HENDERSON, Nev. – The Vegas Golden Knights hosted the Anaheim Ducks at The Dollar Loan Center on Friday night, the first of three games the club will play in the 2023 NHL Rookie Faceoff Series. The Ducks emerged victorious, winning 4-2 in front of the Vegas home crowd.
The NHL Rookie Faceoff is an annual tournament showcasing teams’ top prospects, marking the beginning of training camp and providing a spotlight for players who could potentially suit up in the major leagues. A number of these players will start their season playing in the AHL.
The Ducks opened up the scoring on a shorthanded breakaway by forward Coulson Pitre (2023 ANA 3rd rd., 65th pick). Pitre scored 60 points in 59 games played for the OHL’s Flint Firebirds last season.
Tristan Luneau (2022 ANA 2nd rd., 53rd pick) would score his first of two goals just a few minutes later, assisted by highly touted 2nd overall pick in the 2023 draft Leo Carlsson.
The Knights tallied the only goal in the second period off a patented Brendan Brisson one-timer. Vegas’ first-round pick in the 2020 draft, Brisson had 37 points in 58 games played last season for the Henderson Silver Knights.
Undrafted forward Ty Cheveldayoff tied the game early in the third period, beating the Ducks’ goaltender glove side from the left-wing circle.
The lead wouldn’t last long, as Luneau scored his second of the game about two minutes later. Pavel Mintyukov (2022 ANA 1st rd., 10th pick) sealed the deal later in the period with a 5-on-3 power-play goal.
Check out this photo gallery from Field Pass Hockey’s Henderson Silver Knights Photographer RJ Forbus, for highlights from the game.
