The first day of hockey in Las Vegas wasn't really about hockey at all. It was much bigger.
Tuesday night had been tapped for months as a celebration of the NHL's official arrival, when the Golden Knights would host their inaugural regular-season game at T-Mobile Arena against the Coyotes. Instead, it turned into a chance for the city's first major league sports franchise to help a fan base grieving with its healing process following the worst mass shooting in modern American history, which took place a few blocks down the Strip 10 days earlier.
"It's not going to be a home opener," said Vegas defenseman Deryk Engelland, a longtime resident of the city, echoing his teammates before the game. "It's going to be for the people of Las Vegas."
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Before puck drop, the facade of the arena greeted fans with a message: "When things get dark, Vegas shines." But the most powerful gesture came from the signs that weren't there. The Golden Knights decided in advance of the game to strip their dasher boards from all advertisements out of respect for the victims, replacing them with "Vegas Strong." Ads were also removed from behind the team benches and penalty box.
"WHEN THINGS GET DARK, LAS VEGAS SHINES." pic.twitter.com/DHOjl43ZM8
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) October 9, 2017
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
Both teams wore similar decals on the backs of their helmets.
Some things are bigger than rivalries.
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) October 10, 2017
Tonight all players will wear a #VegasStrong decal. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/v0IR1rd5xo
The Golden Knights originally planned a giant ceremony to commemorate the beginning of the hockey season. But they scrapped much of it, including a fan fest and their usual pregame ritual (which will resume for future home games), after Stephen Paddock opened fire indiscriminately on a crowd of country music fans listening to Jason Aldean perform at the Route 91 Harvest Festival Oct. 1, leaving 58 dead and nearly 500 more injured.
"Let me just say it's not going to be our typical opener. We'll save that for Friday," general manager George McPhee said. "Tuesday night is not about us. It's about honoring and remembering the victims and supporting their families and recognizing the first responders that did tremendous work."
One by one, the Knights' public address announcer introduced some of those police officers, fire fighters, EMTs, doctors and nurses, who took the ice side-by-side with players.
Keith Dotson, a member of the team which plans the Route 91 festival, was on site and lent a hand to victims and first responders in the chaotic aftermath. He was picked to sing the national anthem for the opener and, along with 14 of his fellow organizers and the 17,500 plus in attendance, delivered an emotional and unforgettable rendition.
Finally, it was Engelland who
