Covid-19 Archives - SinBin.vegas

Tag: Covid-19

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

The Golden Knights sent an email to all season ticket holders announcing their plans to allow fans back into T-Mobile Arena at a limited capacity starting on March 1st.

We are excited to announce that starting March 1, home games at T-Mobile Arena will open with 15% capacity. Limited seating for March home games will go on-sale to Season Ticket Members tomorrow, Wednesday, February 24 at 9am PST. Season Ticket Members can purchase one seating POD for one home game during this presale opportunity. Please note, due to limited seating, we can’t guarantee specific games, locations or number of tickets. -VGK email to season ticket holders

Tickets go on sale through AXS beginning tomorrow.

Vice President of Ticketing, Todd Pollock, is expected to speak at 5:30 tonight to offer more information to the media.

VGK will use the lower bowl, mezzanine, and half of the upper bowl to host fans starting March 1st.
Suites will also be open and will host about 375 of the 2,600 fans.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 24, 2021

Seating pods are sets of 2, 4, or 6 seats and cannot be split.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 24, 2021

Season ticket holders are eligible to buy tickets on Wednesday and the general public on-sale will happen on Thursday.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 24, 2021

There will be a block held back for the public on-sale on Thurday.
Tickets start at $135. https://t.co/N13wAa6TPA
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 24, 2021

COVID info for VGK games in March, including free parking. pic.twitter.com/fAUwOcG708
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 24, 2021

Plans for Silver Knights tickets are still being considered. The team is hopeful to be able to get fans into the building before the month is out.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 24, 2021

COVID Protocols Continue To Lack Consistency

By Jason Pothier

On February 10, 2021

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

It’s been a season of trial and error, which was expected. After news broke that the Golden Knights were notified during Tuesday’s game that Tomas Nosek tested positive for COVID-19, many wondered how the league would handle Vegas’ latest case. Also, how and why the results were delivered so late allowing for an infected player to dress and play. Would Vegas have to shut down and delay operations or carry on without their fourth-line center?

Tomorrow night’s game in Las Vegas between the Golden Knights and Ducks remains scheduled to be played at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Rapid PCR Point of Care tests will be administered to all Players and staff on both teams in advance of that game (in addition to the daily lab-based PCR testing) and any decision regarding potential postponement will be made by the League’s, NHLPA’s and Clubs’ medical officials, following all COVID Protocols and local and federal regulations.-NHL

Up until now, a player being pulled from a game had only happened in the AHL, one played right here in Vegas. So, I’m sure the NHL’s judgment had to surprise even the Golden Knights organization.

Earlier this month, Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon was asked about that exact situation, and you can’t blame him for not really having an answer. His only frame of reference was a similar situation that occurred when a player from the San Jose Barracuda tested positive during a contest against the Henderson Silver Knights.

I don’t know what type of testing they were using. The NHL protocols are PCR testing everyday. I don’t know what exactly San Jose was doing, I can’t speak to any of that. So, I really don’t know the answer to that question. The situation you referred to, to my knowledge hasn’t happened at the National League level. I’m not 100% sure about that but I haven’t heard if it has.-Kelly McCrimmon on February 1st, 2021

One of the uncertainties the league should address is testing on gamedays. As we watched on Tuesday night, Nosek played two periods before the team was alerted. The 28-year-old center’s last shift was the final 10 seconds to close out the 2nd period. It was clear neither Nosek or the coaching staff were aware of the situation brewing behind the scenes.

As it turns out, gameday testing results aren’t delivered in a timely manner. According to McCrimmon, results are returned later to the team and the league that same day. Now we come to realize the outcome could come as late as 9 PM PT.

Power Play Improvement Could Turn VGK From Great To Elite

By Jason Pothier

On February 2, 2021

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

The Golden Knights are regarded as one of the better teams in the league. They’ve been described as elite, highly-skilled and loaded. Vegas backs that up with the third best points percentage (.786) in the NHL. However, there is one glaringly obvious area the first place Golden Knights will need to improve.

Since the start of the shortened 2019-20 season, the Golden Knights are 19th in the league with 40 5-on-4 goals. When coach Pete DeBoer took over on January 16th, 2020, Vegas dropped even lower to 28th. In that timespan the Golden Knights squeaked out an underwhelming 12 5-on-4 goals in 79 opportunities.

The 2021 Golden Knights have only scored three times on the power play, the second least in the league. One on a two-man advantage, and two on a 5-on-4. Overall, Vegas’ power play efficiency is 11.5% good for 28th in the NHL.

2021 VGK Man-Advantage Breakdown

27 Man Advantage Opportunities
Power Play Goals (3)
5-on-4 Goals (2)
5-on-3 Goals (1)
6-on-5 Goals (1)

On the other hand, signs show that Vegas’ deficiencies won’t hurt them in the long run. Under DeBoer, the Golden Knights have the third-highest points percentage (.741) behind only Boston (.774) and Philadelphia (.750). Impressively enough, Their inability to score in 5-on-4 situations rarely cost them regular season points.

Postponements Bail Out Reeling Sharks

By Jason Pothier

On January 30, 2021

In Game Analysis

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

By now all Golden Knights fans know the NHL announced there are four members from the organization that are isolating and complying with the league’s COVID-19 protocol. Due to the unfortunate circumstances, Vegas was forced to postpone at least three games.

The National Hockey League announced today that the games currently scheduled for February 1 and February 3 between the Vegas Golden Knights and the San Jose Sharks have been postponed and will be rescheduled for later in the season in San Jose. -NHL PR

It’s news Golden Knights fans were dreading but knew was always realistic possibility this season. Now, Vegas is without an opponent for another week, when they hope to host the LA Kings on February 5th. The club the Golden Knights were supposed to play beforehand quietly doesn’t mind.

The San Jose Sharks have had an up and down season, and may have seriously lucked out. Lately, they can’t keep the puck out of the net giving up 17 goals in their last four games. Dropping the two more games to the Golden Knights might have been devastating for the Sharks.

Vegas vs San Jose Regular Season History
VGK .792 Winning %
VGK (8-1-3) 19 Points
VGK Goal Differential +19

This season the Sharks haven’t won two consecutive games and are allowing the third-most goals in the league. In the past, the Golden Knights have devoured San Jose in those conditions. That could’ve been the case this week.

Sifting Through The COVID Protocols As They Relate To VGK’s Current Situation

By Ken Boehlke

On January 28, 2021

In News

On Tuesday night the Golden Knights played a game at T-Mobile Arena without their entire coaching staff. After the game, Kelly McCrimmon confirmed that one member of the coaching staff had tested positive and the rest were isolating out of an abundance of caution.

Now, tonight’s game has been canceled with the league releasing the information that a player and another coach have entered the NHL’s COVID Protocols.

Many of the specifics remain unknown, but the protocols are clearly spelled out and can help us sort through what has already happened and what’s next for the Golden Knights.

How often are the players and coaches tested?

All players, coaches, trainers, equipment managers, and physicians are part of “Group 1.” Daily testing of all Group 1 individuals has been in effect since the beginning of Training Camp and through the first four weeks of the season.

What does it mean to enter the NHL’s COVID Protocols?

A player or coach can enter the protocols in a number of different ways. A positive test instantly places the person in the protocols. However, anyone exuding symptoms or anyone who has had close contact with someone that has tested positive are also entered into the protocols. Entering into the protocols does NOT mean a person is confirmed to have COVID-19.

What happens when someone tests positive?

If an initial test returns as positive, that person is immediately removed from the facility and is directed to isolate. Contact tracing is begun to identify others who could have been exposed. Then, a “second run” re-test is done on the positive sample, also the person is tested again 24 hours and 48 hours after the positive test. If any of those tests are positive, the person is confirmed as positive for COVID-19 and must isolate for at least 10 days. If all follow-up tests are negative, the person may return to the team.

VGK COACHES IN ISOLATION; MCCRIMMON TO COACH TEAM VS STL

By Ken Boehlke

On January 26, 2021

In Breaking News

Out of an abundance of caution, the Vegas Golden Knights coaching staff will be self-isolating for Tuesday might’s game against the St. Louis Blues due to COVID-19 protocols. Vegas Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon will be behind the bench Tuesday along with members of the Silver Knights coaching staff. We will provide additional updates when appropriate. -Vegas Golden Knights

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Before joining the Golden Knights Kelly McCrimmon was the head coach, general manager, and owner of the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Manny Viveiros (head coach), Jamie Heward (assistant), Joel Ward (assistant), Fred Braithwaite (goalie), and Andrew Doty (video) are the current coaches for the Henderson Silver Knights.

As of right now, no Golden Knights players have been announced as expected to miss the game due to COVID-19 protocols. The league requires teams to release the names of any players that are scheduled to miss the game by 5PM local time.

Golden Knights Furlough Employees Due To Pandemic

By Ken Boehlke

On January 8, 2021

In News

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

The economic downturn that has crippled the country has made its way to the Vegas Golden Knights organization.

A week before the Golden Knights are set to take the ice for the 2020-21 season, the Golden Knights furloughed a number of employees.

Sources tell SinBin.vegas that number is upwards of 10 and they are members of multiple departments within the organization.

The Golden Knights released this statement.

Since the NHL pause in March, we have implemented a series of measures in order to protect the long term viability of our business. While these measures did help, they were not entirely sufficient to meet the significant challenges that our business, our city and the sports and entertainment industry as a whole face today as a result of the pandemic crisis. On Thursday, we made the difficult decision to temporarily furlough a number of our employees for a 90-day furlough period. These employees will continue to receive their health benefits during the furlough period. Our hope is that we can return to our normal operations and staffing levels in the near future once business conditions improve. -Vegas Golden Knights

Alec Martinez Is Very Easy To Root For

By Jason Pothier

On January 7, 2021

In Team Ops

“I’m smiling under my mask.” -Alec Martinez

Although the members of the media were miles away, Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez answered questions at his Zoom press conference wearing a mask.

It’s a common theme with Martinez. He understands there’s a world outside of hockey. When asked about the concerns of a short training camp, a condensed schedule, or the pressures of playing for a contender, he first qualifies his responses by comparing it to the reality that we’re all living in. It’s not just the hockey season that’s been shaken, and the 33-year-old NHL’er understands that more than anyone.

It’s just the way things are going these days. Everyone has to adapt, you’ve got to be a professional. You know a lot of people are making sacrifices. There’s a lot of hard work being put into this so we can have the opportunity to play. I’m not going to complain. -Martinez

There’s no whiff of selfish, millionaire athlete coming from Martinez. It’s the complete opposite, the defenseman sounds like an aware citizen continuing to adjust like all of us. He’s preparing for an unusual season but doing his best to adjust.

Nothing in the world right now is ideal. I don’t expect the NHL season to be any different. -Martinez

Martinez is an easy guy to root for. He takes his job seriously but takes a real-world approach. Sure, his life has been rattled by delays, negotiations, and protocols but #23 recognizes that others are in a similar predicament.

As he enters his 12th NHL season, Martinez is confident Vegas can make a deep run in the postseason. Playing alongside Shea Theodore, the veteran defenseman understands his responsibilities protecting his free-skating partner. To get the most of Theodore’s abilities, Martinez will need to be a steady wingman.

Martinez might be unaware of how his demeanor can easily connect to average, everyday Golden Knights fans. It’s hard for fanbases not to feel left out when they can only enjoy their team from their 65-inch TVs. Martinez recognizes the issues that we’re all facing.

If guys don’t like each other you don’t have chemistry then you’re not going to be successful. I don’t think that only applies to hockey, I think that’s anything in life. -Martinez

If only he could say it louder so the rest of the country can hear.

Golden Knights To Wait For Vaccine Like Everyone Else

By Jason Pothier

On December 15, 2020

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

The NHL announced last week that the league is looking into purchasing COVID-19 vaccines for the entire league. The report didn’t go over well with hockey fans, including this fanbase. However, the NHL stressed they wouldn’t skip the line when vaccines were made available. After all, it was designed to save lives and stop the spread, not to resume hockey.

For clarification…
The NHL is interested in securing vaccine when and if it’s available for private purchase.
Is it at this point? — no.
The league also is adamant they would not jump the line to do so.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) December 11, 2020

The NHL made it known they would not take vaccines away from the public. Unfortunately, the league clarified their statement after the flack they received from fans. Even vaccine providers like Pfizer went out of their way to ensure to concerned citizens that millionaire hockey players won’t jump ahead them.

If private organizations, companies or someone like the NFL or the NHL approached you to buy vaccines, would you sell to them? –Mercedes Stephenson, The West Block
Right now, we are fully committed and built our global supply plan based upon the contracts that we’ve signed with governments, and so we’re really deferring to the governments to figure out what the best way is to allocate their product. We absolutely would love to respond to all the individual inquiries we’ve received, but we really feel that government is in the best position to determine an equitable distribution among its population. -Cole Pinnow, Pfizer Canada CEO

In other words, Pfizer didn’t develop a vaccine so professional athletes can get back to work. They designed it so you can get back to work.

SinBin.vegas

Praise Be To Foley, Vegas Golden Knights Hockey Website

Tag: Covid-19

GOLDEN KNIGHTS ANNOUNCE FANS TO RETURN AT 15% CAPACITY STARTING MARCH 1

COVID Protocols Continue To Lack Consistency

Power Play Improvement Could Turn VGK From Great To Elite

Postponements Bail Out Reeling Sharks

Sifting Through The COVID Protocols As They Relate To VGK’s Current Situation

VGK COACHES IN ISOLATION; MCCRIMMON TO COACH TEAM VS STL

Golden Knights Furlough Employees Due To Pandemic

Alec Martinez Is Very Easy To Root For

Golden Knights To Wait For Vaccine Like Everyone Else

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