Marc-Andre Fleury has been a part of a lot of firsts for the Vegas Golden Knights. He was the first to record a win, first to take a penalty, and the first to do pretty much everything else goalies can do except for record a shutout (Oscar Dansk stole that one from him). Quietly, and with a little help from a teammate, he also became the first goalie to be credited an assist in a Golden Knights game.
It happened on February 23rd, the last time the Vancouver Canucks came to T-Mobile Arena. Here’s the play.
Fleury kicked the save out to the boards. There’s a board battle in which Jon Merrill shielded the Canucks player away from the puck, however, neither Merrill nor Thomas Vanek gained possession of the puck. The next to touch it was David Perron who fired it up to Tomas Nosek. The rest is history.
Initially, only one assist was awarded because the scorekeepers must have believed Vanek got the puck, but looking closely that never happened.
So, Fleury should have earned the assist as he was the last to touch it, but it wasn’t until a fellow Golden Knight went out of his way to challenge the ruling that the first ever goalie assist became official.
Perron went over to tell them to change it because I should have gotten the assist. -Marc-Andre Fleury
He made a save and I thought it went right on my stick, then I passed it to Nosek and he scored. They didn’t give it to him, and for me, it makes a big difference when a goalie controls his rebound. He deserved it. -David Perron
Apparently, Perron isn’t afraid to challenge rulings. He said he’s done it for Brad Hunt multiple times and even asked the scorers to review the play that many (including myself) believed should have been Tomas Hyka’s first career NHL point.
It’s big for us at the end of our contracts. You try to help these guys out because they are less experienced and might be shy to go do that. -Perron
Fleury remembered the play pretty vividly when we discussed it and joked that he was planning it all along.
I can’t believe the refs missed it. (laughing) -Fleury
And yes, Fleury is the type of guy who has assists on his mind when he makes a pass that leads to a rush.
Sometimes, yeah. I definitely do. It’s not that I care much, it’s just fun to hear your name. -Fleury
Unfortunately that night he did not get to hear his name called over the P.A. system, but that save, which “sprung” the Golden Knights fifth goal of the night will forever be etched in Vegas history as the first assist by a goalie in a regular season game.
They all count, eh! -Fleury
Well, as long as David Perron makes them.
Warren Shapiro
What’s next “The Flower” will score a GOAL. That will happen before he hangs up the skates and it be for “THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS” Hopefully you will have the CUP by then Onward to the chase of the CUP.
Anonymous
Ken, before you write an article like this, you should first check your facts.. This article is SO far from what actually happened, coming from someone who knows first hand exactly what happen that game.. A good journalist always verifies his/her facts, obviously you didn’t and it totally destroys your credibility as a media outlet
Ken Boehlke
Not entirely sure what facts you are talking about. It’s simply a report of what I was told happened. The only assumption is why scorekeepers didn’t credit the assist as they believe Vanek gained possession of the puck. Could certainly be incorrect on that which is why I used “must have believed.”
If you would like to fill us all in on what you believe actually happened I’m certainly willing to listen and verify it with the players and staff.
Joe
It’s crazy to think that you’d write an article with quotes from the players that were involved and you are the one being called it for the fact check.
This is a hunch, but I don’t think Anonymous is their real name.