Saturday saw one of the biggest upsets in hockey this season. Granted, it doesn't have the same fervor or sex appeal as "believing in miracles" and beating some Commies. However, this upset was against the reigning NCAA D1 men's ice hockey champions. The winner? The UNLV Runnin' Rebels.
WE JUST BEAT THE DEFENDING NCAA D1 NATIONAL CHAMPS. pic.twitter.com/2FiqFXXO01
— UNLV Rebel Hockey (@UNLVRebelHockey) December 29, 2024
That's right, folks. UNLV men's ice hockey defeated the Denver Pioneers, 7-6, in a shootout. The Rebels dominated the game after two periods, leading 5-1 and outshooting the Pioneers by a total of 39-12. Imagine how crazy the UNLV hockey social media admin felt after the eventful game.
What's more, this wasn't the only major upset of the week. Latvia pulled a major upset over Canada in the 2025 World Juniors, shocking the Canadians, 3-2. The result happened... in a shootout. It's like some things are meant to happen in patterns, eh?
But it goes back to a broader point about the city of Las Vegas. It's something most snowbirds in cities like Montreal and Minneapolis don't like admitting. Is Las Vegas... *GASP* a hockey town?
It seems Adin Hill and the Vegas Golden Knights have made it that way, creating a shock wave of success throughout the city. In a town where the Las Vegas Raiders were supposed to be center stage, the Golden Knights stood tall. Thus, the hockey scene reigned supreme while the Raiders continually blow their chances at a No. 1 pick.
Everyone knows about the Vegas Golden Knights... but what about the other teams?
Before the Golden Knights took the NHL (and sports world) by storm, Las Vegas had some sporadic hockey teams. That included memorable groups such as the Las Vegas Wranglers of ECHL fame. They operated from 2003 to 2014 before shutting down because they couldn't find a viable arena to play in.
Then there was the Las Vegas Thunder of the infamous IHL. They played from 1993 to 1999, with their demise coming from UNLV officials refusing to negotiate with team leaders regarding extending their stay. The team had some notable alumni from its ranks, including goaltender Curtis Joseph and center Alexei Yashin.
Bizarrely enough, the Thunder shared in some of the same success as the Golden Knights in their early years. The only season they didn't qualify for the IHL playoffs was 1998-99, their last season. Still, the Thunder won the Huber Trophy twice (1993-94 and 1995-96) for having the most points during the IHL regular season.
Some old-school fans will remember the Las Vegas Gamblers (or Outlaws) of the California-Nevada Hockey League days. This team was around from 1968 to 1975, dealing with the frustrating competition of Elvis Presley and Liberace as Las Vegas entertainment.
Seeing the other teams succeed now is a promising sign for the Las Vegas hockey scene
Nowadays, the Vegas Golden Knights are standing tall atop the NHL. They're currently tied for second in the league in points (51) and already have some rich history behind them. That includes six Stanley Cup playoff appearances, four semifinal appearances, two Stanley Cup Final berths, and a 2023 championship. Mind you, this was all in seven seasons.
But they're not the only successful team. Their AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, made the Calder Cup Finals in their first season in Nevada. Granted, the team has struggled recently. However, they've grabbed attention in the Las Vegas area with an impressive first-year campaign in the sister city.
Of course, there's the Runnin' Rebels making waves with a monumental upset over the defending champions. However, this all goes back to the Golden Knights being a massive success story in the NHL. Without that success story, where would UNLV men's ice hockey be? Where would the Henderson Silver Knights be? You wouldn't hear about these teams without a certain NHL team shocking the world, would you?