Golden Knights Remember VGK Hulk Superfan With 3-0 Donut Win Over New Jersey Devils Before 18,290 Tuesday
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
LVSportsBiz.com photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
John “VGK Hulk” Baratta wasn’t around to rip his Hulk shirt when Golden Knights forward Max Pacioretty scored his 31st of the season to give the VGK a 1-0 lead 45 seconds into period two.
So, Baratta’s Hulk shirt-clad pals around the Big Ice House did the shirt tearing for him.
It was a bittersweet night for VGK fans, who mourned the death of Knights superfan Baratta who died Monday while also cheering the Golden Knights to a 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils before 18,290 fans Tuesday night.
William Karlsson added his 15th goal of the season a mere 37 seconds into period three. It was Karlsson’s 100th career goal.
And VGK goaltender Robin Lehner looked rock solid. pitching a shutout with 27 saves.
Lehner’s shutout meant a dozen free Krispy Kreme donuts to each fan in the arena under a VGK promotion deal with the North Carolina-based donut company.
Ryan Reaves chipped in with his eighth goal of the season midway through period three.
See our story on Baratta, which includes a VGK video of highlights of the superfan.
The Knights have 82 points but lead the Oilers by only a deuce.
VGK Coach Pete DeBoer postgame:
After 37 home dates, the Knights are averaging 18,310 a game, filling the arena to 105.4 percent of capacity.
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