The Golden Knight’s Twitter account ahead of their game yesterday posted the Bruins' forward lines "with female names rather than the actual lineup," according to Andrew Joseph of USATODAY.com. On the surface, the Golden Knights' account was "making a lame, sexist joke to imply that the Bruins were inferior to the Knights as if women were inferior to men." But the team "explained that it was a reference to a line" from the movie, "Ted," which came out in '12. It was a joke that "nobody was going to follow -- a random line from a 5-year-old movie -- and was still sexist even with the explanation." Joseph also noted the Golden Knight's Twitter account "spent the rest of the game ignoring the backlash and tweeting in a Boston accent" (USATODAY.com, 10/15). THE ATHLETIC's Ruth Kapelus noted the Golden Knights' social media voice, run by Dir of Digital & Social Media Dan Marrazza, is a "lot like their city." It is a "little loud, a little brash and a whole lot of fun." While most NHL teams "employ self-effacing comedy as an element of their social media," the Golden Knights are "using humour and wit to create the brand of what’s essentially a start-up business in a highly competitive market." Marrazza is a "self-professed hockey maniac." He is also an "Emmy-winning digital reporter and web producer with an expansive sports media resume." He has "managed the social media accounts for four professional hockey teams" (THEATHLETIC.com, 10/13). USA TODAY's Nancy Armour writes, "Disparaging women and making jokes at their expense is never OK, and the Golden Knights deserved every bit of condemnation and criticism they got." This "wasn’t about some people failing to get a joke." This was about the Golden Knights "not recognizing casual sexism or their role in fostering it" (USATODAY.com, 10/16).
FABULOUS LAS VEGAS: In Detroit, Helene St. James noted Red Wings players "came away dazzled and impressed" with the hockey atmosphere in Las Vegas after Friday's game against the Golden Knights. St. James wrote Las Vegas is "onto something in its latest attraction." T-Mobile Arena was "packed, and people were in their seats cheering and chanting." Red Wings RW Gustav Nyquist said, "I felt like it was a big party in the stands. The fans were loud. They’ve been able to put together a great product here, it seems like. And a good team, too." St. James noted the "electric atmosphere at T-Mobile Arena befitted a playoff game." Fans in Red Wings gear "were plentiful, and it’s the presence of tourists and transplants that signals Vegas will not suffer the uncertainty of other teams located in markets not traditionally associated with hockey." Red Wings C Henrik Zetterberg said, "I see a future here and especially the fans, they are a big part of it. It was loud. It was probably a lot louder than in many other arenas." St. James noted T-Mobile Arena is "located on the Vegas Strip, all the more conducive to luring tourists." Inside the arena, the "entertainment value comes through." The Red Wings "handed the Golden Knights their first defeat of the young season, but the atmosphere never dulled" (
DETROIT FREE PRESS, 10/15).
STICK TO THE PLAN: Golden Knights President Kerry Bubolz before Friday's game said that the "invasion of the opponents' fans is hardly a surprise, especially the fans of Original Six teams such as the Red Wings and Bruins." In Las Vegas, Alan Snel noted Bubolz estimated that 30% of Friday’s crowd "were Red Wings fans." Bubolz said that there are "no business plans to try and limit Golden Knights home game tickets from falling into the hands of opponents’ fans." He added that the game plan is to "win over locals who have emotional allegiances to other NHL teams over time and convert them to Golden Knights fans" (LVSPORTSBIZ.com, 10/15).
HELPING WITH THE HEALING: USA TODAY's Kevin Allen wrote the Golden Knights are "already big winners because they have done everything right under the most heart-wrenching circumstances." No established NHL team "could have navigated the Golden Knights' situation any better than they did." Golden Knights Owner Bill Foley said, "The team is feeding off the city. I think the city is feeding off the team" (USA TODAY, 10/15). In Las Vegas, David Schoen wrote the Golden Knights' first games in the city are "all part of the healing process for the Las Vegas residents, who have found an escape in the aftermath of the Oct. 1 mass shooting on the Strip through hockey." Las Vegas resident Rich Rodriguez said, "It gets you out of the house, gets your mind off stuff." Las Vegas resident Constant Kern said of the Golden Knights' reaction to the tragedy, "I really truly believe it brought the city together" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/15).
