from Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com,

It was still a moment to savor.

The Vegas Golden Knights' season had ended with a 4-3 loss in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday. They had to watch the Washington Capitals celebrate on their home ice at T-Mobile Arena.

Yet the first one through the handshake line, center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, glided back across center ice and bent over at the waist. He ran his bare right hand along the ice and the words "INAUGURAL SEASON GOLDEN KNIGHTS." He patted the word "KNIGHTS."

Then he skated to the Stanley Cup Final logo inside the Vegas blue line where the Cup was painted. He rubbed the bowl as if it were the real thing.

One by one, his teammates skated over to where he was. Finally, the fans cheered -- louder and louder and louder -- and twirled their rally towels. The Golden Knights raised their sticks in salute and returned the applause before heading to the locker room.

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