Tag: T-Mobile Arena Page 1 of 12

The Exact Reason And Science Behind The Ice Delay At T-Mobile Arena During Golden Knights vs. Flames

On April 3, 2026

(Photo Credit: @Althea415 on X/Twitter)

Last night during the 2nd intermission, the game between the Golden Knights and Calgary Flames was delayed for more than half an hour due to an issue with the ice. It was confusing for not only the fans watching but also the players who said they were ready to come out for the 3rd period, but were then told to turn around.

What actually happened wasn’t anything that occurred while the game was taking place, nor was it a mistake by the crew operating the Zambonis. Instead, it was an unfortunate product of the circumstances surrounding all that’s happening at T-Mobile Arena this month.

To begin explaining this, it’s important to first understand how the graphics under the ice are placed so everyone in the rink and on television can see them. For the solid colors, such as the blue lines, the goal crease, and the faceoff circles, they are painted onto the concrete that lies below the ice. For all of the more complex items, such as the center logo, the center red line, and each of the advertisement logos, they are printed on vinyl and placed in their respective areas under the ice.

Once they are all laid properly, the rink is flooded with a thin layer of water and then frozen. This happens over and over again until the ice builds up to be around an inch and three-quarters thick. Of course, ice is clear, thus the graphics below the ice are easy for everyone to see.

Then, when each period ends, the Zambonis drive onto the ice to make two laps. First, a series of blades cuts the ice so the surface returns to being flat. Then, they drop a layer of water, which quickly freezes, on top of the now flat surface to build the ice back up to the correct thickness.

Ok, so, now fast forward to last night.

When the Zamboni drove over the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) logo, the blade that flattens the surface caught a piece of the vinyl the logo is printed on. It’s pretty clear to see by the little slit in the V. However, you’re probably asking yourself, how did the blade cut through 1.75” of ice to catch the logo?

T-Mobile Arena Named Toughest To Play In As Visiting Team In 2024 NHLPA Player Poll

By Ken Boehlke

On April 12, 2024

In T-Mobile Arena

Each season the NHLPA releases the results of an anonymous poll given to players on a wide variety of topics. Different Golden Knights players, the team, the city of Las Vegas, and T-Mobile Arena have named over the course of the last seven years and it happened again this season.

T-Mobile Arena was also named among the arenas with the best ice in the league, garnering 5% of the vote for 5th place. It’s the 5th year VGK’s home rink has been given this honor.

Here are the results including Vegas over the previous six seasons.

2022-23
Best Ice: T-Mobile Arena (5th place, 6%)
Best Road City: Las Vegas (1st Place, 31.7%)
Best Locker Room Guy: Phil Kessel (T-2nd Place, 2.7%)

2021-22
Best Ice: T-Mobile Arena (T-4th Place, 5.9%)
Best Road City: Las Vegas (1st Place, 30.6%)
Best Hair: William Karlsson (2nd Place, 7.9%)

2020-21
Best Goalie: Marc-Andre Fleury (2nd Place, 8.9%)

2019-20
Best Goalie: Marc-Andre Fleury (3rd Place, 8.9%)
Best Trash Talker: Ryan Reaves (3rd Place, 11.1%)
Worst Trash Talker: Nick Cousins (4th Place, 5.6%)
Best Golfer: Mark Stone (5th Place, 3.8%)
Best Visitors Dressing Room: T-Mobile Arena (2nd Place, 26.4%)
Best Jersey: Vegas Golden Knights (T-2nd Place, 6.8%)
Best Ice: T-Mobile Arena (4th Place, 8.7%)

2018-19
Best Goalie: Marc-Andre Fleury (4th Place, 6.5%)
Best TV Analyst When Retired: Ryan Reaves (3rd Place, 2.4%)
Best Trash Talker: Ryan Reaves (3rd Place, 5.5%)
Best Arena Atmosphere: T-Mobile Arena (1st Place, 42.5%)
Best Ice: T-Mobile Arena (5th Place, 4.7%)
Best Hair: William Karlsson (3rd Place, 5.7%)

2017-18
Toughest Player: Ryan Reaves (1st Place, 44.7%)
Best Coach To Play For: Gerard Gallant (3rd Place, 11.6%)

Golden Knights Thriving At Home

By Ken Boehlke

On January 13, 2024

In Stats

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

There’s no place like home. Dorothy said it first, the Golden Knights are saying it now.

Halfway through the schedule, the Golden Knights currently boast the 3rd best home record in the NHL. They are 15-4-2 at the friendly confines of T-Mobile Arena and have outscored their opponents 69-48 in the 21 games.

VGK have scored first in 14 of the 21 games played at home and they’ve gone on to win all but two of them. They’ve held the lead at the end of the 1st period in eight and after the 2nd in 11, and they’ve held on to win every single game. Even when they find themselves behind, things tend to turn around at home. VGK have trailed after one period three times, they are 2-0-1 in those games. They’ve trailed after two on five occasions, and they are a decent 2-2-1.

All of these numbers flip on the road. The Golden Knights have scored first just nine times in 21 games away from home. They are 5-3-1 when they do, just 4-6-2 when they don’t. They’ve led after the 1st period six times, but have won just three of them. And they’ve trailed after two periods in eight of the 21 games and went on to lose all eight.

We’re on a bit of a run here that we need to stop the bleeding on the road. -Bruce Cassidy

The number that jumps out the most in the home and away splits for the Golden Knights is goals against. Away from home, they’ve allowed 67 goals against, for 3.2 per game. At home, they’ve allowed 19 fewer, just 48 or 2.3 per game. Vegas goalies have stopped 92.3% of shots at home while posting a save percentage of just 89.8% on the road.

Most of the damage has come directly in front of the goal. At home, Vegas has outscored opponents 35-25 in high-danger goals. On the road, they’ve been outscored 33-36. Nearly the entire difference has come at 5-on-5. The Golden Knights have actually scored more high-danger goals away than they have at home (25 away, 20 home), but they’ve allowed far more on the road than at home (24 away, 15 home).

The numbers say what they say, but the head coach doesn’t feel like the team’s play has been any better or worse at home than away, just the results.

Have I noticed a difference? Not really. I’ve noticed we’re better at home at finding ways to win. Our overall play, usage, all those things I don’t think it’s been different. There’s none of that going on with our personnel decisions, it’s just how it’s played out. -Cassidy

The Golden Knights continue at home tonight with a division matchup against the Flames. They’ll play three more at T-Mobile Arena next week as well before hitting the road for the difficult New York swing that tripped them up a year ago.

Ranking The 7 Years Of Center Circles

By Ken Boehlke

On August 26, 2023

In T-Mobile Arena

Earlier this week the Golden Knights unveiled the new center circle for this season’s games at T-Mobile Arena. It’s the seventh consecutive season Vegas will see a new center circle in the neutral zone. Let’s go back over all seven and rank them from best to worst.

#7 – Year 5

It’s kind of unfair because I actually really do like this design, but it’s a flower, and they put it in the center of the ice for the season right after the front office jettisoned the most popular and influential player in franchise history… who also happened to garner the nickname Flower. The red is a great touch, the use of the filigree design in the logo is a plus, and it has a sort of desert feel. But… It’s a flower. There’s just no escaping it.

#6 – Year 4

I’ve honestly never understood this one. What exactly is the design? It kind of looks like it could be something close to a spade or a club on a playing card, but I see an inkblot more so than anything (and you never want my thoughts on inkblots). The inner circle cutting the entire graphic into essentially three circles is just too much for me too. The stars are nice though.

#5 – Year 1

This is really just a nostalgic thing. Obviously, there’s nothing to this design and there’s no doubt it’s the worst red-line design in team history too, but come on, how can you not love anything and everything Year 1? What’s going on with the spacing on the word “Arena” too? Oh well, Year 1 > Flower.

#4 – Year 6

This design is completely saved by the glow-in-the-dark aspect. The nod to the Reverse Retro jerseys is nice (those jerseys are amazing), it’s just the color that’s a little odd. That being said, a two-tone VGK logo always makes me happy. I’ve always liked the two-tone logo better than the actual logo with all four colors.

#3 – Year 2

This is what a center circle is meant to look like in the NHL. It’s not over-the-top, yet it still gets in all of the elements we’re looking for. Have to love the Sword Star logo making multiple appearances too. Clean, precise, nice.

#2 – Year 3

This one is spectacular. Whereas the last one is what most teams would consider a standard center circle, this one fits what Vegas does for theirs. The pattern around the outside is perfect, there’s a ton of gold, and the colors match brilliantly. Honestly, I thought this one would never be topped.

#1 – Year 7

Absolutely stunning. Personally, I’m a fan of celebrating the heck out of a championship season. I want massive banners all over the arena, use the words “Stanley Cup Champions” literally every time they say Golden Knights, and wear the patch on the jersey until the stitching wears out. This though, oh my goodness, it’s so much better than all of that. The design borrows from the Stanley Cup, as if Vegas painted the Cup gold. It’s subtle, yet arrogant. The perfect combination for the reigning, defending, undisputed champions of the world.

**Stick tap to TheFaceoff.net for the images. It’s worth a click over to the site to see the full image of each season’s rink. Really impressive graphics to give you a nice trip down memory lane.**

5 Most Anticipated Home Games

By Ken Boehlke

On August 22, 2023

In Fans

We’re just 49 days away from the Golden Knights beginning their quest to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions. Today, single-game tickets went on sale to the general public and there are plenty of seats available right now to see the reigning champs.

Hopefully, you are able to go to all the games, or at least many of them, but if you have to pick just one, here are the five best home games on the schedule this season.

5) December 28th, 2023 vs Los Angeles Kings

First off, this is the final game for the Golden Knights before they head up to Seattle for the Winter Classic. It also falls in a spot in the schedule where there aren’t many games in Vegas. The previous home game is on December 17th and the following one is not until January 4th which means this matchup with the Kings is the only home game for 18 days.

The bigger part of this though is that this is the third and final matchup of the season against the Los Angeles Kings. LA spent a lot of assets this summer looking to upgrade their roster and they are one of the most likely candidates to challenge the Golden Knights for the Pacific crown. It’s a difficult spot against a difficult opponent with a signature game on the horizon. If VGK can win this game, it should be a statement.

VGK Fans Eyeing Home Ice Gentlemen’s Sweep

By Jason Pothier

On June 12, 2023

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: Ken Boehlke, SinBin.vegas)

After four Stanley Cup Finals games, the current situation couldn’t have set up any better for Vegas Golden Knights fans. Their favorite hockey team is 60 minutes away from hoisting the city’s first Stanley Cup trophy. Along with the Las Vegas Aces, the Golden Knights have a chance on Tuesday to deliver the second professional sports championship in city and state history.

"The fans should enjoy their moment. They've been behind this team for 6 years now.
You play for the guys in the room for your family and for the organization but the crest represents the fan base and they're why we're here. So we want to make sure we do right by them." -Cassidy
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) June 11, 2023

Funny enough, Stanley Cup champions tend to end a series on the road. The Golden Knights can buck that trend a win in Game 5. Since 2000, 10 teams were presented the 124-year-old trophy on home ice, and only three over the past 10 seasons. That rare occurrence can happen for a fourth time in front of passionate home fans on Tuesday.

SCF Winning Team – Home/Road Clinching Game Since 2013

2022: COL – Road
2021: TB – Home
2020: TB – Neutral
2019: STL – Road
2018: WAS – Road
2017: PIT – Road
2016: PIT – Road
2015: CHI – Home
2014: LA – Home
2013: CHI – Road

Tampa Bay snapped the five-year road stretch in 2021 when they defeated the visiting Montreal Canadiens in five games. The Golden Knights could match the Lightning’s approach tomorrow night from T-Mobile Arena.

Kessel, Vegas, T-Mobile Arena Ice Mentioned In 2023 NHLPA Players Poll

By Ken Boehlke

On March 22, 2023

In Team Ops

Every year the NHLPA releases the results of an anonymous poll given to players on a wide variety of topics. This year, 626 players participated in the 14-question survey.

As usual, Vegas and Golden Knights players are commonly found among the results. The strongest year in VGK history in regards to mentions in the poll was 2019-20 when there were seven mentions. This year there are just three, but they are a powerful trio.

This is the second consecutive year the question has been on the poll, and unsurprisingly Las Vegas has dominated both years. Vegas actually took a larger share of the vote this year getting 31.7% while it came in just over 30% last season. 193 players out of the 609 who answered the question selected Vegas.

A pair of familiar names make the cut on this one. Kessel was selected by 12 of the 448 players polled. He’s not the only Kessel on the list either. Phil’s sister Amanda was named among the female players NHLers would most like to play with.

Finally, the ice. T-Mobile Arena has always had a stellar reputation in this category. The question has been asked four out of the last six years and T-Mobile has been in the Top 5 each and every time. This year’s 6% is the second largest share Vegas has ever received, only behind a 4th place 8.7% finish in 2019-20.

Here are all of the resuts including Vegas over the six years the Golden Knights have been in the league. You can see the full poll here.

2022-23

Best Ice: T-Mobile Arena (5th place, 6%)
Best Road City: Las Vegas (1st Place, 31.7%)
Best Locker Room Guy: Phil Kessel (T-2nd Place, 2.7%)

2021-22

Best Ice: T-Mobile Arena (T-4th Place, 5.9%)
Best Road City: Las Vegas (1st Place, 30.6%)
Best Hair: William Karlsson (2nd Place, 7.9%)

2020-21

Best Goalie: Marc-Andre Fleury (2nd Place, 8.9%)

2019-20

Best Goalie: Marc-Andre Fleury (3rd Place, 8.9%)
Best Trash Talker: Ryan Reaves (3rd Place, 11.1%)
Worst Trash Talker: Nick Cousins (4th Place, 5.6%)
Best Golfer: Mark Stone (5th Place, 3.8%)
Best Visitors Dressing Room: T-Mobile Arena (2nd Place, 26.4%)
Best Jersey: Vegas Golden Knights (T-2nd Place, 6.8%)
Best Ice: T-Mobile Arena (4th Place, 8.7%)

2018-19

Best Goalie: Marc-Andre Fleury (4th Place, 6.5%)
Best TV Analyst When Retired: Ryan Reaves (3rd Place, 2.4%)
Best Trash Talker: Ryan Reaves (3rd Place, 5.5%)
Best Arena Atmosphere: T-Mobile Arena (1st Place, 42.5%)
Best Ice: T-Mobile Arena (5th Place, 4.7%)
Best Hair: William Karlsson (3rd Place, 5.7%)

2017-18

Toughest Player: Ryan Reaves (1st Place, 44.7%)
Best Coach To Play For: Gerard Gallant (3rd Place, 11.6%)