Happy Nevada Day (Observed): Golden Knights Celebrate State Admission To Union With 4-0 Whitewash Of Anaheim Ducks Friday Afternoon
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Story by Alan Snel Photos by Arnie Bazemore
At 10:38 AM today, I received a text from a Vegas Golden Knights ticket-selling vendor who suggested I “spend Nevada Day at the Fortress!”
For “just $119,” I could “enjoy unlimited food, beer, wine and more” at the Allegiant Flight Deck at T-Mobile Arena for today’s VGK vs Anaheim game.
And with today’s Nevada Day game and kids out of school for the holiday that observes Nevada’s Oct. 31, 1864 admission to the union, the text noted the $119 ticket was “perfect for all ages, not just adults!”
Selling tickets has not been a big hardship for the Vegas Golden Knights this new 2022-23 season. VGK management considers full-seat capacity at 17,367, so with average game attendance at 18,110 the Knights are leading the NHL in attendance capacity percentage at more than 103 percent. The Knights announced attendance was below their lofty average as the team said attendance was 18,036 for the Nevada Day game.
It’s not cheap to watch the 7-2-0 Golden Knights in person. The average Golden Knights home ticket is $124.09 — the fourth most expensive average ticket in the 32-team NHL, according to Team Marketing Report, which tracks the costs of attending major league sports games.
When you walk the main and upper concourses, it’s hard not to see the lack of diversity in the fans who attend VGK games. The NHL knows this is a problem because the league is aware that it’s hard to grow the product when you rely on a singular demo group.
Here’s the NHL report on the matter.
The fans enjoyed watching the Golden Knights’ seventh win in nine games Friday.
Chandler Stephenson scored his fourth goal of the season on a power play in period one and the Misfits Connection of William Karlsson and Reilly Smith lit the red lamp for a shorty when Wild Bill fed Smith for Smith’s 100th goal as a VGKer.
A few minutes later, the Misfits Line struck again when Karlsson tipped a shot by linemate Jonathan Marchessault past Ducks goalie John Gibson for his fourth of the season.
The Knights enjoyed a 3-0 lead in period two.
Then Nic Roy piled on, scoring on a breakaway to give the VGK a 4-0 lead heading into the third period.
Goaltender Logan Thompson polished off the shutout, knocking down all 29 shots on goal for his second shutout of the season. Anaheim looked weak offensively, while the Knights’ defense had another strong game.
The Knights play Winnipeg Sunday at T-Mobile Arena at 5 PM.
