In pre-season action across the pond, the LA Kings defeated EC Red Bull Salzburg 7-6 this afternoon, behind a hat-trick by Anze Kopitar. This was the opening game of a four-team tournament called 'Red Bull Salute Invitation Tournament', that also includes HC Davos and Farjestads BK.
According to the tournament's site
(redbullssalute.com), "The Los Angeles Kings Hockey Club has been around since the National Hockey League (NHL) - the world's premier ice hockey league - was founded in 1966." They also mention that Kopitar "will now give Slovenian fans in particular something to get excited about in his rookie season with the L.A. Kings." Seems Austrians have a lot to learn about the NHL so this exposure certainly can't hurt..
The game was played on the large ice surface at Eisarena Salzburg in Austria. The local team featured some familiar names, most notably Reinhard Davis, Rick Jackman and former Kings' first rounder Josh Green.
Jason Labarbera was pulled early in the first after allowing three goals. By all accounts he has not had a great camp/pre-season which has made the goaltending dilemma extra difficult for GM Dean Lombardi.
The Kings' best goaltender thus far has been nineteen year-old Jonathan Bernier, who is too young to play in the AHL this upcoming season. I've been doing some research this week on how other young goaltenders have fared and will get a posting up in the next day or so. It's a facinating topic and one that both the Kings and Canadiens front offices are surely struggling with as the season approaches..
I'll have more later,
Danny -
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