Vegas tops Vancouver in pre-season debut
By the time the Elvis Presley impersonator singing tunes between whistles had left the building, the NHL’s newest franchise was already well on its way to victory in the team’s first-ever exhibition game.
Former Lethbridge Hurricane captain Tyler Wong scored three times and added an assist as the expansion Vegas Golden Knights picked up a 9-4 win over the Vancouver Canucks in preseason action Sunday.
“It’s a huge honour,” said Wong. “The city’s very excited to get a team. To be a part of excitement like that is something special.
“It’s a pretty cool moment for all of us.”
The Golden Knights dressed a roster of mostly prospects and fringe NHLers, leaving behind the likes of forwards James Neal, Jonathan Marchessault, David Perron and Cody Eakin, defencemen Brayden McNabb and Deryk Engelland, and goalie MarcAndre Fleury.
While the scoreline did nothing to flatter the Canucks, most of the team’s veterans were on a charter plane heading to China for two historic pre-season games against the Los Angeles Kings in Beijing and Shanghai next week.
Sporting white uniforms with grey, gold and red trim, along with black pants and white and gold gloves, the NHL’s 31st team scored early and often against a disjointed opponent.
“The first (regular-season) game in October, that’s going to be the big one,” said Vegas defenceman Shea Theodore. “But definitely to be a part of this game is pretty big.”
In the spirit of Vegas’ debut, the Elvis impersonator sang classics like “Viva Las Vegas” and “Burning Love” during some of the TV timeouts at Rogers Arena for some added Sin City flair to what was, for the most part, a sloppy game.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity being able to be part of an expansion team,” said Golden Knights forward Cody Glass, the sixth pick at the 2017 draft. “I’m just trying to take it all in.”
Vegas head coach Gerard Gallant was happy with the way his youngsters performed, but like his players, also took the opportunity to soak in the moment.
“We had two rookie games last week, but this is the first real NHL game,” he said. “The first time stepping on the ice was real good and you do feel good about it.”
Tomas Hyka added two goals, while Tomas Nosek, with a goal and two assists, Nick Suzuki, with a goal and an assist, Paul Thompson and Alex Tuch also scored for the Golden Knights.
Brad Hunt chipped in with three assists, while Glass, who the Canucks passed on in favour of fellow centre Elias Pettersson with the No. 5
pick in June, had two of his own.
Brock Boeser, with two goals and an assist, Philip Holm, with a goal and an assist, and Jordan Subban replied for Vancouver.
The Golden Knights survived a 5-on-3 power play for 1:44 early in the
first period before Wong opened the scoring with the first exhibition goal in club history.
The winger collected a chipped pass from Glass on a power play with speed before beating Richard Bachman on a nice shortside backhand at 4:58.
“The puck was finding me in good spots,” said Wong, who had 109 points with the Hurricanes last season and signed as an undrafted free agent.
“I was able to bury them.”