It was a true weekend split for the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs, who lost 5-4 in overtime to Springfield on Friday, beat Portland 5-4 on Saturday and lost 4-2 to Bridgeport on Sunday. The Monarchs remain in first place in the Atlantic Division, three points ahead of Portland with 21 games remaining, but Portland also has three four games in hand over the Monarchs. Dwight King has scored a goal in five consecutive games, Brandon Kozun has eight points (five goals, three assists) in his last six games. Justin Azevedo has five assists in his last three games. Bud Holloway leads the Monarchs with 44 points in 58 games. King has 20 goals in 51 games. Oscar Moller has 40 points in 45 games, Viatcheslav Voynov has 40 points in 55 games and now the Monarchs will regain the services of Andrei Loktionov, who has 31 points in 32 AHL games this season. Thomas Hickey, who missed brief time with an ankle injury, has returned and his plus-14.
On Friday, the Monarchs lost 5-4 in overtime to Springfield. Holloway, Kozun and Moller each had one goal and one assist, and Martin Jones stopped 9 of 10 shots after replacing Jeff Zatkoff to start the third period.
On Saturday, the Monarchs beat Portland 5-4. The Monarchs trailed 3-2, five minutes into the second period, but then scored three consecutive second-period goals. Holloway had one goal and two assists while Azevedo and Colten Teubert each had two assists. Jones stopped 23 of 27 shots.
On Sunday, the Monarchs lost 4-2 to Bridgeport. Kozun had one goal and one assist while King had the other goal. Zatkoff stopped 13 of 16 shots.
Looks like TM is going to make sure the Monarches have the best chance to win it all.
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launch Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 9:32 am
@KC23, because the General Manager moved Loki back down is that what you mean?
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Lime Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 9:49 am
@launch, lol owned
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Blurker Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:33 am
@launch, As if you didn’t know that everything is TM’s fault.
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royalmonarch Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:36 am
@launch, we are definitely a better team here in Manchester with Lokti in the lineup but the Kings have never sent players down here to improve our playoff chances ,well they did one year when they sent Avery and a bunch of others down , but that was a disaster .. my point is that they needed a roster spot for Sturm and Lokti didnt have to clear waivers so he was the logical choice to get sent down .. it wont be long before he is back in LA, with the trade deadline looming , injuries etc. i dont know if its just me , but he seemed to create scoring opps for the guys with his speed , the Kings seemed to score more with him in the lineup despite his defensive mistakes which i chalk up to a learning curve at his young age.
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Detroit Sons Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:47 am
@royalmonarch, I have a question for you, when King was up with the Kings, he really looked lost. Is it just the comfort zone for him being in the AHL and the game is to fast in the NHL for him?
launch Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:03 am
@royalmonarch, I agree with everything you pointed out…I am not at all saying anything negative in regards to any player in the organization.
I was only trying to find out if KC23 really thinks that Terry Murray (the Head Coach) is the driving force behind Loki’s return to NH…that decision IMO is made by the GM not the coach
sid the kid Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:37 pm
@royalmonarch, sending the hated sean avery anywhere doesn’t improve your chances of winning, it just improves the chances of the locker room situation going bad
KC23 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@launch, Tongue in check stuff is all. In other words, no I don’t think TM has anything, but the King’s future in mind, despite how it would seem on occassion.
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Looks like the Kings have more talent in Manchester than Los Angeles. Hopefully they can always keep a good supply of guys coming to the big club. Some teams, like Chicago, just had crazy amounts of prospects that were all good coming up. I was also surprised to look at what % of COL 1st rounders play over 100 games in the NHL compared to LA prospects.
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Dominick Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 9:58 am
@jonsey,
Colorado doesn’t have nearly the combined icetime on their #1 draft picks that Brown, Kopitar, and DD have the last couple of years. We also have Lewis, and Bernier playing here with Schenn and Hickey close. Combine that with some 1rst round picks in college and the minor leagues, and the Kings are pretty impressive too, if not more so.
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Dominick Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:30 am
@Dominick, Forgot to add JJ.
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blugator Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:31 am
@Dominick, Speaking about Schenn. He has 34 points in 15 games since being traded to Saskatoon. Wow.
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KC23 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:20 pm
@blugator, Yeah, every trade rumor starts with is name. Never going to happen though, DL doesn’t give away that kind of possible talent.
mrbrett7 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:52 am
@jonsey, You really want to compare the Kings to Colorado?
Colorado has 2 forwards and that’s about it. The trade they just made may be the worst trade I have ever seen in the history of the NHL.
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Mike J. Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@mrbrett7,
What? That was called a warm body trade. They just traded players, none of those players that got moved in that deal were even on anyone radar anymore. Stewart was a name player last year, Shattenkirk is just a 5 or 6 Dman, and the “great” Erik Johnson… what’s so great about him? That he hurt his knee in a golf cart accident?
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 2:38 pm
@Mike J., Chris Stewart before he broke his hand in a fight was leading the Avalanche in goals, and Shattenkirk was widely considered one of the top rookie defensemen in the NHL, not to mention the one and only young defensemen the Avalanche have with a pulse…horrific trade for them.
Meanwhile Johnson is a GIANT bust.
Shakes Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 1:02 pm
@mrbrett7,
Roman Vopat
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tim chaney Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:53 am
@mrbrett7, james neal… couldnt hickey, and another prospect, and a pick got him from Dallas?
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Off Topic: I am going to be on a business trip in Fresno on Wednesday. Does anyone know where I can watch the Kings vs. Ducks game? Does Fresno get Fox Sports West?
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Puckn-A Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 9:39 am
@Zach, most sports bars that have Direct TV get all the Fox Sports channels. Tip the bartender and get him to change 1 of the tv’s to 692 or 694 if on PT.
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Zach Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 9:53 am
@Puckn-A, Cool. Thanks. Big game. Go Kings!
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What happen to LORD MIncus or what ever his name is??
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hockeyfanB4gretzky Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:37 am
@king lopez, Juraj Mikus just signed a autograph for the most interesting man alive.
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king lopez Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:01 am
@hockeyfanB4gretzky, LOL! Every time i ask about this guy people have somthing funny to say. But no really, what happen to him? there was good talk about this kid so why not bring him in?
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Token Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:01 am
@king lopez, lord Mikus is playing the KHL. I think in Spartak Moskow.
Saw him in a game over Xmass playing some tournament in Switzerland. He was godlike.
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king lopez Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:02 am
@Token, Oh, so we can’t call on him?
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KC23 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@king lopez, No we can’t, Manchester is all filled up.
Anyone know if the Kings are practicing today at Toyota Sports Center? It’s 9:45am and there’s nothing to do!
GO KINGS!
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Ryan Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 9:44 am
@mash-ola, I think practice is at 11:30.
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 9:47 am
@mash-ola, 11:30
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Ryan Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 9:49 am
@mash-ola, I was probably the public address announcer on the NHL when you might have arrived.
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Guss Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:18 am
@Ryan, Do you have to pay to watch them practice?, and if u express your opinions loudly is it ok?
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Ryan Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:23 am
@Guss, You don’t have to pay. I think they would love it if the fans got involved and keep chanting GO KINGS GO!!! Stuff like that. But I was PA during the tournament for the jr. Kings.
Goring 19 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:02 am
@mash-ola, I thought they had the day off today
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Ryan Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:06 am
@Goring 19, No. What they do is flood the ice first to fix it.
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nhl.com has us at the ninth spot in the west. but if you go to espn.com we are the number seven seed wonder which one is right? i think espns is right because we have more wins in the same amount of games played! or am i just a homer and love the kings. there better be a trade in the works so we can score some goals
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Ryan Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:13 am
@matt343, Thn reporting that we are in 9th. Ana should be behind us because minn got 1 pt. And Calgary won.
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Dominick Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:13 am
@matt343, OT and shoot out wins are the tie breaker. The Kings have 7. I think Espn just figures it out without accounting for the tie breakers.
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Ryan Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:15 am
@Dominick, Would love to go by espn right now.
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Dominick Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:24 am
@Ryan, Technically NHL.com is right. If we stop playing things so tight the wins instead of the 1 point bonus losses will even themselves out. Since January 1rst the Kings have played better than 1/2 their games with a 1 goal difference. It’s cool that we’re getting points but at some point we have to start destroying some teams.
Dominick Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:26 am
@Ryan, meant extra bonus points for a shoot out win.
Ryan Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:28 am
@Dominick, yes, What a difference. But I agree, we need to chase teams out of our building or theirs.
matt343 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:15 am
@Dominick, thanks for the info. we just need to win some games and get in. we control our own destiny. that being said i think we will make the playoffs but if we dont get a top 6 forward like everyone is saying we wont make it past the second round. i know hemsky is injury prone but the market is pretty small i think. he has world class talent. maybe take a gamble?
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Portland actually has 4 games in hand…. Monarchs have played 59 games, Portland 55. Kind of funny at Saturday’s game v. Portland…..some of their fans actually think these games in hand automatically means Portland will get all 8 points, wish the Pirates good luck – NOT!
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Since alot of fans think we need another left wing. Can someone tell me why Dwight King or Ray Kaunisto have not been called up? Both are big and strong, both have had preety good years so far.
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fsd1 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:38 am
@gene, we tried Mr. King already
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CountRockuLA Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:38 am
@gene, Dwight King was up earlier in the year…on the 1st line!
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Ryan Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:41 am
@CountRockuLA, Some work with King and I think he will be pristine (sp) to come up.
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Blurker Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:40 am
@gene, King was up earlier this season and didn’t do a whole lot.
Oh, and if I remember correctly, TM got crucified on this blog for putting King on the first line for a handful of games.
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Ryan Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:48 am
@Blurker, Your right, king was not ready. I meant down in Manchester.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:53 am
@gene, Probably because neither belong in the NHL.
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gene Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 12:11 pm
@mrbrett7, Thanks fans, just wanted to know.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 2:40 pm
@gene, There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of players who have lit it up in the AHL, and never made it to the NHL, simply because they couldn’t. Just because you put up numbers in lower leagues doesn’t mean you will in the NHL.
Rich, FYI it is the Portland Pirates who have 3 games in hand on the Monarchs, not the other way around . Actually it is 4 games , but Portland is playing today , which will get it back down to 3.
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Dean will get a player like number 2 or 3rd plus half injury
player don’t have the money to get a 1 player
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Its a sellout crowd here at Toyota Sports Center watching the kings practice.
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Niklas Hagman placed on waivers.
A streaky unreliable LW, occasional 20G season, one more year @ 3,000,000.
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He is perfect for the Kings!
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Not going to lie. Hickey will not make it to the NHL. In the WHL and AHL he is always injured. Whats going to happen when he plays with the big boys? Trade Hickey please. He’s got a great attitude, but needs to go.
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royalmonarch Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@MiniKing, i reluctantly have to agree with you , he is not playing bad here in Manchester , but for a first round pick , i expected to see a lot more than what hes brought to the table these past two years… i will say that he is well liked and respected by his teammates and is an Assistant Captain .. he needs to raise his compete level if he ever has any hope of making the NHL. im pulling for him to make it .. he still has time to put himself on the call up radar.. hope he does.
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