Golden Knights Jump Out To 4-0 Lead on Winnipeg, Grind Out 5-2 Win Before 17,777 At T-Mobile Arena Thursday
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Story by Alan Snel Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
Just the facts: Vegas Golden Knights 5 Winnipeg Jets 2
Golden Knights goal scorers: Jack Eichel, William Karlsson, Chandler Stephenson, Eichel in first period; Jonathan Marchessault empty-netter in third period
Attendance: 17,777
VGK record: 4-1
Next game: VGK vs Colorado at T-Mobile Arena Saturday 7PM
Quote: Eichel on his two goals
The Golden Knights jumped out to a 4-0 lead after one period, with center Jack Eichel displaying the sharpshooting scoring that was expected when he was acquired last year in VGK’s blockbuster trade with Buffalo.
He fired a bullet of a shot into the upper right corner of the net to open the night’s scoring.
VGK forward Michael Amadio did some nice work behind the Winnipeg goal and fed William Karlsson, who slipped the puck past the Jets’ David Rittich.
Chandler Stephenson followed with his first goal of the season for a 3-0 lead.
And Eichel received a gift from Rittich when the Winnipeg netminder attempted a short pass in front of his net. Eichel intercepted and twirled around, firing a blur of a shot past the startled Rittich and VGK had a beefy 4-0 lead after one period.
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Golden Knights fans enjoyed seeing former popular VGK defenseman Nate Schmidt skating on the blue line for the Jets. Schmidt was on the ice for 7:35 in the first 20 minutes, seeing more ice time than any other Jets player.
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Winnipeg hit two posts that could easily been goals. But VGK goalie Adin Hill was the beneficiary of the puck-on-post shots and was credited with seven saves in the first period.
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The Knights hyped the new retro jersey that was revealed today. There were a lot jersey mentions during the game with videos and arena host mentions.
Las Vegas Aces Finals MVP Chelsea Gray sounded the siren to start the third period.
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Winnipeg scored thanks to a goal by Pierre-Luc Dobois and the Jets trailed, 4-1.
It wasn’t the VGK’s best period of hockey as the Golden Knights took a 4-1 lead into the third period.
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The Golden Knights defense played solid throughout most of the game, limiting Winnipeg to a third period goal by Neal Pionk.
It was not a spectacular performance by the Golden Knights. More of a workmanlike win, with Eichel and others taking advantage of their chances and cashing in. Jonathan Marchessault salted away the win with an empty-netter.
Here’s Hill on the VGK win.
