The Vegas Golden Knights played their inaugural home game tonight at T-Mobile Arena, and their pregame ceremony served as an amazing tribute to first responders and victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting on Oct. 1 that left 58 dead.
The team played this incredible #VegasStrong video in the arena, and even have the hashtag on the ice rink’s boards where advertisements would usually be.
There won't be any advertisements on the boards tonight. Instead, our boards will reflect who we are. #VegasStrong pic.twitter.com/29pL7wmMwJ
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 10, 2017
And as the Golden Knights took the ice, they were joined by first responders who were called out by name.
As the players stood on the ice with doctors, nurses, policemen, and firefighters, there was a 58-second moment of silence for the 58 people killed in the shooting.
The Vegas Golden Knights will honor the memories of the 58 victims tonight with their names emblazoned on the ice. #VegasStrong pic.twitter.com/Qc9sLOZQtv
— Charlie Moynihan (@MoynihanCharles) October 11, 2017
Golden Knights defenseman Deryk Engelland has made Las Vegas his home since he played for the ECHL’s Las Vegas Warriors in 2003-2004, and gave a moving speech during the ceremony.
And the puck drop was conducted by survivors of the tragedy.
Tonight's ceremonial puck drop is conducted by survivors of the Las Vegas tragedy. #VegasStrong pic.twitter.com/TLy3goBq6L
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) October 11, 2017
Then the game started, and the Golden Knights wasted little time getting on the board on this emotional night.
https://twitter.com/NHLDaily365/status/917949487049527296
The Golden Knights scored four goals in the first period, including a goal from Engelland.
Deryk Engelland is a Las Vegas native, and this goal means more than 1 point #VegasStrong https://t.co/uj8tPbcwv5
— Forward Mile NHL (@ForwardMileNHL) October 11, 2017
Vegas came away with a 5-2 victory to become the first expansion team to ever start the season 3-0.
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