The day before Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, I met a guy from Los Angeles who grew up in D.C. We met at The Armory at T-Mobile. He was buying Stanley Cup shirts, I was buying hockey pucks. He was going to Game 2 the following day. We made amicable small talk and one of the questions he asked me was — what has been your favorite part of this first season?
So many of my favorite moments have come from the Golden Knights and the Golden Misfits themselves — Shea Theodore’s last second game winner, Dec. 19th, against Tampa and “Wild Bill” Karlsson’s between-the-legs game winner against San Jose to clinch the division both come to mind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-4rMgXvJvU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DLA6Kv507w
My favorite part of this first season has been the fans. The people I have met. The connections. The new friends I have made from buying and selling tickets, trading hockey pucks, attending practices, taking my son to skating lessons, and just random small talk from people out in this burgeoning hockey community.
The best part is the inclusivity within the hockey community. People from all walks of life, coming together, for one common goal. It’s when we are at our best as humans and, with 1 October still fresh on our minds, our community found the perfect storm to rally back.
My contact list has increased by 57 with the new acquaintances I have met since September when the season started. My first game was Oct. 17th, when the Golden Knights hosted the Buffalo Sabres. I met an older couple during the first intermission. Older couple, retired, enjoying the Las Vegas fall weather, which is damn near perfect. I told them how my family is from Buffalo, and they bought me a beer. Great people. I’ve met and become friends with people from British Columbia, Winnipeg, Calgary, Detroit, Chicago, Boston and Philly. More so, I’ve been truly impressed with the fans, their class, knowledge of the game, friendliness and overall kindness. I’ve been to several NFL tailgates, plenty of baseball games, and a few SEC football games, and never have I been more impressed with the clientele of fans as the ones in the NHL. [video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Fans-Celebrate.mp4"][/video] Obviously, this year has been the dream season. Next year, the future, who knows what will happen with hockey in the desert. There’s no guarantees in sports and it is inevitable that the Knights will eventually have down years, but I will never forget this season and the friends I have made along the way. Go Knights Go!
