LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 10: The names of the 58 people killed at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival are projected on the ice before the Vegas Golden Knights’ inaugural regular-season home opener against the Arizona Coyotes at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights honored first responders and victims of last week’s mass shooting at the game. On October 1, Stephen Paddock killed 58 people and injured more than 450 after he opened fire on a large crowd at the festival. The massacre is one of the deadliest mass shooting events in U.S. history. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
NHLBy Matt Clapp on

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.

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.

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.

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.

Vegas came away with a 5-2 victory to become the first expansion team to ever start the season 3-0.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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