The team at Adam S. Kutner & Associates gave away two tickets and a Zamboni ride to Friday night’s Vegas Golden Knights game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Hockey on a Friday afternoon means it Nevada Day in our great state. So, to honor their fans and home, the Vegas Golden Knights hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning for an end of the week matinee.
It’s a nice tradition the team and league designed to allow Vegas fans to celebrate Nevada Day with an afternoon hockey game on a day kids are out of school, which is a good way to grow the sport by making the start time kid friendly.
“It’s disappointing, it’s important to get some points at home. I thought we were unlucky on a few… We talked about it and I think it was good. We’ll be learning from this game and moving on.” – Marc Andre Fleury, Vegas Golden Knights Goalie
The game began quickly for the Golden Knights, as they had two solid chances by their first line in the first minute of the game. Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson, and Reilly Smith pushed early hoping to score the game’s first goal.
“The first two periods went OK, we didn’t show what we can really do so we need to be there for a full 60 minutes, we just can’t only show up in the third period.” – William Karlsson, Vegas Golden Knights Center
Unfortunately, Tampa was able to take the first lead of the game on a shot by Tyler Johnson. Two minutes later Vegas broke through on a screened shot by defenseman Shea Theodore. The blueliner scored his first goal of the season set up by a hustling Ryan Carpenter. Vegas tied the game temporarily 1-1.
Tampa’s Brayden Point scored on a pass sequence by Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos. The Lightning’s second goal gave them the one-goal lead heading into the first intermission. Tampa added a third on a controversial offsides review ending in a good goal for Tampa.
“Well, first of all, we were still in it, it was only 3-1, and to just keep battling. One goal can change the momentum and we got a lot of momentum from that power play and the rest of the period we played really well.” – William Karlsson, Vegas Golden Knights Center
William Karlsson made it close with his third goal of the season early in the third period. The Lightning tightened up their defense and blocked and disrupted any rush by the Golden Knights. The Nevada Day mating ended in a 3-2 Vegas loss. The Golden Knights will try and bounce tomorrow evening as they host the Ottawa Senators. Game time is at 5P.
Quick Notes: Vegas forward Max Pacioretty left the game early with an upper-body injury. Coach Gallant told the media he was day-to-day but will have more information over the next day or so.