The answer to the question is…a shy grin. I asked Andrei Loktionov today about his first NHL goal and what his intentions really were on the play last night. Loktionov held the puck behind the Carolina net, without any real pressure, but without any real options in front of the net either. No teammates were positioned around the net, and as he drifted toward the corner, Loktionov tossed the puck in front and it deflected off the stick of goalie Justin Peters and across the line. Was the play by design?
“It’s a secret,” Loktionov said with a big smile. Loktionov’s English is limited, but he has a good nature, a good sense of humor and is well-liked by teammates. Loktionov said he got the puck from his first goal and called the moment “so exciting.”
To see a video of the goal, click here.
Hahaha lokti! i got to meet him at el Segundo, caught him walking, he couldn’t understand me much, but god he was a fun guy to be with. Huge smile, lots of character, one of my favorites now. Plus, he is prob the best playmaker/sniper in our system. And like i said in a earlier post, more and more players are scoring on the goal line. I saw one by Nash, and Malkin. Very good game by lokti last night!
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N1 Rich.
Okay all fellow crazies. Leaving Norway in 7 hours. Ready to sport my Deadmarsh hat and jersey, while the boys give Kovi a terrable reception next week.
Unfortunately will only get to see the 1st period of todays game.
Go Kings!
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That was a highlight reel goal. he played it perfectly off peters stick..
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From Loktionov’s expression on the replay, he had a purpose in mind when he put the puck towards the net. He didn’t have a look of frustration he would have if he just got rid of it with no purpose in mind because no one was open. What the purpose was is, of course, “a secret.” Fun!!
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Genuine enthusiasm is what makes these kids so special. I have never seen a smile that big.
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Cant wait til are first line and power play start going. This team is going to be really dangerous to play against. GO KINGS GO
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AZ King Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 2:59 pm
@mike,
The first line is going. 4 goals in the last 2 games.
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From the look on his face after it went in, the vibe I get is, “Hey, it worked!”
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lv is the way Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 2:58 pm
@DougS, LOL… So as long he keep his secret to himself, he will sure get more goals….
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I was so happy for him, I hope Kopi got the puck for him.
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rick Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 3:16 pm
@seabass, I was at the game. Kopi did get him the puck.
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Just watched the replay of the Kopitar goal… CERTAIN that Brown was nowhere near deserving of an assist… It should either have been Unassisted or from Loktionov. Not sure which game the scorers were watching
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launch Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 3:22 pm
@Marc Nathan,
really??
that’s what you wanna talk about?
I guess DB didn’t create the loose puck with a hit in the corner. If Brownie doesn’t hit that guy the puck doesn’t bounce free and Kopi doesn’t score.
Just because it wasn’t a tape to tape pass doesn’t mean it was “unassisted”
WHY can’t our captain get the respect he deserves….it kills me that people wreck him on this blog.
enough already
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Ya, if you watch the play closely he was looking at the place where he threw the puck. I think he did try and bank it off the goalie.
But to his credit he isn’t making a big deal about it.
Ah, by the way gang; brownie is on his way to 42!!
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Way off topic but where did juraj mikus end up this season?
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KingsKnight Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 3:30 pm
@albertakingsfan, juraj mikus is never off topic, and I think he’s in the KHL, probably scoring hat tricks every night
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Sergei Prozacutov Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 3:42 pm
@KingsKnight,
Didn’t Mikus have a 12-point game the other day?
He’s only done it 9 times now.
And the suicide rate of defensemen in any league Mikus plays in, is just heartbreaking—-That’s why he wasn’t allowed to play much in the AHL.
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I practice that all the time… during passing drills! =) Great first goal! I really don’t care how they go in just that they go in!
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He totally meant to do it. I could see the purpose in his eyes from section 315.
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Shhh, quiet guys, don’t let the other goalies catch on!
Oh my gosh, that grin was adorable.
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OMG! How adorable is he?
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Michael_DD8 Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 3:58 pm
@Lilly,
I think of drew and i get sad, then i watch this video is it makes me smile everytime hahahaha
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Lilly Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 4:20 pm
@Michael_DD8,
Totally!
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20 years from now: I shot a blistering 100 mph from point blank to beat the number one goalie in the NHL……
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I love him. That is all.
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King John Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 4:28 pm
@Meg Jarrell,
I see all the girls find him adorable….
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I was watching on TV, and while I couldn’t see the entire ice surface from the various angles they showed there didn’t seem to be anyone in line with that pass. If he hadn’t hit the goaltenders stick the puck would have ended up in a big open area of ice with no one around and I can’t see why any player would have done that. So it seems pretty clear to me that he intended to bounce the shot in, not to mention how he pushed out from behind the net toward the corner to get a better and to bank it in.
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Way to go Latte!
Picked him from camp last tear and SO happy he made the team this season. Was worried about his size.but he does look as if he has grown a bit. Love his style of play. Speed and play making ability. His enthusiasm is infectious :0
GO KINGS GO!!!
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