The Vegas Golden Knights have made history by becoming the first National Hockey League (NHL) side to win their three opening matches in a debut season.
The Golden Knights played their first ever game at their new home, Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena, yesterday, and claimed a 5-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes.
The win provided a much-needed boost for Las Vegas, which is still in mourning following the 1 October mass shooting - when 58 people were killed and 527 injured.
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Last night’s home debut was dedicated to the victims, with a 58-second silence during which the names of each of those murdered by gunman Stephen Paddock was projected onto the ice, reports ESPN.
The message “Vegas Strong” also replaced the usual advertisements on the video screens encircling the rink.
On the ice, the Golden Knights were in fine form and played some “inspired hockey”, says CBC Sports online.
Golden Knight’s coach Gerard Gallant said his team did a “hell of a job” following a tough week. Speaking after the game, he said: “We talked about tonight being the most important game we’ll ever play.
“A lot of guys, we’re playing for our city. We’re playing for the tragedy that happened, for all the people that were here tonight and affected by the tragedy.
“I thought our guys did a hell of a job. They came out and they focused on the game. They focused from the start.”
James Neal, who scored twice against the Coyotes, described the atmosphere inside the T-Mobile Arena.
“There was so much emotion, but we tried to stay focused on hockey, even though it was bigger than hockey,” said Neal.
“This is our town. We’re making it our home, and we want it to be a hockey town.”
Fellow goalscorer Deryk Engelland said it was “special” to find the net in front of the home fans. Following their win, reports CBC Sports, he vowed that his team “will do everything we can to help you and our city heal. We are Vegas Strong”.
“It was probably one of the more emotional moments of my life,” Engelland said of his goal. “I probably don’t plan on scoring in too many games, but to get that one was pretty special.”
Here’s a round-up of the best Tweets and pictures about their home debut.
The star of the show...
The Coyotes paid tribute to their opponents
The 58 seconds of silence
What an atmosphere inside the T-Mobile Arena
NHL history is made
The city is #VegasStrong
