Tonight’s game story (March 22)

Posted by Rich Hammond on 22 March 2010, 11:14 pm

Here’s my LAKings.com game story for tonight, with stats and video included. Thanks for reading!

Kings beat Avalanche 4-3 in overtime

The Kings are scheduled to practice at 11 a.m. in El Segundo tomorrow before flying to Denver.

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79 Comments

tuan jim says:

March 23, 2010 at 12:02 am

We let those lice get a point out of the game with only six seconds left on the clock.

It’s great to get the win . . . but we let those lice get a point out of the game with only six seconds left on the clock.

I know, I know. Two points at this time of year are important, no matter how you get them . . . but we let those lice get a point out of the game with only six seconds left on the clock.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:21 am
@tuan jim,
TM’s gonna get some shampoo for the guys tomorrow,so there won’t be any on Wednesday.

[Reply]
DougS Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:31 am
@tuan jim,
Yeah, it’s painful, no doubt about that.

But there were some specific good things that came out of the game to help balance that out, especially Smyth getting his ass back in gear. He will be needed down the stretch.

[Reply]
txkingsfan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:25 am
@tuan jim, do you have a typing tick?

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Player-X Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:31 am
@tuan jim,
They gonna be “lice out” Wednesday.

[Reply]
Player-X Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:31 am
@Player-X,
as in “Boom, Boom, out go the lice”

[Reply]
ducksuck says:

March 23, 2010 at 12:09 am

just wanted to say awesome game really exciting good 2 points good game go kings goodnight!!

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MIK3Ysfv says:

March 23, 2010 at 12:44 am

As far as Mike Green vs.Doughty…. Anyone remember the playoffs last year? They highlighted Mike Green giving up on plays over and over in his own zone. The guy is a dumptruck who will forever cost his team the Cup. He never will be as good as Drew Doughty because he lacks the stomach to be great in his own end!!

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:55 am
@MIK3Ysfv,
The only people who would argue against you live in the greater Washington area… Thank god Steve Yzerman knew Doughty would help him win gold… if that was Mike Green… well I just don’t want to think about it

[Reply]
typicaljs says:

March 23, 2010 at 12:58 am

at the end of the game the coach of the aves was irate. yelling at the refs until they forced him to go into the locker room about 3 minutes after the game had ended. Any idea what he was yelling about ? Goalie interference on the play or something ?

[Reply]
Deadmarsh Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:06 am
@typicaljs, Joe Sacco is an idiot. What could he be arguing? The blatant cross check on Williams? I think not.

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VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:57 am
@Deadmarsh,
Think what you like… but Joe Sacco is Not an idiot.. he probably deserves more votes for coach of the year than TM, given the team he has worked with… plus I remember having a Mighty Ducks all stars poster with him on it during their innaugeral season lol

It was him, Guy Hebert (what a beaut!), Terry Yake… and I think there was one more …

[Reply]
txkingsfan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:27 am
@VanKingsFan, really? you’re defending a guy because he was a on a Mighty Ducks poster?

Daniel Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:08 am
@typicaljs, I think he thought Smyth tipped it in with a high stick. Foote was yelling at the refs as well. I saw the game live, from the other end, and they did not replay the play from other angles, so I can’t say for sure.

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:55 am
@Daniel,
He didnt touch it … i thought he might of too, but i saw the replays, it went straight top cheese!

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Stillkingly says:

March 23, 2010 at 5:01 am

Great battle, thats all I ask for. Awesome effort, battling through adversity.

How huge was the first PP goal? We looked really out of sink after the Modin tip in.

GO KINGS GO

[Reply]
uvgt2bkdnme says:

March 23, 2010 at 5:53 am

Rich, I’m late for this, but I just wanted to thank you for answering my Open Forum question during the last session.

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dirtmover says:

March 23, 2010 at 6:20 am

A win is a win is a win – some solid play came out of this game – def a playoff intensity – for me the playoffs have already started – this last wk or so is about really getting into playoff mode and getting the compete where it needs to be on a consistent basis – no more nights off – getting the mindset that every game is an elimination game – lets keep it going -

[Reply]
c-nut says:

March 23, 2010 at 7:02 am

A couple of bad penalties by Simmer, but the Kings stayed stronge on the PK. Galiardis tying goal was BS. Quick couldn’t do anything with 8 guys in his crease. I kind of miss no players in the blue paint rule, but then Smyth wouldn’t have any goals. Double edge sword for sure. Just keep getting those points! GO KINGS!!!

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KC23 says:

March 23, 2010 at 7:13 am

PK has been exceptional. What is that now about 27 straight kills now?

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Kings Fan In Idaho Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:07 am
@KC23,
I’m pretty sure it’s 28 straight kills.

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mrbrett7 Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:39 am
@Kings Fan In Idaho, Hard to believe that the Kings are now 17th in the NHL on the PK, with how horrific they began the season on the PK.

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Todd M. Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:51 am
@mrbrett7,
29 straight pk’s

VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:58 am
@KC23,
Amen KC,
What happened to all the “fire Kompon” bandwagoners?

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James R says:

March 23, 2010 at 7:17 am

Do they allow visitors to watch practioce? I work in El Segundo, and my lunch starts at 11am… How can I go watch?

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TJB Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 7:26 am
@James R,

Go to rink, walk in, and watch.

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James R Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:52 am
@TJB, It can’t be that simple, really? Wow, I will give it a shot then. Bummer I can’t make it today… something came up. But when they return!

[Reply]
neil Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:40 am
@James R, Yes and after you walk in you have to yell “THAT WAS EASY!!!!!!!

James R Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 2:13 pm
@James R, LOL… will do. I’ll report back when I get a chance to do so.
USHA#17 says:

March 23, 2010 at 7:53 am

Had to love those lines. Moving Smyth in and out with Kopitar.

The Kings never looked like they wouldn’t win.

Looks like they are getting back on track.

We’ve seen the AVs twice now. A little better with Hejduk back but over all looked like the same team we beat earlier.

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:59 am
@USHA#17,
I loved how when they got offensive time of possession TM threw Williams and Smyth out there with Kopi a couple times. They had a couple of great shifts together.

[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:15 am
@VanKingsFan,

As a peanut section observer I think I was wrong about resting Smyth.

In hind sight it looks like the 4th line was set up so Kopitar and Smyth could be double shifted..

[Reply]
Player-X Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:21 am
@USHA#17,
wow, cool thinking…Vellly intelesting!

USHA#17 Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:55 am
@VanKingsFan,

Its hard to say but your comment got me thinking. We can’t know if that was the case but if so that’s good coaching

With Smyth, Stoll and Williams in “reserve” they could easily be inserted anywhere.

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VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:58 am
@USHA#17,

Ya Im not sure if it was totally on purpose or not. I just remember a couple of really good shifts down low with the JW, RS, and AK.
P90X says:

March 23, 2010 at 8:40 am

Great game boys! Shouldn’t of gone overtime but it happens. Dewey, way to show everybody that “you are Drew Doughty” not Niedermyer,or whoever else they’ve compared you to. Gotta bring the intensity and play the rest of the season boys!!! Looking forward to a long spring/early summer.

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Anjin Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:56 am
@P90X, It was nice to see how excited he was after scoring in OT. The entire team needs that intensity for every second they are on the ice.

I really hope last night was all about getting back on track.

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VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:01 am
@Anjin,
To be fair, its hard to play an entire game with the same intensity you would show after scoring the OT winner…probably wouldn’t be too smart either

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mrbrett7 says:

March 23, 2010 at 8:48 am

Needs to be said. I have been all over OD for some time now, but he was outstanding last night, specifically on the PK.

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VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:02 am
@mrbrett7,
He reminds me of a grizzled veteren warrior.. you doubt him and doubt him all season, but then when the final big battle comes along he is slaying hundreds of young pups on his own with his giant, aged Broad sword

[Reply]
King John Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:09 am
@mrbrett7,

I’ve liked OD all year, and last night there were a lot of very good plays he made—taking care of business….

I’m hoping that this is helping JJ too, that JJ makes sure he’s taking care of business defensively.

[Reply]
Todd M. says:

March 23, 2010 at 8:53 am

what I love is that they are playing in meaningful, playoff style games right now, and winning them. teams that clinch early have a hard time turning it back on after playing meaningless games at the end of the season

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:03 am
@Todd M.,
Except the two finalists from last years Cup right

Just kidding with ya, I get your point, but I would still rather be 15 points up and clinched already.

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KingsFan in OC Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:11 am
@Todd M., What I love is that it is almost the last week of March and our games still matter!!! We aren’t playing “spoiler” or “playing for pride” or any of that other crap! We are playing for a freakin’ playoff spot!!! My excitement for this team is off the charts right now. Unfortunately so is my blood alcohol level and cholesterol during such intense games, but who cares about health? We’re going to the playoffs!!!! GO KINGS!!!

[Reply]
Goring 19 says:

March 23, 2010 at 9:11 am

So we play on Wednesday in Denver, get the oxygen tanks ready. Anybody want to speculate how the games going to progress? Foxy said the Kings are going to face an onslaught that they’ll have to deflect, we’ll see. My prediction, same as last night, 4-3 Kings.

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tantrum4 says:

March 23, 2010 at 9:15 am

Rich or anyone,

Just curious, were we already mathematically eliminated from the playoffs last year at this time?

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mrbrett7 says:

March 23, 2010 at 9:49 am

Anyone think Kevin Weekes is a closet Kings fan…he has serious man-love for them.

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VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:59 am
@mrbrett7,

Kevin ‘very’ Weekes is such a terrible commentator… how he ever got the job is beyond me..

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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:17 am
@VanKingsFan,

Don’t think he’s so bad…
Who do you like?

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VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:21 am
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
Iv said it before, but I am in love with Rick Jeanneret!! Love the enthusiasm and crazy lingo he invents lol

LA LA LA LA LA LAAFOONNTAAAIINNNEE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEfbyrKnKc0

c-nut Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:15 pm
@VanKingsFan, you are crazy, Kevin Weeks is the man. Hes got good tv presence and he dresses sharper than don cherry!

[Reply]
PurpleBlacknGold Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:09 am
@mrbrett7,
Isn’t he the one who asked Doughty how he liked being mentored by the veteran Rob Blake? Not much of a Kings fan if he doesn’t know Blake was gone before Doughty got here…

[Reply]
tuan jim Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:06 pm
@mrbrett7, When Larry Murphy said the Kings would make it to the playoffs it was Kevin Weekes who said not a chance.

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Hat Trick says:

March 23, 2010 at 9:50 am

Regarding deader2818:

Back on Feb 6, after detroit scored a goal to make it 2-0 midway through the first period, he posted: “season over, maybe next year”……..In the term “knee-jerk” reaction, I wonder which part of that might describe him.

[Reply]
nykingfan says:

March 23, 2010 at 9:59 am

Did anyone else get the feel of a true playoff-type game?
They battled hard all night. That was a terrific hockey game to watch. I was shocked at the low shot total because both teams were flying all night.
Doughty was great all night. I thought it was his best game since the break. He was carrying the puck a lot more than he has recently.
A couple of dumb penalties by Simmer, but he played great. His energy and speed to get on the defenseman, creates more turnovers than anyone I’ve seen. I have a feeling he’s going to be a pretty big goal scorer in the future. The puck finds his stick in scoring areas a lot. Eventually he’ll get the knack of putting them in consistently.

So many guys played great. Smytty/JW/Stoll/Kopi/Modin (except for twice not clearing the puck on the PK)
Unbelievable special teams last night. They won the game for us.
Quick looked shaky from the beginning, but got the win. That’s good enough for me.

[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:28 am
@nykingfan, Special teams clearly made a big difference, and going into the playoffs, that’s a great sign!

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VanKingsFan says:

March 23, 2010 at 10:00 am

Fro, less than 10 minutes of ice time… the Enigma lives!!

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:13 am
@VanKingsFan,

I think the majority of those minutes came later in the game. He got some late PP time as well.
I liked the lines the way they were. I’m not saying Fro played terrible, but he wasn’t better than any of the top 9.

[Reply]
King John says:

March 23, 2010 at 10:14 am

THe question of Frolov comes up. We’re wondering if he will remain stuck on the 4th line.

If Kopitar and Stoll’s lines stay the same then the only way I see Frolov moving up is to switch with Modin.

Then the lines would be:

Richie—Kopitar—Simmonds
Smyth—Stoll—Williams
Frolov—Handzus—Brown
Modin—Halpern—Clune/Parse

That might work!

I hope TM leaves the top two lines alone right now.

[Reply]
Barry's Mullet says:

March 23, 2010 at 10:17 am

Great win for the boys! I hate to say it but it looks like Frolov’s days are numbered! I love the guy and I was really hoping he would resign but the way he’s being treated why would he?

This guy is the poster child for getting jerked around by a coach. Richie turns the puck over in overtime a few games back and now he’s playing on the first line?

TM has done a masterful job with this team except when it comes to Frolov. This guy is a 30+ goal scorer! He can control the game when he’s playing to his strenghts and is one of the smartest guys on the ice. Coming out of the Olympic break he was on fire. I don’t know what goes on behind the scenes but its no wonder this guy plays like that for 3 or 4 games, gets shuffled to another line and the coach is wondering WTF happened. Please find 2 guys that can play with Fro and leave the fu_king line(s) alone!

Mark my words…If TM doesn’t make peace with this guy our chances in the playoffs are severely diminished.

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:35 am
@Barry’s Mullet,

Could the problem be with Frolov and not the shuffling of lines?

Fro has done this his whole career. Goes on a tear for 6 or 7 games.. then disappears for 6 or 7. This isn’t new.

He isn’t playing with the same intensity as he was 3 games ago. he is floating/coasting around again. A week ago he was busting ass, hustling and fighting for loose pucks and forcing his will upon the game with his offensive zone pressure.

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Barry's Mullet Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:00 am
@VanKingsFan, I’m trying really hard to be objective but this whole disappearing excuse is a joke. Next to Kopi this is your most talented forward. He’s been here for 7/8 years now and has always put up the numbers playing on the first or second line…Its obvious to a blind man but you tell my what has changed this year?

He contributes in so many areas other players don’t even dream of trying. He controls the play down low and can cycle like no one else. He wears down the defense and makes plays for his line. And if he doesn’t get a goal or point that night people say where did he go? This game has more to do with what I just described than scoring and putting up big numbers.

Other teams would kill to have a player like this and it looks like one of them will get the chance…without having to give up anything.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:42 am
@Barry’s Mullet,
Just a thought but sometimes guys can be great players on lousy teams, but can’t handle doing what it takes on a winning team. It’s not skill, it’s all mental. There’s not another player on the team (of the regulars) that has constant issues with their compete level.
It’s not the coach, because Fro’s not a bad person so there’s no reason to dislike him. it’s Fro.

tantrum4 Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:57 am
@Barry’s Mullet,

I think you said it best when you said “He can control the game WHEN he is playing to his strengths”. The problem is, he doesn’t do that most of the time…

[Reply]
Barry's Mullet Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:12 pm
@Barry’s Mullet, nykingfan, I don’t buy it! He scored 32 goals last year on a improved team that missed the playoffs only because of bad goaltending early in the year.

He hardly gets PP time and he’s 3rd in scoring. Brown and Smyth play on the top line and get tons of PP time. He’s also playing on the checking line and doesn’t turn the puck over anymore than Brown, Smyth or Richardson…why does he get labled? If he disappears so much how can he possibly be doing this well?

Well he could be contributing that much more if he brought his “A” game every night people will argue. I say bullshit…so should every other player…his “B” game is better than almost everyone’s “A” game on this team. Its so obvious when others disappear or take a game off you hardly notice but because Frolov does so many things well, we all notice. Lets all say it together DOUBLE STANDARD. TM needs to pull his head out of is arse and get this guy on the first or second line.

[Reply]
c-nut Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:20 pm
@Barry’s Mullet, INDEED!

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nykingfan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:32 pm
@Barry’s Mullet,

Let’s be serious…last years team, while improved from the worst team or 2nd worst team in the league, to a below average team with potential. He has never been a part of a good team until now.
It’s not about simple turnovers but about the guy willing to compete every night, ever shift.
the only way your conspiracy theory against TM works is if you can figure a good reason for the coach to want to jeopardize the teams success just to keep this guy down. Why Frolov and not someone else?

[Reply]
Barry's Mullet Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 2:04 pm
@nykingfan, Bottom line…there seems to exist a double standard and I just don’t understand why? Yes, we all know Frolov’s history of playing incredible hockey one game and than “disappearing” the next. I truly believe this is because he is so good but never used properly under TM.

Dustin Brown skates his ass of every game but turns the puck over more than any else on the team and he’s our captain? He shoots the puck from everywhere and anywhere and seems to miss the net more than not….what do we do with him? Why doesn’t he get benched? As I mentioned Richie turns the puck over the other night in overtime for the game winner….where is the accountability?

VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 2:20 pm
@Barry’s Mullet,

Richie was benched after that turnover, I was watching for it.. so come up with an example that makes sense

How about all of the coaches from the past, before TM, who said the EXACT SAME THING TERRY MURREY DOES. Your point about it being just TM doesn’t make any sense.

And you never answered the question from NYKingsfan: WHY would TM hurt his teams success (which in turn leads to personal success and financial gain) just to hurt Fro… again, your argument does not make sense.

PP time: Frolov has been a fixture on the 2nd PP unit all year, so again, not sure you make a lot of sense here.

1st line: He was given chances on the first line with Kopi and very little offense resulted from it.

Brownie: You said it best “He skates his ass off”. He is also 3rd in the league in hits, 4th on the team in scoring, a leader by example (bringing the team to LA early to train together), and much more vocal and active with the team than Fro has ever been

Nuff said

[Reply]
Barry's Mullet Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:11 pm
@VanKingsFan, Sorry to beat a dead horse but Richie was never benched…thanks to him the game ended. Again I ask, where’s the accountability? And Frolov and anyone else on the second PP unit see’s maybe 30 seconds and rarely does that unit score on the PP.

As for why TM would hurt his own team? I think a better question would be why TM decided to put his best goal scorer from last season on the checking line to start this season? I’ve been following the Kings for 30+ years and hardly miss a game. Frolov maybe throws a dozen good solid checks a season if that. What Frolov does down low with the puck I’ve only seen a handful of players do successfully over the years and most of them are retired.

Your argument about Brown makes my point with Frolov, its all about the intangibles! Doing everything you can that results in a win. What Frolov does in the offensive zone, cycling and stripping the puck away from the other team and wearing them down is just as important as Brown throwing a one or two big checks each game.

Finally…Pavel Datsyuk even commented last year that he felt Frolov was one of the two most underrated players in the league. Not too shabby coming from one of the leagues elite players. What does he see that we don’t?

Player-X Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 6:36 pm
@Barry’s Mullet,
I agree with you Mullet, Fro is under-utilized in one way, but in anotehr he is the ultimate utility forward so he gets moved around a lot. If people only focus on his offensive numbers, they can make a case for disappointment in his season, but in truth with the roles he has been assigned his numbers this year are awesome. Like you said, he hasn’t been on the PP for awhile but he still has decent points.
Last night, for example, Brown was running around, falling a lot, and made some hits. He didn’t have any real contribution to the offensive game, and he frankly, to me, looked like he was trying to be a one-man army. But he is never singled out by the coach.
I honsetly think Murray is pushing buttons on the whole team by using Fro, but that he is also aware of what weorks for Frolov, too, and is setting huim up to be motivated and fresh in the playoffs. Time will tell, but I like Frolov.

[Reply]
Barry's Mullet Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
@Player-X,

I just don’t know after everything TM has put him through why he would resign with the Kings? I sure as hell wouldn’t!
What's the frequency, Kenneth? says:

March 23, 2010 at 10:27 am

This cannot be sour grapes, because they won, but the officials, once again, SUCKED. The penalties simply weren’t evenly called.

Besides that, the Kings played a pretty good game, other than the goal that shouldn’t have counted at the end which gave the Avs a point, and the goal the Kings put in themselves. These things happen, though, and I was happy to see the team play with both vigor and discipline at the same time.

[Reply]
tantrum4 Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:57 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,

Why shouldn’t the goal have counted?

[Reply]
KingsFan in OC Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:50 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,

Yeah, the officiating was horrible. I have no idea how not one penalty was called on the scrum ON TOP of Quick in the 2nd. There were bad no calls and some very questionable calls that were made. If they were going to call a bad game, at least call it evenly both ways. Very one-sided in my opinion.

[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? says:

March 23, 2010 at 11:13 am

Goaltender interference. Quick never had a chance at the puck.

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VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:37 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,

On the flip side, I remember at least twice, maybe 3 times when the Kings skated through Anderson’s blue paint when the puck was behind the net, and our guys clipped him a bit both times.

I even remember the ref yelling at Simmer “Hey! Stay out of the Blue Paint!”

[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:25 pm
@VanKingsFan, and if they’d scored, the goals would have been disallowed.

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Ersberg says:

March 23, 2010 at 11:42 am

The most important stat of the game:

Two points.

See you tomorrow, Avs.

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