Kings vs Ducks: Going Mental

Players and coaches alike talk about the demands of an 82 game hockey season, and that the difference between winning and losing this time of the year is often between the ears.  This is the point in the season where bodies start to ache.  Time starts running out.  Pressure builds.  Doubt and fear can set in.

It's the same way for fans.  When you've seen your team through the highs and lows of a long season, patterns emerge.  You sit there watching a game unfold and remember the last time it looked like what you're seeing on the ice at the moment.   You start to see the outcome before the game is even over, because you've seen it over and over already.  Your heart lifts with a tying goal, and then the fear sets in because you see how much time is left.  Earlier in the season, you would have optimistically said "Plenty of hockey left!"  Now you're looking at the same clock, saying "God I hope we find another goal soon."

When your hopes are finally dashed by a villan, you're spent.  You want to be violently angry, but instead you just feel tired and defeated.  You just watched another opportunity get squandered.   At the beginning of the season, it would have been "We'll get these guys next time."  Now you're thinking, "Am I watching us play ourselves out of the play-off and letting THESE jokers in?"

WHY, WHY, WHY DID COREY PERY HAVE TO GET THE GAME WINNER?

This is the part of the season where the only thing that keeps a team winning -- and fans cheering-- is to stay focused and dig deep.  This is the part where faith comes in.  The choice to believe isn't a logical one, it's an emotional one.  We know in our hearts this team can win.  We ALL just need to believe.

Next up...the Calgary Flames.  Monday.  Staples Center.  Be there with your heart on your sleeve.

GO KINGS GO!

Do You Cheer Or Just Boo?

I'm fascinated by the debate raging over Kings fans booing the team after their horrible performance Thursday night.  Fascinated because this is far from the first time it's happened.  In fact, the first bad booing I remember was the Kings home opener in 2009.  They stunk up the joint big time that night as well, yet ended the season by making the Stanley Cup play-offs for the the first time in eight long years.  So maybe booing isn't always a bad thing.

I suppose the reason the booing became such a big deal this time is because of Terry Murray's reaction.  He's since softened his comments, and even taken some blame on his shoulders for not properly preparing the team.  I've read comments on Rich Hammond's posts where people even suggested Murray got a talking to from the Kings brass for not keeping his mouth shut, especially given the season ticket price increases we fans are all enjoying.

Empty seats are not good for the health of ANY franchise.

Message boards, Facebook groups, mainstream media and the blogosphere have all weighed in on whether fans have the "right" to boo or not.  America is the land of the First Amendment and free speech, so of course you have the right to express yourself, which includes booing.  It's also the right of other fans to openly disagree with you.  That's the awesome thing about free speech.   But in the flurry of arguments about frustration over ticket prices, fan expectations, players feelings and anything else that could factor into whether booing is acceptable or not, the REAL issue isn't being brought up.  And the REAL issue is your personal responsibility as a fan. 

For me, if you're going to exercise your right to say things about your team, you have to be shouting during the good times AND the bad.  So for everyone who booed Thursday night, I have a question for you.  When the Kings perform well, are you also screaming until your throat hurts?   Or are you only raising your voice when there is cause to complain?  Because if you're not doing both, I encourage you to SHUT YOUR MOUTH.

I suspect many of the complainers that booed Thursday were also the people that remained quiet as Vancouver Canucks fans took the energy out of our barn on March 5th.   That's the way it is with fans in Los Angeles, and not just Kings fans.   For the life of me, I don't know what it is about this city that breeds a sense of entitlement among our fair-weather fans, who react as if the team doesn't "deserve" their support if it doesn't win every game.   Of course, this is also the same fan base that will loudly cheer "Team XXX SUCKS!" any chance they get.  After all, nothing says class like putting down someone else.

I know there are plenty of Kings fans out there that don't fit that mold.  If you're one of those, it's your job to set the fair-weather fans right.  We're in the middle of an identity crisis, Kings fans.  I for one don't believe this booing, negative garbage is who we are.  We're better than this.  We should strive to win with grace and humility, and be good sports when things don't go our way.  That's what winners do.  That's what true fans should do, too.

WWWD?

Sports is like life, folks.  Things aren't always rosy, and if you throw out the baby with the bathwater every time things don't go your way, you're not the kind of fan I want supporting my team.   We have so much to be proud of in our Kings, and they have more than earned our support -- even and especially when they have a tough night.

GO KINGS GO!

Kings vs Blues: Beaten With a Shillelagh

According to Wikipedia, a shillelagh is a stick Irishmen once used to fight.  Right at the moment, I'm inclined to believe all the members of the St. Louis Blues ARE Irishmen and they thought their hockey sticks were actually shillelaghs, because they beat the Kings senseless tonight.

The puck is back there, Quicker....

On the walk home from the game, I was thinking of possible explanations for the Kings performance tonight:

• Leprechauns snuck into the equipment room before the game and cursed all our sticks.
• O'Johnson, O'Doughty, O'Kopitar and O'Simmonds decided to rebel against getting their names changed and played like crap.
• Drew spotted The Queen in an O'Doughty shirt, got confused and figured she left him for another guy.
• The Gatorade bottles were actually filled with green beer.
• The boys were confused by the new uniforms, thought they were the Philadelphia Eagles and forgot they were playing hockey, not football.

So Simmer, you're going out about 30 yards and I'll hit you with the pass....cool?

Here are the more likely answers:

• St. Louis played a faster, more physical game than we came prepared for.
• We had no puck possession, and couldn't connect a tape to tape pass if our lives depended on it.
• We spent 75% of the game in our own zone.
• We couldn't put shots on net.  Lack of puck possession will allow that to happen.

So...we're off to a SLOW start...

You've gotta be kidding me!

WTH HAPPENED!

• To a man, no one showed up to play.  Except maybe Jon Quick, and the team repaid him by playing with as many holes as Swiss cheese.

So the Kings got shelled, the fans booed at the end of the 2nd AND 3rd period, and my seat buddy was so disgusted she left before the end of the game to beat traffic.  Actually, a lot of people left.  By the end of this debacle the arena was only about one third full.    What a huge disappointment that our team played so well on the road, only to leave their hometown fans disappointed with their near total lack of effort this evening.

There were a couple of bright spots to the evening.

The green jerseys the Kings wore during warm-ups are being signed and auctioned to raise money for The Kings Care Foundation and Japan Earthquake Relief.  The Handuzs, Drewiske, Harrold, Richardson and Simmonds jerseys were done at the game tonight.  But if you're interested in another player besides those 5, you can place bids on the NHL website until March 25th.  Here's the link:

http://auction.nhl.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/User?id=losNHL&wl=12717464&type=L

Even Bailey's jersey is being auctioned!

The Kings "Heroes of the Game" were the Los Angeles Police Department Medal of Honor winners.  Give them your love, because they keep us safe.

And finally, please send all your healing karma to two members of the Los Angeles Kings family.  Jon Moncrief, who covers the Kings for The Examiner, and Michael Zampelli (aka Rink Rat) who runs the Let's Go Kings fan site and is also a professional photographer who covers the Kings, have both been in the hospital this week.   I am privileged to call Jon a friend, and Michael was more than patient with my photography questions the last two seasons when I sat behind his shooting spot in Section 114.  Staples Center is not the same without either of them.  Let's hope they return to action soon.

Hopefully the Kings can have short memories and shake off this loss fast, because the cross-town rival Anaheim Ducks are in town Saturday night in the first of 3 meetings between now and the end of the season with HUGE play-off implications for both squads.  Saturday is also the Kings final Heritage Night this season, this time honoring Bob Pulford.

GO KINGS GO!

Kings vs Stars: Shooting Ourselves In The Foot

If one thing is consistent about the Kings, it's that nothing comes easy for us.  Either that or we make things hard on ourselves.   Right at the moment I'm more inclined to believe the latter, and I really hope I get proven wrong.  The sooner, the better.

Why boys?  Why do you do this to us?

We started the night 1 point behind the 7th place Stars in the Western Conference standings. You don't have to be a math major to figure out the play-off implications there. 

Rumors flew prior to the trade deadline about the possibility of Stars Captain Brad Richards becoming a King, which of course didn't happen.  Now he has a concussion and wasn't even in the Stars line-up, so maybe we dodged a bullet.   I personally had designs on former Stars left winger James Neal, who ended up in a Penguins uniform.

The sad part is that even without those two big names in their line-up. the Stars shone brighter than the Kings in this contest.   Even though the Kings scored first AND held a lead going into the third period, we came out flat in the last 20 minutes, gave up a short-handed goal and put the momentum squarely in the Stars favor.  It took less then a minute for them to finish us in over time.

Why can't we put this many pucks on net DURING a game?

We're still in 8th place, but we're running out of chances.

The Queen's quick hits:

• I had a blast during warm-ups dissecting all the Kings problems with Bobby Scribe.   We don't always agree, but I love a good hockey debate and he's always prepared.   He also mentioned he and Surly are looking for someone to be the "&" jersey in their line-up.  If you're interested, drop him a line!  And if you're not already checking out his blog on a regular basis, you're losing out.  Don't make me smack you silly.

• Drew Doughty had a terrible giveaway early in the third.  Did it cost us the game?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  Bottom line - it's a mistake.  He's human.  Moving right along....

You looking at me?

• Matt Greene has become a penalty magnet the last few games. Our PK is still performing well, but let's not push it, Greener.

At least you took another guy to the box with you this time...

• Justin Williams' goal was a study in tenacity.   He fought for TWO rebounds off his initial shot before he buried it, and he never gave up.  Good things happen when you shoot AND follow up.

"Get to the net. Get to the net. Get to the net..."

• I will never get tired of Kyle Clifford's goal face.  It's like watching a five year old kid score his first goal every time he gets one.  So cute!

Of course the "Thousand Yard Stare" is a great look too.

• And last but not least, my seat buddy and I got to try out a new spot last night.  We got a great view of the Kings bench AND 5 seconds of fame in the process.

So now the Kings get a break from Staples Center and hit the road for important four games - Detroit, Columbus, Dallas, and Nashville.   Not to be overly dramatic, but this could be the turning point in our season, folks.   Time to put up or shut up.

GO KINGS GO!

Kings vs Canucks: The War Continues

The last time the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks met, the hockey season looked a lot different than it did today.  It was the first game of the season, in Vancouver.  Our boys were starting off on a high note, full of promise and potential after a solid training camp and positive additions to the roster during the summer.  There was left over bitterness against the Canucks, who ousted the Kings from their first play-off appearance in eight long years.  Combine all those factors, and the first meeting was a battle royale eventually decided in a shoot-out resulting in a 2-1 Kings win.

Some Kings bore the battle scars longer than others.

Remember how ugly this was?

After that initial meeting, the Kings and Canucks went their separate ways until today - 141 days later.    While the Kings have had ups and downs the entire season, the Canucks have torn up the Western Conference and hold the best record in the NHL.   But no matter where they sit in the standings, when these two teams meet it's a play-off atmosphere.  It's always a war, and today was no different.

Things were chippy from the opening face-off, with the end of every play resulting in a scrum.   Then the Kings drew first blood as Dustin Penner logged his first goal as a King only 5:28 into the first period.  Four minutes later the Canucks answered back with their own goal, and the period ended tied 1-1.

Someone drew blood on Smytty too!  The Queen is NOT amused!

The second period was more calm than the first, almost as if both teams knew this would be a bitter fight to the end and some energy should be conserved.   With no additional score, the warriors headed into the third -- and then all hell broke loose. 

The Canucks scored the go-ahead goal on a controversial play that involved cross-checking to Drew Doughty and possible goaltender interference on Jonathan Quick.  Neither penalty was called and the goal was not subject to review.  The Kings anger got the best of them, and an ugly exchange between Keith Ballard, Alex Burrows and Drew Doughty resulted in some of the worst officiating of the night as Doughty was called for diving after being struck in the face and falling to the ice.  The kid lost it. The team lost it.  The empty net goal that sealed the Kings fate added insult to injury.  So did the additional 10 minute misconduct Doughty received after the game was over.

He looked calm during warm-ups, but he opened a serious can of whoop-ass on the zebras...

Final score: 3-1 Canucks.

There is no denying the officials did a terrible job in this game.  I've never seen so many guys thrown out of face-off circles in my life.  Yes, Drew Doughty needs to watch his mouth, but these refs did not deserve respect.  They deserved the tongue lashing he gave them.  When Coach Terry Murray gives a pissed off interview, you know things were badly managed.  That said, the Kings need to learn how to control their emotions.  These kind of games happen every night in the play-offs, and to win a team has to overcome the adversity and not let it rule them.   

The Kings power play has also been their Achilles Heel all season, and tonight was no different.    It's gotten to the point where the fans don't even get excited about a 5 on 3 opportunity because this team NEVER converts on them.  To win the war, the Kings have to find a way to win those battles within the game.  Getting rid of Jamie Kompon and finding someone to craft a fresh power play strategy will not happen this season, but it needs to be a priority this summer.  In the meantime, we have to find a way to battle through it.  Shooting the puck would be a great start.

The great thing about the Kings is they are WARRIORS.  Today's battle was lost, but the war is far from over.   Wounds will heal, and the Kings will live to fight another day.  Count on it.

Warrior.  Enough said.

Now on to happier topics:

• I like Canadians, but they're kind of odd creatures sometimes.  And there were far too many of them at Staples Center today.  Thanks for visiting and spending your money boosting our economy, but please leave now.

These folks have the right idea bowing to The Great One...

...although I'm not sure the shorts and hockey jerseys are helping you blend in.  Especially you with the boots....

• Happy Birthday to Bailey, by far the BEST mascot in the entire NHL!  Although looking at some of his competition, it's not exactly tough to be the best.

WTH IS THAT THING FROM COLUMBUS WITH THE RED EYES???

And there's no way Fin could be the best mascot in the NHL...WAY too violent.

• Last but not least, the BEST part of my entire day was seeing Andrei Loktionov and his surgically repaired shoulder taking in the game.  I just want to take him home and mother him until he's all better.

Hello, My Little Russian!  The Queen loves you.

Now it's time to forget this day happened and prepare for the Kings next opponent.  The Dallas Stars are headed to town Monday, and if the Kings goal is to win the Pacific Division title, they're one of the teams in the way. 

GO KINGS GO!

Kings vs Coyotes: Beware the Dog

With 6 weeks until the end of the regular season, the Kings faced a significant challenge in the visiting Phoenix Coyotes.  Historically, the Yotes have had the Kings number no matter what the standings look like, and tonight they came to Staples Center in possession of a play-off spot in spite of a 4 game losing streak. 

If you've ever worked with animals before, you know rule number one -- don't mess with an injured one.  They bite.

I don't mean Bailey, I mean that poor little Coyote he has hanging by a string.

Luckily we had a new weapon in the line-up in 6 foot 4 inch, 245 pound frame of Dustin Penner, starting his career as a King after being traded from Edmonton at the deadline.  Terry Murray was widely quoted in interviews as having no expectation for Penner to be the franchise "savior," but it certainly doesn't hurt to have more size and skill in the lineup.

Yup...he's BIG.

Both teams seemed to be feeling each other out during the first period, and neither squad saw luck on the power play.  The second was more up tempo, but still a largely even battle for puck possession, with both teams combining for only 27 shots by the end of the period.  Finally, the Kings gained some momentum in the 3rd and the power play woke up with a goal from that reliable "Geezer" Jarret Stoll.  

Winning face-offs is key, people.

As it turns out, this time the Desert Dogs were all bark and no bite and one goal was all it took for a win in regulation.  With the win, the Kings jumped from 8th to 5th in the Western Conference standings!

Quick hits and notes:

• Jonathan Bernier earned his second shut-out last night.   He only had to stop 25 shots to do it, but he got the job done when it was needed.  Solid work kid!

I think I see a smile behind that mask...

• Coyotes back-up goalie (and former King) Jason LaBarbera drew the ire of fans in my section for standing too much and blocking our view with his enormous goalie butt. One fan yelled loud enough that he actually sat down! Sadly that didn't last long.

Barbs has got back, baby....

• My laugh of the night came courtesy of The Mayor, who heckled Coyote Paul "Biznasty" Bissonette with this line -- "Don't get greedy, you've already played 5 shifts tonight!". That got a prompt "F*** YOU!" and a smile from Biz.    Good times, people!

We see you Biz!

• Based on the lack of fans blocking my view, Coyotes people do not travel outside Arizona to see their team play.  This was great news after the crowd of Wingnuts in my face Monday night.

• Dustin Penner is not only huge,  he has very pretty eyes. I saw them looking at the sign I made him.  The Queen loves you, kid.

As exciting at this game was, there is no rest for the Kings.  The conference leading Vancouver Canucks are coming to Staples Center on Saturday at 1 PM, and with them comes another test of our potential play-off mettle.  So rest up Kings fans.  It's going to be a BIG weekend!


GO KINGS GO!

"Money on the Board": The Final Tally!

The final four games of February saw the Kings score the most goals of any week in the month, which is AWESOME news for my "Money on the Board" challenge!  This is the moment I've been waiting for, so without further ado, here's all the great news on the final total and The Queen's donation to help puck cancer!

February 23th - Kings vs. Ducks
Any game against the cross-town Ducks is huge because of the intense local rivalry.  This one had even more at stake, with the two teams tied in points at 68 and the Kings in 8th place in the conference by virtue of one game in hand on the 9th place Ducks.   The Kings scored first, then let the Ducks back in during the 2nd period.  With the game tied 2-2, Willie Mitchell joined the defensive D-man scoring race with Scuderi and Greener by blasting a shot in the 3rd for the game winning goal.  Money earned, and our hometown pride intact!

Final score - Kings , Ducks 
Final dollars =  ((Smyth + Kopitar + Mitchell) x $1) =$3

February 24th - Kings vs. Wild
Games against the Wild are always tight defensive contests, and this one went pretty tit for tat during the first two periods, with Wayne Simmonds scoring a pair of goals.  Then the Kings gained momentum in the third period on a huge one-timer from Drew Doughty.  Anze Kopitar finished it up with an empty-netter for the win.

Final score - Kings 4 , Wild2
Final dollars =  (Doughty (1) x $10) + (Simmonds (2) + Kopitar (1)) = $13

February 26th - Kings vs. Avalanche
The Kings owned the injury ridden Avs right up until the third period, driven by strong blue line scoring efforts by Alec Martinez and Drew Doughty, who netted his 10th goal of the season.  Kopitar and Stoll also contributed goals, and the Kings defense managed to hold it together long enough to secure the win.

Final score - Kings 4 , Avs 3
Final dollars = (Doughty (1) x $10) + (Kopitar (1) + Martinez (1) + Stoll (1)) = $13


February 28th - Kings vs. Red Wings
This game was flat out awful, so at least raising money for a good cause meant the evening wasn't a total loss.  Four goals isn't too shabby -- I just wish Doughty had gotten one of them to up the money total a bit higher.

Final score - Kings 4 , Wings 7
Final dollars = (Handzus (1) + Brown (1) + Simmonds (1) + Richardson (1) ) = $4

Thank the boys for their help, Cappy!  We did great!

This week the Kings earned me $33.  Add that to last week's total of $56,  and the final tally is $89.  But I like round numbers, so I'm kicking in some extra for a $100 donation to the Young Survival Coalition via Chicago Pucks Cancer!

Thanks to everyone for their positive comments and support during this challenge.  It's been a lot of fun to enjoy my Kings AND help a great cause!

GO KINGS GO!