The prospect of overtime and a shootout couldn't have been the least bit exciting for two teams who had already traveled 7,000-plus miles and two cities in five days.
But years from now, these players won't be the story of the NHL's first-ever games in China. Instead, it will be those handful of fans who discovered the excitement of hockey in their first 3v3, in LA's 4-3 shootout victory over Vancouver. It will be that future NHL star who was sitting in these stands.
Today, however, we'll focus on a few players, starting with Jonny Brodzinski, who closed Beijing with a bang:
Jonny Brodzinski's game winning goal means that all fans in LA finally get some sleep 🙌 pic.twitter.com/18uX7BwGuH
— LA Kings (@LAKings) September 23, 2017
It was a much-needed boost for the St. Cloud State sniper, who hasn't really been getting his chances through three pre-season games. Expected to seriously challenge for a roster spot this September, he's yet to make a convincing case.
There have been issues aside from scoring, such as this staple-your-butt-on-the-bench miscue:
At his best, he's also tenacious on the puck -- like here, when the 6'1" winger mugs 6'6" Patrick Wiercioch:
On the blueline, Oscar Fantenberg continues to impress with his consistently crisp puck-moving. But for those unsure about his ability to defend down low (raises hand), he showed well in Beijing.
Here, Fantenberg prevents Henrik Sedin from establishing position in front of Darcy Kuemper:
In my mind, he's leading the running right now for LA's seventh defenseman to start the regular season.
While praising Fantenberg, Stevens also made this interesting comment, presumably about Kurtis MacDermid, "We had one other option on defense, but we really wanted to see [Fantenberg] again."
MacDermid was the only Kings skater to not play during the trip to China.
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Here are sights and sounds from two unbelievable days in Beijing:
9/22/17
The scene from Beijing's NHL Fan Fest #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/4OE3O6xlCs
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 22, 2017
Kelli Stack, Brooke Webster & Liu Zhixin say hello to their new team @TheCWHL #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/XdbyXSE1xt
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 22, 2017
Kelli Stack, Brooke Webster & Liu Zhixin represent @TheCWHL at fan fest in Beijing #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/Wfuq7G8St9
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 22, 2017
Kevin Westgarth, who has been to Beijing 3 times in last 6 months, calls it his "2nd home" #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/8PkhpNpcXH
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 22, 2017
Westgarth with toe save, Andong Song on defense in Beijing #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/Ddgpg0lRce
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 22, 2017
Right now, there is a Kunlun/Vanke @TheCWHL exhibition taking place at Wukesong Arena, the night before Kings/Canucks #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/ix7RoTd9dp
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 22, 2017
A little bit of the action going on right now @TheCWHL #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/Dzqhqw84kA
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 22, 2017
It was a great first day in Beijing for the LA Kings 👀https://t.co/p0AH9AHO8U
— LA Kings (@LAKings) September 22, 2017
9/23/17
From the now-Cadillac Arena...this is arena's 3rd name change in last yr, from LeSports Center to Wukesong Arena to now #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/50d8LG1htI
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
Westgarth and Song at it again this afternoon at Beijing fan fest #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/IQIwkh2E1t
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
Sedins in Beijing #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/s4mg6ZNfQe
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
Press would often clap after players left podium in Shanghai, not so in Beijing! #NHLChinaGames
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
John Stevens talks abt how China trip was positioned perfectly early in camp to help with recovery by beginning of season #NHLGamesChina pic.twitter.com/Mg71mDGORY
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
NHL regrets not investing in hockey infrastructure in Japan and knows it must do so in China for sport to succeed here (2/2) #NHLChinaGames
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
This week isn't the first time that the NHL has made a powerful push into an Asian market. By @Sheng_Peng:https://t.co/d8QrJ9qCG9
— LA Kings (@LAKings) September 22, 2017
Booting it around in Beijing #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/fYAsTEx6Fy
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
Kings hitting the Beijing ice for the first time #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/a0uF9JJaBa
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
Warmups in Beijing #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/qZCNyRWPPD
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
They really love their Canucks here #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/VuG34mSR60
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
Far different crowd today in terms of enthusiasm #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/zAGeNwksWU
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
The whole team is here! #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/jAdOOnBOJd
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
Yao. pic.twitter.com/RI934qhR80
— LAKingsPR (@LAKingsPR) September 23, 2017
Vancouver Canucks score, LA Kings superfan @YaoMing is not impressed. pic.twitter.com/uRbErhwu4D
— LA Kings (@LAKings) September 23, 2017
Once again, however, crowd enthusiasm and size has thinned out a little in the 3rd. They don't only leave games early in LA! #NHLGamesChina
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
Yup, PA just reminded them to stay in their seats #NHLChinaGames
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
Pro-Canucks crowd actually booing Brodzinski haha #NHLGamesChina
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
There's one everywhere #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/Y22nHsBCWa
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
Your 2017 #NHLChinaGames MVP Jake Muzzin pic.twitter.com/2K0lsP97vr
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
Instead of "best shape of his life," John Stevens says Jake Muzzin had the "summer of his life" #NHLChinaGames
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
China Games MVP Jake Muzzin and his trophy pic.twitter.com/MD9K4YRLAk
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) September 23, 2017
Your final (hand-written) scoresheet, LAK 4 - VAN 3 SO #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/8EKbBmVusu
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 23, 2017
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