WCF Game 3: Everything Wrong Is Right Again

Things have been going well for the Kings lately, but as a Kings fan I have that deeply ingrained suspicion that terror is always lurking just around the corner. I am also superstitious, so when things go wrong with my well oiled game plan -- even little things -- I can panic pretty easily.

Game 3 had me worried because so many little things went wrong before the game.

• I discovered I was out of eye black just as I was walking out of the house.
• My warm-up watching buddies were running much later than usual.
• One of my favorite ushers was missing from his normal spot.
• I forgot to check in on Foursquare.
• The 6 PM start meant that LOTS of people were running late and my seat buddies missed the opening puck drop.
• And perhaps most worrisome of all, the Camachos frozen margarita machine was down and I couldn't have my lucky first period cocktail.

I found a Kings crew member as soon as I got to Staples and remedied the eye black situation. Then I spent some of my downtime before warm-ups chatting with Bernie Nicholls (yes, you read that right). But I still couldn't shake my vague feelings if impending doom.

As if determined to prove my theory correct about impending doom for the Kings, the Coyotes came out with a lot of speed and energy in the first period. The Kings weren't exactly chasing the game, but it was closer than it should have been. I went back to Camachos to see if the margarita machine was working and it STILL wasn't. Then they scored right at the beginning of the second period and real panic set in. THIS IS IT.

But if the Kings have proved one thing during the playoffs it's that panic isn't a word in this team's vocabulary. They calmly regrouped, tied the game and went on to take the lead on the way to a 2-1 win and a 3-0 lead in the Conference Final Series.

WHEW! Or is that phew?

Everything is going to be OK now.

GO KINGS GO!