Story by Alan Snel Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Man, it’s strange to feel so nostalgic about the Vegas Golden Knights.
But the NHL’s 31st franchise is, indeed, turning ten years old this season and this week was a time machine experience for fans to see the likes of Gerard Gallant and James Neal and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare on the arena plaza before tonight’s VGK-LA Kings game at T-Mobile Arena.
And during the game’s first period, there was Original Misfit Cody Eakin in the crowd tonight, trying to stir fans up by banging a sword against a knight’s shield. VGK coach Ryan Craig said it was great to see Gallant, who served as a mentor for him. “It was great to see him and catch up,” Craig said of Gallant.
Nearly a decade ago, the Golden Knights and their medieval theme in this old horse and gambling town won over the hearts and minds of a desert market after a madman killed 60 in a mass shooting Oct. 1, 2017.
And the Kings tonight? Well, what comes to mind is the VGK first-round sweep of the Kings in four close games in the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2017-18.
In a full circle moment with a twist, Original Misfit Erik Haula — who scored a winning double OT goal in Game 2 of those playoffs — is skating with those same Kings tonight.
It was great to see Mr. Friendly Brad Hunt, who was a defenseman on tat Misfit team. Hunt now works as a scout for the New York Islanders.
LVSportsBiz.com chatted with Gallant two nights ago when the Knights fell behind to the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-0, but found a way to claw back and win, 4-3, in a shootout before an all-time low non-COVID crowd of 15,977.
The Knights took a 1-0 lead on a Trevor Connelly power play goal in the second period before the Kings tied the game later in the period.
After a scoreless third period, Mitch Marner won the game with an overtime power play goal and the VGK skated off the ice with a 2-1 OT win.
Vegas has now won five of its six games this season and hits the road for games in Minnesota and Nashville.
Busy night around the league:
PSA
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