Anita and Mike Kelley pose for a photo at the Tahoe Knight Monsters’ first-ever home playoff game. The Kelleys attend Knight Monsters games as fans and work at the Tahoe Blue Events Center part-time.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
Logan Nelson saw an opportunity in overtime Wednesday night.
While the Wichita Thunder was changing lines, the 31-year-old grabbed a pass from Brennan Kapcheck and went to a move he’s scored on a few times this season.
The Rogers, Minn., native went wide to his forehand, sneaking his way inside of the final defender and cutting into the crease.
A quick move to his backhand in front of net allowed the ECHL veteran to go five-hole on the Thunder goalie, ending Tahoe’s first-ever home playoff game in walk-off fashion.
“A couple forwards go through a line change there,” said Nelson. “I knew if I got to the blue (line), I'd have a good chance if I could get by that D and it's overtime, right? You just want to get the puck to the net so try and move your feet as much as you can and as soon as I see an opening, I try and take it. It's a hard goal score, but you just got to keep trying.”
Nelson now leads the team with seven points in the postseason (three goals, four assists).
“He’s done that a handful of times this year already,” said Tahoe head coach Alex Loh. “To be honest, not surprised he found a way to get it done. It's obviously huge for him and our group to step up in a huge situation and execute. It’s a goal he’s scored a few times this year and obviously a perfect time to get another one.”
(A Knight Monsters fan yells her support during Game 3 of Tahoe’s first-round postseason series against the Wichita Thunder. Tahoe holds a 3-0 series lead after a 5-4 overtime win Wednesday. / Ron Harpin)
ATMOSPHERE AND COMMUNITY
After 72 regular-season games — 36 of which were held at the Tahoe Blue Event Center — Wednesday night’s overtime thriller was the ideal way for the Knight Monsters to finish the franchise’s first-ever postseason game.
Local fans have flocked to the arena for Tahoe’s first season, and one local couple has found a way to take advantage of every aspect they can.
Anita and Mike Kelley, who live in Myers, Calif., work as event staff for the Knight Monsters, but took the evening off to catch the team’s first home playoff game.
“When the playoffs came (it) was like, ‘okay, we're going to take a night off from working and we're just going to come as fans and cheer the team on,’” said Anita Kelley.
Even when he is working as a bag checker, Mike Kelley says he can’t go very long without running into a familiar face.
“We also have a lot of fun interacting with the community,” said Mike. “You know, when I'm doing bag checker or anything like that, half the people come through are people I know; they're my friends. It's really a community event to come to a game.”
The draw for the Kelleys extends from friendly faces to team interaction with young athletes and fans.
The local youth team — the Grizzlies — serve as the ice crew during pauses in action.
(The Tahoe Knight Monsters celebrated at the far boards after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime in the franchise’s first-ever playoff game. Logan Nelson’s game-winner gives the Knight Monsters a 3-0 series lead over Wichita. / Ron Harpin)
MONSTER ATHLETES
It doesn’t hurt to have the ECHL Rookie of the Year in Sloan Stanick or one of the league’s best goaltenders in Jesper Vikman.
“My wife is a huge fan of Vikman,” said Mike Kelley.
“I’ve never been a big sports person, but having this team here in Tahoe is just the biggest boon to the whole economy; all the locals. I can't run into anybody in town that hasn't come to a game,” said Anita Kelley.
The players have appreciated the local turnout, too.
Wednesday’s mid-week playoff game might not have been a sellout, but weekend seats at the rink have been in high demand.
“The rink was pretty much full tonight. So it's pretty fun to see all our fans supporting us,” said Simon Pinard, who tallied a pair of goals in the Game 3 win.
The Knight Monsters’ head coach was a big supporter of the home-ice energy, as well.
“It was excellent. They were so loud. They do such a good job of being enthusiastic, no matter what,” said Loh. “They really got on our side and I thought we played off the momentum that they gave us.”
(A pair of Tahoe Knight Monster fans wave their towels at Wednesday’s ECHL playoff game. / Ron Harpin)