Scott Parse exceeded all reasonable expectations for his NHL debut Saturday night. He played 10 minutes, 30 seconds — all at even strength — and didn’t record a shot on goal but made one of the nicest plays of the night, a faked shot and a pass that led directly to Jarret Stoll’s second goal, which gave the Kings a 3-2 lead in the third period.
The most telling part of Parse’s game might have been that he got two shifts, with Stoll and Peter Harrold, after the Coyotes closed within one goal late in the third period. That’s when a coach turns only to players he trusts the most, and Parse got that call. Here are Parse’s thoughts about his debut, followed by Terry Murray’s thoughts.
(on his first game…)
PARSE: “It was fun, really fun. Nervous beforehand, but once I got out there, I just relaxed and played.”
(on whether he had expectations for how it would be…)
PARSE: “Not really. I had played in one preseason game and that’s it. I was just going out there trying to have fun and be relaxed.”
(on his first NHL assist…)
PARSE: “I came down the wing on a 2-on-1 with Stolly. I went to shoot it, and Jovanovski kind of slid to the middle. I knew there was room under his stick, and I slid it to Stolly and he made a great, great finish.”
(on playing late in the third period…)
PARSE: “Coach, he did show confidence in me. It feels good, as a player, when a coach does that, so it’s nice.”
(on getting help from linemates…)
PARSE: “Stolly helped me out a lot during the game, just talking to me and telling me little things what to do. He was a big help last night.”
(Terry Murray, on Parse’s play…)
MURRAY: “He was really good. I broke the game down and watched it all here this morning, and his game was intense. He was in on the puck, he had a really good stick. He got on the puck and created some turnovers. He made a tremendous play on that Stoll goal and played intelligently, played very smart. Very good reads throughout the whole game. Positioning, off the puck, his scanning of the ice and seeing what is developing and where he should go. He’s getting to the right place. It was good stuff.”
(on playing Parse in late-game situations…)
MURRAY: “That was simply the stuff I’m talking about there. He just read the play and played a smart game. Didn’t force, didn’t get caught trying to do too much, taking himself out of position trying to do too much. He just knew what his limits were, what his game was, what he needed to do, and he ended up with a great result.”
Tonight is important. This could be a real momentum builder for Wednesday and make up for last game against the Jackets.
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Parse was great, I agree… He showed in one game what Trevor Lewis was unable to ever show.
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Good to see a kid with a low profile handle himself like he did. Now just lose Purcell and add Williams to that line and watch them step it up.
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I dont think its fair that we “drill” Lewis. I mean he’s on the 4th line playing an odd role. so he deserves a chance. Purcell on the other hand is on the 2nd line playing his natural role yet he still looks like a zombie!! Just aint doing anything for the team. Hopefully Parse keeps it up and bumps Purcell off the team!
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Yep, no need to badmouth any of the kings prospects. Lewis hasn’t had much of an opportunity with a scoring line and Purcell’s been playing mostly LW all season. Nothing against Ivanans, but I would have played Lewis in lieu of Ivanans last night on the fourth line.
Having said that, I loved Parse’s game. He kept it simple and played a smart hockey game. Hope he can stay up here with the big boys because we can surely use a natural LW.
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I agree. Parse had a good debut. Hopefully he can bring it tonight against the Jackets. We need to start seeing some solid wins… you know the ones where we get the lead and keep it.
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Purcell gotta go!!!!!
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One good game does not a career make but without it, a career never has a chance. The pass he made to Stoll showed a confidence and comfort one wouldn’t expect from a player who hasn’t seen the NHL. That was a veteran play.
Bobby Scribe
http://www.lakingsnews.com
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Johnny, Don`t be to hard on Purcell, he has good hands and imo should be productive soon.We need to give a little more time.Idon`t feel he`s hurt the team yet.
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I was at the game yesterday cuz i live in tucson and heres what i gathered….
parse was extremely tough on the puck…workes his a@! off…
brown looked really good last night
kopitar looked like the league leader in points
smyth’s outlet to kopitar on that first goal was gorgeous
simmonds works so hard on the first line that kopitar and smyth have more gas to create offense
purcell stinks…
Quicks 3rd goal was as soft as butter….doan didnt even get a shot off and it still went in…
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Old man,
In a way i understand BUT Purcell did play 40 games with us last season and 10 games the yr before that so even though it might not be too much, he still walked in this yr with 50 games under his bealt. So how much is “give a little more time” he’s been on that 2nd line with quality players
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Would be neat if Parse can play at the NHL level. Not a real high draft pick, not a lot of press etc. Maybe could be a diamond in the rough…
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Parse was a stud in college at Nebraska-Omaha, but got hurt late in his junior season and again in his senior season. He has battled injuries in the two years since college. When healthy, he is a very talented scorer.
Given the chance, I think he will stick with the Kings if he can stay healthy.
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Johnny, yea you might be right,just thinking.
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Purcell came into the season on a short leash. If he doesn’t start producing soon, he won’t be back. It’s a good, simple situation. A guy like Parse only makes it easier as a fan. As far as I’m concerned, if Purcell turns into a point-scorer for us, great. If not, that’s cool too because we have guys that will step in for him.
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Johnny,
It’s not really about number of games for Purcell. Heck, all last year, he was basically playing the 4th line or the 3rd line. Yes, he had some time on the 2nd and even a few on 1st but he was ALWAYS playing LW-he’s a natural RW. I could understand if he’s under produced playing on top 2 lines in his natural position. However, that really hasn’t been the case.
The guy’s an ahl all star mvp for christ sake. Give the kid some slack and give him some quality minutes. If not, then we’re just better off trading the kid.
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I agree. He’s been sick for 4 games and played through it so far. I think it is so funny people here are so quick to jump on and jump off when adversity strikes. That goes for any player.
examples.
Quick sucks, Quick is the man
Frolov sucks bench him, frolov great goal we should resign him,
Kopitar is not shooting enough he needs to be told, Kopitar scores a hattrick he should get MVP
People relax… it is the first quarter of the season.
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