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Los Angeles Kings Blogger •
If the Kings are “Learning to Win”, could this be the game that catapults them into the playoffs?
Two weeks ago in Columbus, the Kings took an early 1-0 lead, then gave it up in with less than a minute to play in the 1st period. That goal deflated the team. They lost momentum and they lost focus. Tonight, the Kings took an early 1-0 lead thanks Anze Kopitar’s 11th goal of the season, but with less than 2 seconds left, Kings killer Shane Doan opened the floodgates.
The Kings were deflated again, and it showed early in the 2nd period as Martin Handzal scored just 37 seconds in. Scottie Upshall upped the Coyotes lead to 3-1 on only their 10th shot and it looked like the 5,855 announced in attendance would watch former Kings netminder Jason LaBarbera take home another victory.
But unlike the Columbus game, the Kings brought along their secret weapon. 15 of the Kings fathers joined their sons on the trip and their sons didn’t disappoint. Ryan Smyth (with dad Jim in attendance) scored the first of his two goals with less than a minute left and coach Terry Murray had a stern message for his players between periods.
“Play better,'' he said with authortity. "Sometimes players have to be reminded of that.''
“Terry came in here between the 2nd and 3rd and he gave it to us,'' Drew Doughty said. "He told us we weren’t playing the way we were capable of, and after that I think the team stepped up to the plate.”
Having their parents in attendance should have given the players extra incentive. “They probably talked about it.” Murray said following the game. “Let’s do something special here. This is a special trip for the whole team. Our parents are here, lets dig in and get the job done.”
In the 3rd period, the Kings responded. Outshooting Phoenix 13-4, Justin Williams who returned to the lineup after missing 5 games, tied the score at 6:44 and Drew Doughty nailed down the game winner with just under five minutes to play.
“Actually, no one on their team really tried to block my shot so I had a whole lane to the net” Doughty said. On scoring in front of his father, he said, “I don’t think he’s ever seen me score an NHL goal live, so I’m sure he’s pretty excited.”
Ryan Smyth added an empty netter. “We built some character in this locker room tonight” Smyth added.
Kings are now 5-0-2 their last 7 games
Anze Kopitar added 2 assists and has retaken the scoring lead from Alexander Ovechkin.
The Coyotes didn’t have a shot on goal until 13 minutes into the 1st period.
Brad Richardson hasn’t scored a goal or registered an assist all year.
Smyth/Kopitar/Williams have 42 points in the 10 games they've played together.
TICKETS, VIDEOS & HOCKEYWOOD
lakings.com
TWITTER
hockeybuzzbarry
KINGS FAN BOARDS
letsgokings.com
kingsunderground.com
READ JON MONCRIEF
http://www.examiner.com/x-2690-Los-Angeles-Kings-Examiner
BLOG WORLD
lakingsnews.com
frozenroyalty.net
lakingsinsider.com
socaljoecal.com <--- Kings trainer writes a mean blog!
Two weeks ago in Columbus, the Kings took an early 1-0 lead, then gave it up in with less than a minute to play in the 1st period. That goal deflated the team. They lost momentum and they lost focus. Tonight, the Kings took an early 1-0 lead thanks Anze Kopitar’s 11th goal of the season, but with less than 2 seconds left, Kings killer Shane Doan opened the floodgates.
The Kings were deflated again, and it showed early in the 2nd period as Martin Handzal scored just 37 seconds in. Scottie Upshall upped the Coyotes lead to 3-1 on only their 10th shot and it looked like the 5,855 announced in attendance would watch former Kings netminder Jason LaBarbera take home another victory.
But unlike the Columbus game, the Kings brought along their secret weapon. 15 of the Kings fathers joined their sons on the trip and their sons didn’t disappoint. Ryan Smyth (with dad Jim in attendance) scored the first of his two goals with less than a minute left and coach Terry Murray had a stern message for his players between periods.
“Play better,'' he said with authortity. "Sometimes players have to be reminded of that.''
“Terry came in here between the 2nd and 3rd and he gave it to us,'' Drew Doughty said. "He told us we weren’t playing the way we were capable of, and after that I think the team stepped up to the plate.”
Having their parents in attendance should have given the players extra incentive. “They probably talked about it.” Murray said following the game. “Let’s do something special here. This is a special trip for the whole team. Our parents are here, lets dig in and get the job done.”
In the 3rd period, the Kings responded. Outshooting Phoenix 13-4, Justin Williams who returned to the lineup after missing 5 games, tied the score at 6:44 and Drew Doughty nailed down the game winner with just under five minutes to play.
“Actually, no one on their team really tried to block my shot so I had a whole lane to the net” Doughty said. On scoring in front of his father, he said, “I don’t think he’s ever seen me score an NHL goal live, so I’m sure he’s pretty excited.”
Ryan Smyth added an empty netter. “We built some character in this locker room tonight” Smyth added.
Kings are now 5-0-2 their last 7 games
Anze Kopitar added 2 assists and has retaken the scoring lead from Alexander Ovechkin.
The Coyotes didn’t have a shot on goal until 13 minutes into the 1st period.
Brad Richardson hasn’t scored a goal or registered an assist all year.
Smyth/Kopitar/Williams have 42 points in the 10 games they've played together.
TICKETS, VIDEOS & HOCKEYWOOD
lakings.com
hockeybuzzbarry
KINGS FAN BOARDS
letsgokings.com
kingsunderground.com
READ JON MONCRIEF
http://www.examiner.com/x-2690-Los-Angeles-Kings-Examiner
BLOG WORLD
lakingsnews.com
frozenroyalty.net
lakingsinsider.com
socaljoecal.com <--- Kings trainer writes a mean blog!
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