The video evidence is limited, but it can be assumed that the Vegas Golden Knights were playing a little pregame soccer before their game against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Kicking around a soccer ball to loosen up before a game is common practice around the NHL. Losing the soccer ball in the rafters of the arena is also fairly common , perhaps more common than it should be . In fact, this isn't even the first Golden Knights soccer ball incident involving Ryan Reaves . There was a decision to be made. Get a new ball or go for the old one. Enter Reaves, William Carrier, Jon Merrill, four hockey sticks and a roll of tape.
It wasn't a complicated contraption and it was 100 percent effective. Carrier guided the extra-long stick through the grate where the ball was stuck and pushed it to freedom. Reaves was there for the rebound with Merrill patrolling the weak side in case the ball fell that way. You could tell by Reaves' smile that all was well again at T-Mobile Arena.
