Blogs Stanley Cup Final 2018 A history of Lil Jons NHL f

The Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals combined for 62 shots, shots, shots, shots, shots in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night, but before the opening puck drop, a local entertainer and long-time hockey fan kicked off the festivities.Jonathan Smith, more commonly known as rapper Lil Jon, performed outside T-Mobile Arena prior to the start of the series. It's a common sight for Golden Knights fans; Smith, who has residency in Las Vegas, has been a fixture during Vegas' inaugural NHL season supporting the expansion franchise.As Smith performed his 2013 hit "Turn Down for What" he led the crowd outside the arena in a "Go Knights, go" chant, setting the stagefor."I'm a resident in Vegas as far as working, so I'm here every week,," Smith said to NBC's Kathryn Tappen during an intermi sion interview. "This team is not just for Vegas, for people that are born in Vegas and live here, but also for people that work here all of the time. This city is a part Corey Brewer Jersey of us as well."I love the team and I'm here to support. I'm just so happy for these guys."The got a front row seat as and fired up the crowd before Game 1 of the Final. NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) GOLDEN STANDARD:Tappen quickly pointed out that Smith is not new to the NHL rink. An Atlanta native, Smith said he grew up rooting for the since-relocated Atlanta Flames (now the Calgary Flames) before turning his attention to the since-relocated Elgin Baylor Jersey Thrashers."Later on when I was an adult I used to take my son to the Atlanta Thrashers game, and that's when I really kind of got back into hockey again," Smith said. "The league kind of noticed that I had interest in the game, and they started to show me a lot of love."2006: The Flames/Thrashers daysSmith grew up in Atlanta, so being a Flames fan was a natural fit. At least until 1980, when the team relocated to Calgary when Smith was nine years old.But 19 years later, Atlanta got an NHL franchise back when the expansion Thrashers opened shop. Here's Smith in 2006 sitting on the gla s of a Thrashers-Rangers game. You know you're a devoted fan when you wear the jersey of the previously relocated franchise from the city. While those Thrashers never won a Stanley Cupand reached the playoffs just once in their 11 years spent in the South, it didn't stop Smith from getting to enjoy hockey's most important trophy. Here's Smith atclub b.e.d. in 2006 posing with Lord Stanley, holding his signature "Crunk Juice" goblet. The Thrashers eventually moved to Winnipeg after the 2010-11 season, but if Smith had his way, the team would have remained in in Atlanta. It led to rumors that Smith was considering making a financial investment and purchasing a stake James Worthy Jersey of the team, though ."Thats a lot of money to buy a profe sional hockey team," he said."Ill help themout with some awarene s, though."2012: In need of a hockey homeAfter the Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg, Smith became something of a hockey migrant. It began in Montreal, wherehe posed for pictures with Canadiens players, including all-star defenseman P.K. Subban. NEW Habs lucky charm! Thanks for the support!...WHAT?? I said thanks for the support! ... OK!!!!! Haha P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) Like many entertainers, Smith's music career took him out west, where he lived in Los Angeles for a number of years. In 2008, a Kings-Blue Jackets game.2017:A Golden fanNow with his work life taking him to Las Vegas --like many hockey fans who call the city home --Smith jumped onto the Golden Knights train as soon as it parked in the station.Have no fear, though there's visual evidence that Smith got in on the ground floorand is not a bandwagon fan of the franchise that has yet to turn a year old.Count em up:) Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) Los Angeles Lakers Jersey "Vegas shows me a lot of love. I've been coming to Vegas for so many years working in Vegas, so many years I might as well live here," Smith said during an intermi sion showwhen the Golden Knights improved to 7-0-0 early in the regular season.Stanley Cup Final: He again detailedthe origins of his fanhood and explained one of the most interesting images from that Stanley Cup photo shoot from 2006, one with Lord Stanley riding shotgun with the top down."They let me put the Stanley Cup in my car," Smith said. "I got hookups. I got connects." Now, like many Vegas hockey fans, Smith can taste a championship, three victories away from pulling off the improbable feat in this the franchise's first season."It's been awesome. Every time I'm in the arena, there's so much energy in this place.I'm glad you guys are able to come and experience hockey in Vegas like this," Smith told Tappen during intermi sion Monday night."This is how we do it in Vegas. It's always crazier in Vegas, and for these guys, they fought Kurt Rambis Jersey their butts off all year to get here to the Stanley Cup Final, and I'm just so happy for them, the team, and the city."