During my second to last semester in college in 2015 I was required to take a rhetorical criticism class for my communication major. Let me tell you – I hated rhetoric. I was way more into the nonverbal or intercultural communication classes, but rhetoric was something I needed to learn. We had a huge assignment that lasted the whole semester. I think my final analysis was around 16 pages long. The assignment was to pick a local website and analyze everything about it. What its goal was, how did it draw people in, what were its strengths and weaknesses, etc. Me being me chose something to do with sports. I picked the Vegas Golden Knights website.

Back then the Vegas Golden Knights weren’t a hockey team. They were only the hope of some wealthy sports loving businessmen, but I respected what they were trying to achieve. If they got 10,000 or more people to put a downpayment on season tickets then they would get approval to build a hockey stadium in Vegas. When the website first launched thousands signed up, but week after week the ticket sales started slowing down. I analyzed this website all semester and throughout my four months with this project, it didn’t reach 10,000. It seemed like maybe Vegas wasn’t destined for a professional hockey team.

Yesterday I went to my first Golden Knights game. I sat in that stadium admiring what the owner, Bill Foley, and the Las Vegas community that supported his dream, built together. I watched a sea of Golden Knights jerseys chant our city’s name and I witnessed history as the Golden Knights shut out their opponents 7 to 0. I cannot get over how good our team is doing during their first year. They hold the best record for any inagural team in the National Hockey League. We are now 8 and 1 with no signs of slowing down.

Anyway, our state celebrated Nevada day yesterday so my mom, a couple of my friends, and I decided to go to a Golden Knights game. I’m a little mad at myself for not going to one sooner but it is a bit difficult with my changing work schedule. Tickets are not cheap, especially since our team is good, but it is worth it to experience the excitement and energy of the game and the fans.

We decided to have lunch at the Park in front of the T Mobile arena before the game. It was extremely crowded and I’m sure it is always like that. We ate at Beerhaus, which was good, but overpriced (it’s the Strip, so of course). I didn’t check the prices before ordering a beer and I was extremely shocked when the one bottle was $15.50 – lesson learned. 45 minutes before puck dropped, the band and cheerleaders marched along the Park walkway to get everyone hyped.

Our seats were high up on one side, but it looked like the view was good from probably anywhere. This is only my second hockey game, so my goal is to start to really learn the sport. I want to know the teams and all the rules and all the players on our team. Hopefully, I will be going to a good amount of games this season.

If you don’t know much about hockey but are going to a game just some tips: dress warm. It’s not freezing inside but a T-shirt and shorts is not the smartest option. It is not a quick event. It lasts as long as a football or a baseball game. There are two breaks that are both 20 minutes, so plenty of time for beer or bathroom breaks. I’d suggest buying the team merchandise off the property. We went to the team store after and, woah, those prices were crazy. My friend ended up going home and buying a jersey offline for cheaper.

If you’re ever in Vegas come out and support our first professional sports team. They will not disappoint you, and I think it’s safe to say we have some of the best fans out there. We are Vegas Strong.