Vegas, who knocked out Florida, set new records – the team’s players told EPN Urheilu what made the champion team special

The Vegas Golden Knights were in the NHL finals for the second time, when the team managed to win their first championship. The players of the team that made history told about the special nature of their group.

The Vegas Golden Knights were finally in a class of their own in the final series of the hockey NHL. The 9–3 home win in the fifth game crowned the season of the team that played convincingly in the playoff spring.

The players of the champion team had a unified vision of what made the team the best club team in the world.

– We had a really extensive material. We were able to play any chain in any situation. It gave us a lot of confidence in different situations. Credit for the win goes to every player, striker Brett Howden told Urheilu after the victory was decided.

The star center of the team William Karlsson was on the same lines as the pier. Karlsson shined in the playoffs, as he scored no less than 11 goals and also collected 6 assist points.

– We had four great chains. Everyone was able to score, and the defense and goalkeeping were excellent. If players got injured, other players came and made up for their absence, the Swedish striker said after the match.

The Golden Knights became the fastest expansion team in NHL history to win the championship. The club’s first championship came in the sixth season. The previous record was the Philadelphia Flyers’ championship in the club’s seventh season in the series in 1974.

The attacker who played in the first chain of the team Ivan Barbashev said playing the second set showed how good this year’s champion team was. The team hammered Florida as the Golden Knights scored four goals and won shots on goal by 14-6.

– It was perhaps the best hockey I’ve ever seen us play, the forward said.

Vegas’ nine goals was a shared NHL Finals record in one game. Previously, only Detroit (1936) and Toronto (1942) have been able to do the same.

The Golden Knights scored a total of 26 hits in five Finals games, which is the fourth most of all time. In 1972, Montreal scored no less than 33 final hits on Chicago’s net, but the streak lasted six games at that time.

A dream come true

Vegas players shared credit with losing Florida, even though the series ended with a 4-1 victory. As the last team from the Eastern Conference to advance to the playoffs, the Panthers played an up-and-coming spring until the final series.

– They worked hard to reach the finals. I have a lot of respect for them, it was a tough series. I’m glad I’m in this side though, Howden alluded to the pain of the losing team.

Also William Carrier praised the Florida team’s spring as great. At the same time, the power forward gives the atmosphere of the realization of his dream.

– As a child playing on the street, I dreamed of winning the Stanley Cup, from the age of two or three. This is incredible, Carrier beamed.

In the interview, Karlsson held the newest member of his family in his arms. The forward said that after the game was over, emotions took over.

– There was huge euphoria. The emotions just exploded and I got to celebrate with my teammates, he described.

Karlsson and his wife’s first child was born the other day. The 30-year-old striker already figured out how to capture an unforgettable moment with his family.

– I’ll try to put him in the jug so I can say later that you’ve already been there. I hope he will think ten years from now that it’s a cool thing, Karlsson said cheerfully.

Howden, who scored 6+7=13 in the playoffs, was visibly upset after the victory. In addition to their teammates, Barbashev and Howden made the entire organization glow.

– I am really lucky to be part of this team. I’m grateful for the opportunity I got, Howden thanked.

– Our owner said that Vegas will win the Cup in six years and it succeeded. It’s really special to be a part of this, he concluded.