Well, can’t say we weren’t prepared for that. Opposing team’s “mascot” skates out, tries to pull the sword from the stone, and can’t do it. Then the Golden Knight appears to pull the sword out, the arena lights up, and the crowd goes wild.
Oh, about that last part. Yeah, well, nevermind.
It was exactly what The Creator has been saying it would be for the better part of three years, and the Golden Knights gameday staff did as much as they possibly could with it to make it as not-awful as physically possible.
Then, the real shining light appeared…
Chance The Gila Monster!
Introducing the Golden Knights mascot, CHANCE! pic.twitter.com/2VCu9H93Mu
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 14, 2017
There seems to be some questions about our mascot, Chance. He. Is. A. Gila. Monster.
More: https://t.co/x6zd2C05rI pic.twitter.com/4q0qMbgFns
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 14, 2017
The Golden Knights are going to have three mascots, Chance is one of them. The other two are expected to make their first appearances over the next few games, and yes one of them is a Golden Knight.
Chance and the Vegas Golden Knights organization got crushed on social media over choosing a gila monster that looks like the love child of the Fantastic Four rock guy and Barney.
— Justin Lomprey (@jlomps) October 14, 2017
Nonetheless, Chance is exactly what a mascot is supposed to be. How do you think the social media response would have been to the Phillie Phanatic, Orbit, or the Western Kentucky’s Big Red?
It’s supposed to be weird, awkward, and in many ways stupid. Chance is all of them, and there’s even a goofy backstory that goes with him.
Most Gila Monsters live in seclusion their whole lives and have little interaction with the outside world. However, when Chance learned that major professional hockey was coming to Las Vegas he became energized. He emerged from his underground burrow at Red Rock Canyon and made his way to City National Arena in Summerlin to see what all the excitement was about. –VegasGoldenKnights.com
The mascot itself is fine, it’s now up to the guy inside the suit to make him loveable. If there’s a fun personality to go along with the giant lizard wearing a Golden Knights jersey, kids will adore Chance. And that’s the point Twitter seemed to miss last night. Chance isn’t here to make the millennial Twitter trolls happy, he’s here to make kids laugh and have fun at a game.
Chance the Gila Monster is incredibly stupid, which is what makes him incredibly awesome as a mascot.
And before you ask, yes, Gila monsters are native to Southern Nevada.
Zx6man
who in the world would Dis a mascot meant for kids? really does it affect your soul that much? The social world we live in is so sad sometimes.
0006
My 4 year old: “He looks cute.”
That’s all need to be said.
RJ
Whatever. I’m a grown man and I like Chance. Can’t wait to get my dog a Chance bandana or collar or something.
Mickey B
I am thankful that I don’t care about their awful dinner theatre on ice, or the lame mascot, or their awful game hosts that scream everytime they speak. I am there for hockey and happy that it is delivering so far. Everything besides the game being played is white noise to me.
Doug
Hey Mickey B, your comment is like white noise to the rest of us.
Mickey B
Quite the zinger, Doug. Your biting wit is top notch.
You go to the arena and sit with your mouth agape at all of the lame nonsense and ignore the actual game being played. Whatever flips your switch, goober. I’ll watch the game.
Anony
Ladies and gentlemen, millenial twitter troll exhibit A.