Golden Knights recall Brandon Pirri from AHL

Brandon Pirri was back on the ice Thursday, scoring the winning goal against the Avalanche after a brief return to the American Hockey League.

The Golden Knights sent the forward back to Chicago on Sunday before the NHL’s three-day holiday break. Pirri didn’t miss a game for the Knights and didn’t play in the Chicago Wolves’ game Wednesday.

Although the Knights aren’t saying, the move appears to have been procedural. If Pirri spends 30 days on the active NHL roster or plays 10 games he would have to clear waivers to be sent to the minors. So it was in the Knights’ best interest to send him back to Chicago during the break.

“It’s a business, right? It’s understandable,” Pirri said. “I can’t control it. I just have to go out and play.”

Pirri has four goals and an assist in four games with the Knights, including the winner Thursday night in the third period. He also was the AHL’s leading scorer before being called up to fill in for an injured Max Pacioretty.

Still, Pirri didn’t sweat the move since he planned to spend the holidays in Chicago anyway. His wife Elyse is from there, and he was excited to spend the holidays with her and their infant son, who just started walking.

“I was going home either way,” Pirri said. “It was my son’s first Christmas, so I’m not missing that.”

Said coach Gerard Gallant: “He went down for Christmas break, that’s all. Don’t read too much into that.”

Golden Knights back on the ice after the holiday break fir optional morning skate. No Max Pacioretty and no Colin Miller. Brandon Pirri is here. #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/xlsyMm7AXW

— David Schoen 📰🗞🏒 (@DavidSchoenLVRJ) December 27, 2018

Gallant on World Juniors

The off day Wednesday gave Gallant the chance to sit on his couch and watch the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, which features several of his team’s prospects.

Gallant saw defenseman Erik Brannstrom score two goals for Sweden in a 2-1 win over Finland and also watched forward Cody Glass get four assists for Canada in a 14-0 win over Denmark.

“I thought Brannstrom had an unbelievable game and that’s what you expect,” Gallant said. “You don’t get two goals from a defenseman all the time, but he played real well.”

The other Knights prospects in the tournament are forward Lucas Elvenes (Sweden), forward Ivan Morozov (Russia), goaltender Jiri Patera (Czech Republic) and forward Jonas Rondbjerg (Denmark).

Reaves holds release party

Forward Ryan Reaves launched his first beer, Training Day Golden Ale, at a release party at PKWY Tavern during the Avalanche game.

Reaves worked with local company Able Baker Brewing to create the India pale ale.

Bellemare out

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare was not in uniform against the Avalanche, missing his first game of the season. Tomas Nosek took his spot as the Knights’ fourth-line center.

Gallant said it was a “personal decision” by Bellemare not to play.

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Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.