On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Golden Knights Come Back, Score Four Consecutive Goals To Defeat Arizona, 4-2, In Las Vegas Monday
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
There was no day that showed the difference between NBA and NHL players more than on Jan, 6, when pro-Trump marauders overran the U.S. Capitol.
Black NBA players were outraged, with several telling ESPN that the rioters’ invasion of the Capitol showed there were two Americas.
NHL players, who are mostly white including many from other nations, did not offer much public comments about a day that led to the impeachment of President Donald Trump, accused of inciting a violent takeover of the halls of democracy that ended with five people dead including a police officer.
Twelve days later, that contrast is worth explaining because today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day as the Vegas Golden Knights take on the Arizona Coyotes in the first of two games at T-Mobile Arena and then another two games in Arizona. The Knights rallied to win, 4-2, with three third period goals tonight.
The NHL today is recognizing the importance of MLK Day by honoring Willie O’Ree, the first Black player in an NHL game on this date in 1958.
During the last summer of Black Lives Matter protests, the NHL players took action after WNBA and NBA players said they would not play in the aftermath of the Jacob Blake police shooting in Wisconsin last August. The Vegas Golden Knights and other teams in the bubbles did not play for two days after the NHL and NHLPA released a joint statement that said, in part:
After much discussion, NHL Players believe that the best course of action would be to take a step back and not play tonight’s and tomorrow’s games as scheduled. The NHL supports the Players’ decision and will reschedule those four games beginning Saturday and adjust the remainder of the Second Round schedule accordingly.
Black and Brown communities continue to face real, painful experiences. The NHL and NHLPA recognize that much work remains to be done before we can play an appropriate role in a discussion centered on diversity, inclusion and social justice.
We understand that the tragedies involving Jacob Blake, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others require us to recognize this moment. We pledge to work to use our sport to influence positive change in society.
The Knights have several American-born players — forwards Max Pacioretty and Alex Tuch and defenseman Alec Martinez. After NBA coaches spoke out about the violent takeover of the U.S. Capitol, we asked VGK coach Pete DeBoer last week about his thoughts of the topic and he said he would rather not answer that question.
In late August when the players said they would not play, the Golden Knights released this statement, which is relevant in light of today’s holiday.
Player helmets tonight had a sticker showing a picture of O’Ree and the message, “Celebrating Equality.”
It was hardly a work of art, but the Golden Knights took the first of four consecutive games with the Arizona Coyotes, 4-2, after trailing 2-0 in the second period.
Max Pacioretty, with the help of the end boards, scored the Golden Knights’ first goal to cut the Arizona advantage in half to 2-1 in the second period.
Reilly Smith, off a gorgeous no-look, behind-the-back pass from William Karlsson, tied the game at two early in the third period.
And then defenseman Zach Whitecloud fired a shot that bounced off the back of Chandler Stephenson and the Knights led, 3-2, midway through the final stanza.
With Jonathan Marchessault in the box with a slashing penalty, Arizona had a 6-on-4 advantage with a minute left in period three, but the Coyotes could not tie the score.
Smith fired a rink-long shot into an empty Coyotes net and the VGK sealed a 4-2 win over Arizona.
After one period of play, Arizona led, 1-0, thanks to a shorthanded goal. It was a choppy period for the VGK, which was outshot, 12-8, by Arizona.
Arizona took a 2-1 lead into the locker room after the second period. The Knights’ Pacioretty scored on a double bank shot, putting in his own rebound off the end boards with Stephenson and Shea Theodore notching the assists.
The Knights have now won three straight games to open the 56-game shortened pandemic season. The VGK defeated Anaheim, 5-2, after the score was tied at two after two periods in Game 1; beat the Ducks, 2-1, in OT after tying the game with less than 90 seconds left in regulation in Game 2; and rallied to beat Arizona tonight.
The Knights host Arizona again Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena. The VGK play the Coyotes in Arizona Friday and Sunday.
