Written By: Alex Tejada, EBC Sports International, Las Vegas Bureau
Photos By: Nico Poblete, Eagle News Service, Las Vegas Bureau
LAS VEGAS (Eagle News) – The visiting Pittsburgh Penguins arrived at the T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas Nevada to face off against the Vegas Golden Knights. Since the moment the puck dropped on center ice, both teams moved quick for position.
The 18,029 fans in attendance contributed to the game’s tempo, but it will be James Neal who would score his fifteenth goal of the season for the Golden Knights, in just under two minutes of play time. With the speed and tempo on high, the Penguins contested with a goal of their own by Ian Cole to the top corner of the goal just beyond the reach of Marc-Andre Fleury, to tie the game at 1-1.
Period 2 was nothing short than an offensive array of shots. Both The Penguins and the Golden Knights were each unable to take advantage of the Power play opportunities and combined for a total of 34 shots on goal. Both goaltenders displayed great skills and kept the score even to end the second period.
The third period started where the second period left off; with speed and a lot of offense. With 8 mins and 17 secs into the third period, Jon Merrill score his first goal of the season, with the assist of Erik Haula. Merrill’s goal was the final score needed to give the Golden Knights a victory and to keep in contention for the first place position in the Pacific Division.
The Golden Knights record improves to 20-9-2, just 2 two points behind the division leaders, Los Angeles Kings. (Eagle News)
