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Thursday 31 May 2018
Knights, Caps try to keep their cool in Vegas at Cup Final

Alex Ovechkin during the
scuffles immediately after
the hit.
Once the emotions died
down, both teams realized
they've got to check their
more primal urges if they
hope to play a solid game
on the NHL's biggest stage.
The atmosphere in Las
Vegas for the city's first Final
has been electric, but the
Caps weren't intimidated
by the frenzied crowd.
Washington goalie Braden
Holtby said the biggest
difference about playing
in Vegas is "the bass they
put in the building. Maybe
that's a little false when ...
you're literally shaking from
the bass. That's the only
difference. (Their) fans are
loud. Our fans are loud.
Tampa's, Pitt's, Columbus,
all fans are loud."
The condition of the
T-Mobile Arena ice also
caused occasional
problems for both teams
with its inconsistencies and
general roughness, but
nobody is claiming the
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb, left, hits Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson as linesman Jonny Murray first-year NHL building has
tries to break it up during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Monday, May 28, 2018, in Las Vegas. any unusual problems. The
Associated Press
conditions certainly didn't
By GREG BEACHAM into an entertainingly and not allowing the top playoff scorer. hurt the offensive players in
AP Sports Writer ramshackle opener, but the frenetic Vegas crowd to "It's within the rules," Wilson any meaningful way, given
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Gerard Knights took charge after overwhelm their emotions. said after practice at the final score.
Gallant and the Vegas that fateful collision left "There's obviously nerves," T-Mobile Arena. "It's a clean "Ice isn't an excuse,
Golden Knights still think Marchessault sprawled on Washington's Jay Beagle hit. I don't know why it got because it's the same for
Tom Wilson's third-period hit the ice. Vegas quickly got said. "I'm not surprised at so much media attention, both teams," Holtby said.
on Jonathan Marchessault Tomas Nosek's go-ahead anything anymore, but to be honest. It's a hard "You just want to figure it
in the Stanley Cup Final goal , eventually won 6-4 in the Stanley Cup Final, hit, but that's the day and out quicker than them, and
opener was too late and and surged one game usually it's 2-1 or 1-0, not (6- age we're in. ... I'm trying to obviously they've had the
probably a bit dirty. closer to an improbable 4). But you don't know what play my game. There's a lot advantage playing here
The coach also believes championship. to expect from a team that of those hits that are going for a while. Our ice isn't any
it sparked his team's The focused aggression you don't know that much. on, but it's the Stanley Cup different than it is here. It's
comeback victory in that necessary to be a Now we've got to know Final, and it's within the just little differences. When
Game 1 thriller. successful postseason team them a little bit more." rules." it's that hot out, there's
So while he wasn't happy is a delicate concoction. The mistakes that worry The NHL Department of always one thing that's not
to hear Wilson will face no The Golden Knights and coaches also lead to Player Safety agreed when great. We're just figuring
discipline from the NHL, Caps both had it during exciting hockey, and the it decided not to discipline out what you can and
Gallant is hoping his team the conference playoffs, opener was thoroughly Wilson for the shoulder- can't do."q
will remember the hit — but they both admit it got entertaining even before to-shoulder hit, clearly
and more importantly, how away from them in Game Wilson lowered the boom deciding that Wilson's
they played right after it — 1. on Marchessault. The teams timing wasn't extraordinarily
when they attempt to take "I think both teams can be combined for a Final- late.
a 2-0 series lead on the better," Washington coach record four lead changes in Marchessault went to the
Washington Capitals on Barry Trotz said. "It was a the highest-scoring opener dressing room and was
Wednesday night on the pretty sloppy game." in eight years for this final examined for a possible
Strip. After one game to get round. concussion, but returned to
"The good thing about the used to the sky-high stakes Wilson, who served a three- the game. Gallant said the
hit is it really woke our team of the last round of this game suspension in the forward is feeling fine for
up," Gallant said after an tournament, both teams second round for breaking Game 2.
optional practice at the intend to channel their the jaw of Pittsburgh's The Capitals had their own
Golden Knights' suburban nervous energy more Zach Aston-Reese, and complaint about Vegas
training complex. "I think it constructively in the future. the Capitals still insist the forward David Perron, who
was a 4-4 game?" Both coaches stressed the hard-charging forward did jumped on the ice after the
Indeed, two novice Stanley importance of discipline, nothing wrong when he whistle and made contact
Cup finalists were deep completing assignments leveled the Golden Knights' with Washington captain