The Kings lead, 2-0, after two periods.
The Golden Knights continued their strong play in the third period with goals by Paul Stastny and Brayden McNabb to tie the score at two. LA scored to crack the tie and come away with a 3-2 win over the Knights.
There was a big uptick in intensity during Friday’s game compared to Wednesday’s VGK-Avs preseason contest that resembled more of a scrimmage. The Knights ran out their top lines and defensive pairings, along with Fleury tonight.
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Some sportsbiz notes:
The Golden Knights have been pushing owner Bill Foley’s Rock Creek Cattle Company in Montana in jumbotron promos during the first intermission. VGK also was peddling luxury suites and flight deck tickets, too, during the first break.
The Knights have ended the 15-second video clips of fans at the arena that VGK fans have enjoyed downloading and posting on their social media platforms during seasons one and two.
It’s Sharks time after tonight’s game. The Knights play the Sharks Sunday in Las Vegas in the final preseason game. Then, VGK hosts the season-opener Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena against the Sharks. And then the Knights travel to San Jose to play the Sharks Friday in the regular season’s second game.
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