Expansion team. That’s what the Golden Knights are and will continue to be throughout this entire season, but there are many ways to frame those two words.
They can be used in a historical context.
Full List Of Expansion Teams With 8 Wins In First 10 Games
1. Us
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 31, 2017
They can be used as an excuse, as Gerard Gallant did after a preseason loss to the Kings.
“We’re an expansion team. We’re going to work hard and try to get better every day. -Gerard Gallant
Or, as they were tonight, they can be used as a kick in the ass for a team that has thrown away back-to-back games, and have a coach who isn’t happy about it.
We played a great two periods. Until that penalty, we were in control of the game and playing well. They scored a goal to make it 4-3, and the rest of the period we looked like an expansion team. That’s what happened. They took it to us. -Gallant
Gallant was as unhappy as we’ve ever seen him. He watched his team squander a 4-2 third-period lead due to stupid penalties, turnovers, and a lack of the aggressiveness that got them the lead in the first place.
I think I like angry Turk. (Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
The e-word tonight was a slap in the face to the players who have taken that expansion team status and raised the bar to something much better. Gallant threw the e-word out there tonight to fire up his team after a pair of ugly losses.
Previously, those two words were almost a curse word in my book. I’ve been waiting for Gallant to use it as an excuse at every turn of the season. Today, he did the exact opposite. He used it as a motivator, and that’s exactly what it should be.
That’s two nights in a row we pissed away points. -Gallant
The Golden Knights are an expansion team, no matter what anyone says, but that doesn’t mean they have to play like one, and Turk isn’t going to let them do it without them hearing about it.
I love it.
Ian Sharp
Good article. I was a bit surprised, and disappointed, that Brad Hunt was scratched. Clearly Shea Theodore deserves a spot on this team but I also felt Hunt has played extremely well and shouldn’t be the odd man out. Lagace was thrown to the wolves in the third today. Cheers
Scott Skeels
Cool stuff Ken. We looked pretty good the 1st two periods. Decision making in third was pretty weak.
CHRIS MADSEN
As I have shared with you previously, Ken, the use of the “E-word” during our inaugural season with the Ducks, resulted in at least a $50.00 fine–and that was just for the announcers!..the players were hit somewhat higher, if I recall correctly. Delighted to see that Turk isn’t allowing his club “the crutch”, too.