How did Darryl Sutter celebrate his first victory as Kings coach? By nearly hog-tying his backup goalie. I watched Sutter on the bench, to see his reaction after the shootout, and as the players left the bench to high-five each other on the ice, Sutter grabbed Bernier by the back of his jersey, just after Bernier hopped onto the ice, and nearly pulled him down backward. In the NFL, they might call it a horse-collar tackle. Sutter looked like he was roping a calf up on the farm in Alberta. There was speculation that Sutter told Bernier he would be starting tonight in San Jose, but in the locker room, Bernier said Sutter was just giving him some encouragement. Bernier joked, “I thought I had done something wrong.” After today’s skate, Sutter was asked about his hands-on approach with Bernier.
SUTTER: “I just think he did a really good job yesterday. We talked about everybody in the room being a part of trying to create an identity, and I just thought it was important that he knows he’s a big part of that, just because of how he was in the last couple days.’’
And, with the Kings facing back-to-back games, would Bernier be starting tonight? Sutter wouldn’t say.
SUTTER: “Just to put it on record, I don’t say who starting goalies are. This is not baseball.’’
2 minute bench minor for interference with a shootout win celebration.
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loving daryl more every moment!!!
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Hockey & Rocky Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 1:35 pm
@safaribear1218, I gotta come clean, I was on the “NO” side when DL hired Sutter. 48 hours in, I couldn’t be happier. I really believe this is the guy we need. He grabbed that millionaire goalie like he was a pee wee. Sutter is awesome!
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Old school. I like it. I like it a lot.
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I like that he doesn’t say, but it’s obvious JB is starting.
Here’s the vid: http://youtu.be/zvrrAHx_wE0
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 5:33 pm
@wavesinair,
I think Sutter is a better communicator. His grabbing Bernier shows it.
I told my GF that Sutter was telling Bernie he’s starting in SJ when he grabbed JB.
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Well, I like the idea of keeping the opponent guessing. Maybe he could grab Penner like that and get him to score a goal? At the very least, tell him not to commit 2 turnovers that lead to goals by the opposition. Shooting himself in the foot… At that rate, I’d rather see Hunter in the lineup.
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fsd1 Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 1:38 pm
@Jon, uh, Pens was not responsible for the 2 goals, sorry. He is playing his best hockey for the team right now, keep it up Penner!
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vegasking Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 1:54 pm
@fsd1, agree all the way
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DD8 Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 2:21 pm
@vegasking, Me too!
IwantTheCup Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@fsd1, totally agree with you! Penner has stepped it up big time. I’m very happy with his play lately!!
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408kingsfan Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@IwantTheCup, I agree but “stepping up” and scoring goals are two seperate issues. And Penner is payed to score goals.
Christian Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 2:10 pm
@Jon, If we are going to blame someone for each goal then let’s put it on the right players Quick and Bernier. That was an lol styled joke before anyone thinks I’m serious. The cant get caught in a blame game. Or a his plus minus sucks game.
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HA!!! That’s awesome…
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“Sutter looked like he was roping a calf up on the farm in Alberta.”
Good one Rich!
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goldielocks Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@LB,
And what Sutter said to Bernier was “Where’s your damn cowbell, boy?”
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ten for instigating Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 2:19 pm
@goldielocks, as long as the branding iron doesn’t come out
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fuzzerson Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@ten for instigating, unless it is the kings logo…
Loving this guy more and more by the moment..
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And if you were all watching the game, just before they dropped the puck, they showed Sutter on the bench leaning over Penner “whispering” in his ear…..not sure if anyone interviewed Penner to see what he was saying to him, but looked like a pep talk…
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DesertKing Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 1:44 pm
@scotth,
“You don’t show some hustle, you will be playing softball next season in a women’s over-50 league”
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Who Knows? Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 1:45 pm
@DesertKing, Wasn’t that Dean?
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DesertKing Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 1:59 pm
@Who Knows?,
Who hired DS?
Shakes Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@scotth, “be careful, there may be a horse head in your bed tomorrow”
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Whether or not that’s really what he said… that’s a pretty good message to send to your back up goalie.
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I was at the game last night, and did anyone notice that check Brown laid out on that Duck in the corner? I swear Dustin had him lined up PERFECTLY. But it seemed that Brown let up at the end and simply knocked his man off the puck, and eventually on his ass. The old Brown would’ve DEMOLISHED the Duck, maybe it’s the rule changes have affected his hitting. Brown was throwing his body around last night and it was a welcome sight to see. Welcome back Captain!
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safaribear1218 Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 2:04 pm
@soyokaze, i think he wanted to avoid a boarding penalty, other then that he was taking the body to everyone. i would like to see getzlaugh get a fine for his shove on brown in the third. That could have turned ugly if brown smacked his head against the wall.. that was really reckless
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Just in….video inside the Kings locker room..must see..http://youtu.be/DnVrSZHnvYY
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neil Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 2:00 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnVrSZHnvYY
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@neil, its like looking in a mirror
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KingOfRedlands Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 5:34 pm
@neil, that was perfect. I was thinking the same thing
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As long as Sutter is able to push button, I’m happy.
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I don’t care who the coach is and what they do, as long as the Kings are holding a old silver Cup above their heads in June. That is really all that matters with me.
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I definitely would like to see Bernier start more games so he can be kept fresh and also give some time off to Quick so he can stay fresh for the playoffs. Bernier should at least be in 20 games a season.
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Nothing against Bernier, but we need Quick tonight if we have a chance in hell of beating the Sharks.
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Yeah, Sutter’s surprising me as well. I like it. I like how he puts a hustling Richardson on the 1st line. TM wouldn’t ever have done that. and you get the feeling Sutter really sees Bernier’s talent, and might give him a chance to prove himself. As good as Quick is, he has had a habit of giving up late goals on a regular basis. It seems Sutter might have given Bernier a start in the playoffs last year. That wouldn’t have ever happened with TM. Anyhow, I hope for everyone’s sake, this works. I do expect the team to get spanked tonight by San Jose given the back to back. But then, I’m in Vegas right now, and what happens in Vegas…may have me missing the game because (Fill in the blank) ___________
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408kingsfan Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 2:38 pm
@Poorman, double down poorman double down
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HBFan Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 3:40 pm
@Poorman, You’re blogging when you’re in Vegas??? I thought gambling addiction was bad. Cut the cord/wireless.
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whether our record improves or not, he’s going to be a VERY entertaining coach, that’s for sure. and it’s gonna keep the players on their toes. They’ll never know if it’s a tackle or a bear hug coming at them.
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I like DS too, but before we all start praising the “new” Kings, lets remember that they barely beat the 2nd-to-last place Ducks, and it’s only been 1 game since DS jumped onboard. Tonight will be a good test to see how good we really are with the new guy.
And please understand I’m not being negative, I’m just cautiously optimistic.
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Poorman Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 3:06 pm
@John, I agree with you. They’ll probably get a good beatdown tonight, but there’s no doubt this coaching change was the right move. You can see how set in his ways TM was in just the first couple days with the new coach. The energy that Richardson brought to that 1st line was such a nice change. Voynov looked pretty good too. It’s obvious this new coach recognizes talent in these young players like Doughty, Voynov, and Bernier. And it seems like he really likes effort with Richardson and Lewis moved up.
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Kings played a better style of game against Toronto but they made more mistakes. The jury is still out on Sutter. I hope he is the guy but, the lombardi interview about him spooked me . All that “playing the game the right way” nonsense. I hope that isn’t the old we play D and whatever else happens is a matter of luck.
We got a W but I hope Sutter has more ticks in his bag that Murray had.
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So, someone posted last night that we already had a #1 goalie. Well when you are playing a team ahead of you in the standings, with 2 games in hand and 40% of the season over. You start your number 1. Have to go to work shortly. Hope when I get home and listen to end of game on the net I hear “Save Quick!”
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Eventually Sutter will employ a lasso so he doesn’t have to chase them down and wrestle them bare handed. Then he can brand the Kings logo on their butts with a branding iron.
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Wait, wait, wait! When did they start announcing the starting goalies in baseball?
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Purple and Gold Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 5:10 pm
@Ted, I chuckled
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You know what I knew Sutter was going to be great for this team, and to pull Bernier aside and give him encouragement is just classy, plain and simple.
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“I just thought it was important that he knows he’s a big part of that, just because of how he was in the last couple days.’’
This didn’t stand out to anybody?
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Adam Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 4:44 pm
Specifically the last part. Maybe Bernier is feeling down in the dumps? Don’t know why he would be…nothing has really changed
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