Golden Knights Can Make History      

   We seldom watch hockey, but this is special.

   Some night - June 4, 7, 10 or 13 - North American pro sports could register its first-ever championship by an expansion team. In their first year of existence, the Vegas Golden Knights have reached the Stanley Cup final series. So?

   So, the National Hockey League makes its champion navigate the toughest course in all professional sports. To earn the Cup, a team must win four best-of-seven series. And this, after playing 60 some rough and tumble games starting in the fall. Talk about "animals..." 

   We doubt that any old timers, before mouth guards and helmets, escaped with their teeth intact. 

   The closest thing to Vegas was the 1950 Cleveland Browns, who won the NFL title in their first year, playing 14 games. Lou Groza kicked a field goal with 28 seconds left to beat the Los Angeles Rams, 30-28, as my dad and I listened on the radio. 

   But, the Browns already had played four years in the All-America Football Conference. 

   Last night in Las Vegas - it wasn't a great night for goalies - in Game One the upstarts beat the Washington Capitals 6-4.  

   The Golden Knights have had the most successful inaugural season in North American pro sports. Much credit goes to Vegas GM George McPhee, formerly an executive with the Caps, who had fired him!!! 

   He built the Knights from the ground up. McPhee had drafted 13 of the 21 Washington players who have spent the most time on the ice this season. 

   Game Two is tomorrow night. If the series goes to seven games, the winner will be crowned Wednesday, June 13. 

      Jimmy