Golden Knights rookie Cody Glass adjusts to life on road in NHL
Cody Glass experienced his share of long road trips while playing in the major-junior Western Hockey League. But several bus rides through the Pacific Northwest and Canada over the past few years didn’t completely prepare the Golden Knights rookie forward for the rigors of an NHL roadie.
Glass found that out the past few days.
“It’s a little bit different, especially just going through time changes and stuff like that,” Glass said prior to Tuesday’s 2-1 shootout win at Chicago. “But I feel like I’m doing a good job of getting my recovery, getting my rest. I think just with the games and everything, obviously it’s a very hard schedule that we have right now.”
The Knights were off Wednesday following a road trip that hit two time zones and featured three games in four days. That completed a stretch in which they played seven games in 11 days, including two back-to-backs.
Glass, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2017 draft, has produced two goals and four assists in 11 games. Entering Wednesday, he was tied for fourth in rookie scoring with Vancouver defenseman Quinn Hughes.
“We’re real happy with his progress. We like what he’s doing for us,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “Both ends of the rink, he’s played good. He’s worked hard. He’s created some real good plays.”
Glass, a natural center, made a relatively smooth transition to right wing and will be tough to supplant from the third line, even when injured wing Alex Tuch returns.
Wing Valentin Zykov is serving a 20-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. His future with the club remains in doubt. Brandon Pirri, who is visibly pressing, has one assist in eight games.
Glass said he is getting more comfortable. “But, then again, (being sent to the minors is) kind of always in the back of your head.You never really know. Just try to play hard every night and just trying to take advantage of every opportunity I get.”
Making moves
The Knights reassigned goaltender Oscar Dansk to the American Hockey League and recalled goaltender Garret Sparks.
Dansk allowed six goals on 37 shots in Monday’s 6-2 loss at Philadelphia. Sparks had 39 saves in the Chicago Wolves’ 3-2 win over Texas on Wednesday and owns a 2-2-1 record with a 2.15 goals-against average and .936 save percentage.
Defenseman Nic Hague also was assigned to the AHL to play in the Wolves’ game and was recalled by the Knights afterward.
The 20-year-old rookie was a healthy scratch for all three games on the road trip that finished Tuesday.
VR experience opens
The Knights said VGK VR, a virtual-reality experience located inside City National Arena, will open Thursday. The technology from international VR company Sense Arena allows participants of all skill levels to practice shooting, passing and overall hockey awareness.
“We’re excited for VGK VR to be the latest addition to City National Arena,” team president Kerry Bubolz said in a statement. “Sense Arena’s cutting-edge technology will provide hockey players of all skill levels with an innovative way to develop their skills, while giving fans a perspective like never before.”
VGK VR will run from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. It also will be open this Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. before beginning its regular operating hours next week.
Cost is $10 for two games, $20 for five games or $40 for 20-minute diagnostic testing, which includes an account that remembers participants’ skill level for future games.
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Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.