Logan Thompson wasn’t having it.
The Golden Knights goaltender was bumped by Anaheim Ducks right wing Frank Vatrano having already secured the puck in the second period of Friday’s matinee matchup. Thompson didn’t like it. So he took matters into his own hands.
The 25-year-old rookie rose to his feet and delivered a two-arm shove that knocked Vatrano to the ice in front of the announced crowd of 18,036 at T-Mobile Arena.
It wasn’t exactly a play out of a goaltending clinic. But it was a great representation of Thompson’s competitive fire, which keeps pushing him to success no matter what obstacle is in his way.
The latest example? His second shutout, a 29-save effort in a 4-0 win against the Ducks that improved the Knights’ record to 7-2.
“He’s been awesome,” said left wing Reilly Smith, who scored his 100th goal with the team as part of the victory. “He’s just picking up more and more confidence every game. It’s great to see.”
Thompson made it to the NHL the hard way. He was undrafted, spent a year in Canadian college hockey and had to fight for every opportunity. He seemed to be enjoying the moment Friday, from showing off every glove save to talking trash with Ducks center Trevor Zegras after the whistle.
He’s playing well, too. Thompson became the first goaltender to get two shutouts this season. His .943 save percentage ranks fifth in the NHL. He held the Ducks off the board while Smith and centers William Karlsson, Nicolas Roy and Chandler Stephenson scored.
The shutout means the Knights are allowing the fewest goals per game (1.78) in the NHL this season. They’ve given up two or fewer six times, and never more than three. That’s a credit to their goaltending, but Thompson deferred credit.
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