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Story by Alan Snel Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — After a sleepy first period, the Vegas Golden Knights broke out for three goals in the second period and returned to the win column after five straight losses with a 5-2 decision over Vancouver Wednesday.
In the competitive Pacific Division, the VGK were still in first place (tied with Edmonton) even after losing five straight games.
But the Knights jumped on the last-place Vancouver Canucks for 2-0 and 3-1 leads in the middle stanza thanks to goals by Jack Eichel, Cole Reinhardt and Ivan Barbashev. The Canucks scored with only 8.8 seconds left in period 2 on a weak shot from the blue line.
Also in period 2, VGK goalie Akira Schmid made a spectacular diving backhand glove save, kind of a reverse Fleury superman save that sparked the crowd to roar with cheers. VGK coach Bruce Cassidy said of the save’s timing in the second period, “We could take a breath.”
The game also featured the Vegas debut of 22-year-old Kai Uchacz, who has the baggage from 2021 of making racist taunts and waving a banana in front of a Black teammate, Mekei Sander, in the Western Hockey League. Uchacz centered the fourth line between wingers Braeden Bowman and Reinhardt.
The team was hoping to fill seats for games against Vancouver tonight and the Los Angeles Kings Thursday night with a Nevada locals but one get one BOGO deal. The next Vegas home game at T-Mobile Arena after Thursday’s LA game is March 6 when VGK host the Minnesota Wild.
At the start of the third, Mitch Marner chalked up his 42nd assist on Pavel Dorofeyev’s 25th goal of the season for a 4-2 VGK lead before Alexander Holtz scored for a three-goal Vegas lead at 5-2.
Vegas held on to the 5-2 lead to claim the regulation win and the two points. VGK are 26-16-14 for 66 points and play LA Thursday before the Olympic break.
Cassidy noted every line accounted for at least one goal tonight.
PSA
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