Fans inside T-Mobile Arena last night continuously waved white towels in support throughout the gameGETTY IMAGES
A record 18,479 fans, "mostly dressed in steel grey," packed T-Mobile Arena last night for the Golden Knights' first ever playoff game against the Kings, according to Alan Snel of LVSPORTSBIZ.com. The Golden Knights beat the Kings 1-0, and there was a "passionate, intense vibe to the big ice house on the Strip that filled the arena thanks to a crowd of mostly Golden Knights fans." The team’s management "rolled out an innovative playoff ticket sales strategy to accomplish exactly that." The management goal was to keep home tickets "in the hands of Golden Knights fans by selling the playoff tickets to season ticket holders at a cheaper price if they took a 'vow' not to re-sell the tickets on the secondary broker market" (LVSPORTSBIZ.com, 4/11). ESPN's Sarah Spain said, "You have to say that Vegas Golden Knights is the best story. Especially because for hockey, this is a great way for fans to get in on the first rung of the ladder. They don't need to know any history." ESPN's Mina Kimes: "The way they built this team will used as a case study. It was genius" ("Around the Horn," ESPN, 4/11).
SIMPLY ELECTRIC: In L.A., Helene Elliott writes no one "wanted to miss a second of the pulsating Stanley Cup playoff debut" of the Golden Knights. The fans inside the arena "changed the words of the chorus of 'Sweet Caroline' to 'Sweet Golden Knights,' and they created a blizzard by swirling white towels." At the end of the game, the crowd "counted down the final seconds in a deafening din." Golden Knights G Marc-Andre Fleury said, "That's the loudest I've heard this building." Elliott notes the team has the "support of a community and home crowd that have adopted them enthusiastically" (L.A. TIMES, 4/12). In Las Vegas, Ed Graney notes the Golden Knights' pregame sword ceremony was "altered a bit to include skating flag bearers holding aloft symbols of seven Western Conference playoff teams of the NHL." Then a Golden Knight, "representing the eighth, entered to slay all such foes" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 4/12). USA TODAY's Hermal Jhaveri wrote the pregame ceremony was "everything that makes Vegas so fun, and featured a dramatic voice over worthy of 'Lord of the Rings,' along with a trial by combat, some futuristic drumming and much more." Hockey "tends to take itself pretty seriously, so it's nice to see a team actually go out there and have fun" (USATODAY.com, 4/11). In DC, Des Bieler writes the NHL "likely never had a playoff series-opening number quite like what the Golden Knights staged" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/12). ESPN's Barry Melrose said, "Vegas does everything right. They've hit a home run with everything they've done this year" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 4/12).
Las Vegas once again will host the NHL Awards Show on June 20 at the Hard Rock HotelGetty Images
ON THE HORIZON: In Las Vegas, Steve Carp notes the Golden Knights and city will "once again host the NHL Awards Show when the league’s best are honored June 20 at the Hard Rock Hotel." Meanwhile, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who attended last night's game, "didn’t discount the idea of the Knights hosting the NHL draft or the All-Star Game or participating in a Stadium Series outdoor game at some point." Bettman: "Las Vegas has proved it can host major events, as evidenced by the fact we are here. My guess is, with all the things going on, that the club will request in the not too distant future to be included in our events, whether it’s the All-Star Game or an outdoor game, though we’d have to look at the weather patterns a little bit." The NHL has "indicated a desire to play an outdoor game at West Point, home of the U.S. Military Academy." Golden Knights Owner Bill Foley is a West Point graduate. So is Panthers Owner Vinnie Viola, whose team has "not played in an outdoor event in their 25-year history." Carp: "So why not have the Knights and Panthers play at Michie Stadium?" Bettman: "As we work down the line we look at all the options and alternatives. It’s something we’ll discuss at some point, but the last time I checked West Point isn’t in either Las Vegas’ or Florida’s territory" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 4/12).
