As noted earlier, the NHL is now in it’s two-day Christmas break, in which no practices are allowed. The Kings will be back on the ice Monday at 10 a.m. for a morning skate in advance of that night’s home game against Phoenix (a 7 p.m. start).
It’s been a busy couple weeks — you might have noticed — so more than likely, I’ll be away for the next little bit. To all those who celebrate, a very Merry Christmas. To everyone, all the best wishes, and I hope you get to spend some time with loved ones no matter what you celebrate. Thanks, as always, for the support and good times here.
So, for now, I’ll hand it over to you. Anyone have any great hockey-related holiday memories? Skating on a lake after opening presents as a kid? I’d love to read them, so please share. For us Southern California kids, Christmas almost always meant 75-degree weather, which is still special in its own way, right? Enjoy, and be safe and happy.
My hockey related holiday memory was the Kings team Christmas party at the old Forum in 1989. It is unbelievable to me still how down to earth hockey players are. The guy who hung out most with the kids, including a little girl on crutches pushing herself around on the ice, was Marty McSorley.
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thanks Rich for all the hard work.. Have a very Merry Christmas …Relax and enjoy see ya monday at practice
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alex101 Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
@David s., thanks a lot for the hard work Rich, really appreciate it and youre right about the special 75 degree weather, wouldnt have it any other way.
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paige Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
@alex101, Ditto. The blog is the best, and I know it’s a lot of work. I appreciate it all year round!
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A very Merry Christmas to you all and to you Rich, for all you do for us hockey starved, championship starved fans. We do have plenty to be grateful for, at least we have each other! LOL
Most of my Christmas memories are fantastic, very special. It is truly my most favorite time of the year. I’ve lived in a lot of places; it doesn’t matter where you are, there is just something very special about the season. I’ve always loved a white Christmas, the best ones I experienced were in Seattle and Northern Alabama. Christmas in the South is truly a special event, especially when it snows. The homes are beautifully decorated. The hills and mountains are mostly lit up around the countryside in the quaint little towns. I’ve never quite felt the Christmas spirit like I did in Alabama.
I now live in the tropics and, as much as I love the season, it’s tough getting into “Let it Snow, Let it Snow” when it’s 80 degrees outside and the trades are blowing. I definitely miss the lights, snow and spirit of a white Christmas. Regardless of where you live or where you are, Christmas is the greatest season of all.
Merry Christmas and Warmest Aloha’s to all. And may Santa bring all of us a Kings Stanley Cup championship!
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HockeySanta Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 11:00 pm
Holiday Wishlist:
Quick to make the NHL All-Star roster. He is having a career year. He has already set the Kings record for most consecutive shutout minutes (I think he’s 4th all-time, I think 2nd in the “modern era”). Quick is a clear leader for MVP of the team and if LA continue not to score and he puts up his numbers (currently 2.13 GAA, .928 S%, 4 SO & is seeing about 29.4 shots/game) he should be a top contender for the Hart Trophy. Quick is 11th in all-star voting with just over 94k votes, despite being ranked the 4th best goalie on Yahoo Sports (1.Thomas 2.Elliot 3.Howard).
Richards to stay healthy. No question Mike Richards was a huge pickup and the best skater for the Kings so far this season. Richards took a tough hit to the head a couple of weeks ago (no penalty, fine or thoughts from the league) and LA needs him to stay healthy if they want any consistent scoring. Richards should join Quickie as LA’s only All-Star reps (if Kopitar gets on a bit of a scoring streak he has a shot). Richards leads the Kings in most offensive categories (13G, +3, 2SHG, 19% S%). Without him LA is in a lot of trouble.
Kopitar to find quality line-makes. As it stands Kopitar is struggling to find someone to either move off the puck well for him or pass him the puck to him in the offensive zone, two major problems for LA’s top line. Kopitar got off to a fast start when his line-makes moved the puck well and the other team’s D had to play a zone or man-on-man. Now the other D can just double team Kopitar and LA’s top line is useless. Kopitar is LA’s 2nd best forward (10G, 22A, 32P, -7, 9.7% S%) and LA needs him to be their top guy while Richards producers they way he has.
Doughty to earn his money. Doughty is trying to do too much. As a D I’m sure he’s frustrated seeing his team struggle and thinks he has to do more than what LA is paying him to do. LA is paying him to have a high +/- and move the puck well on the PP. If he focuses more on himself and less on the team’s woes his game will improve greatly – a tough lesson for a young high paid D-man ( 2G, 11A, 6PPA, 7PPP, -4)
Brown to play like he did 2 years ago. Brown has changed what he thinks his role is on the team. Brown thinks he has the ability to, like Datsyuk, stickhandle through 4 guys. Meanwhile Kopitar is clearly getting frustrated watching Brown lose the puck in the offensive zone instead of passing to an open Kopitar. Brown need to go back to his instrumental role that was a huge asset 2 years ago for the Kings and Team US – get the puck across the blue line pass to the playmaker, drive to the net and dig the puck out of the corners to set up his snipers. Brown was awesome 2 years ago doing this and both of his teams did very well because of it. Any scoring from Brown is the Christmas Bonus.
New shin guards for Scuderi and Mitchell. They lead the Kings in blocked shots. Mitchell has blocked 58 and Scuderi 52. They need to keep it up, especially in big moments (like Mitchell’s 2 blocks in the final moments in SJ Friday night) for Quick to keep his numbers up.
Jack Johnson to play like his did the first 2 weeks. JJ went from a +6 early in the season with 2 GWGs to a -18 since (team low -12 right now). Johnson seems disinterest and upset that DD is the one in the lime light. If JJ can’t work with DD on the point maybe Sutter could use him to create space for Kopitar as a power forward on the first line. Johnson’s best aspects are heavy shot and big hits (two favorable qualities in the likes of power forwards like Lindros, Iginla and Lucic). If Johnson moved up to LW that will allow LA to keep DD, Mitchell, Scuderi, Greene, Voynov & Martinez when they’re all healthy.
A kick in the pants from Sutter. This team the last couple of months have been playing under their potential. LA came in this season as one of the most talented offenses, but now they statistically have the worst offense scoring the fewest goals so far this season (not to mention not being able to score more than 2 goals in 14 games). Hopefully Sutter can be the guy to get them out of this funk.
Finally a favorable matchup in the playoffs for LA. Last year LA could have beaten SJ if they had Kopitar. The year before they ran into a team that just had more fire power than them. LA still has a good chance at winning the Pac-5 and home ice for the first round. LA has the goalie (Quickie) as long as he is some what rested going into the playoffs.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!
Go Kings Go!
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Merry Christmas Rich. Thanks for doing everything that you do and allowing us to keep our finger on the pulse of our beloved Kings. Also, thanks for taking me off moderation recently, I won’t let you down! Merry Christmas to all.
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The 1990 Stanley Cup playoffs…The Great Western Forum..watching the Kings play the Flames on the glass as an 11 year old. Been hooked ever since. Back then Rich used to type his blog on a typewriter, xerox a few hundred copies, then mail them to us individually.
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Happy holidays Rich, all the best to you and yours. Thanks for everything that you do.
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ive never skated on a pond before but watching this video made me want to go out and find one this winter. does anyone know the closest lake to los angeles that you can skate on? enjoy…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwvfYmpYdaM&feature=player_embedded
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furrylats Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
wow. roller blading in my buddy’s tennis court after school every day doesn’t exactly measure up anymore. i’m gonna go punch my face.
happy holidays to everyone…except you, Bobby Ryan, and you too Clowe!
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DBking Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 6:01 pm
@blahblah, I actually JUST got off a frozen lake. I’m in Whistler, canada though…
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Joel Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
@blahblah, Sometimes, when the conditions are just right, you can skate on the lake at Montecito Sequoia, a resort in Sequoia National Forest adjacent to Sequoia / Kings Canyon National Parks. It’s about 4 hours from LA.
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blahblah Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
@Joel,
thanks. i’ll check it out.
dbking…your name’s not matt, is it?
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Merry christmas Rich! Nice chatting with you in Stockholm
This is not christmas related. But I remember the Olympic hockey final between Canada and Sweden in 94.
Yeah, the one that went to shootout where Forsberg scored the winner (that later became a stamp).
The thing is…I missed it all!! Watching all the hockey made me hungry for real play so I went to the rink after 1st period..
I was pretty upset when I later found out what I had missed..
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#1 item on the my Christmas list every year since I was 1116 is a hockey Jersey. I’m 20 now and I need like 4 more to bye every Jersey in the Kings History signed with the player on the Jersey (:
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FiG17 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
@Subby,
That’s pretty awesome… You’re like a mix between a vampire and Benjamin Button. lol
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:19 pm
@Subby,
Wow, you really are a vampire? Was that you in Twilight, or was it Underworld?
Merry Xmas, Subby!
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Subby Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:21 pm
@Kingsfanone, haha I meant 11! Stupid auto correct -_-
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HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:44 pm
@Subby, Awesome, congrats, I’m sure you’ll get them. Do you have Terry Sawchuks?
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DesertKing Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
@Subby,
Dorian Grey is that you?
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
@DesertKing,
You oughta see what his painted portrait looks like!
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Merry Christmas to all of the LA Kings Insiders, Kings organization, and especially to Mr. Rich Hammond. It’s been quite a ride this season. Let’s hope for the best. gKg!
http://twitpic.com/7xxzkz LBlocal clan 2009.
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My favorite Xmas morning was waking up and seeing the Kings at the top of the standings………Well I meant it will be my favotite xmas moment!!!!!
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Donald Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
@neil, Merry Christmas Neil!…..hopefully YOUR New Years resolution is LESS negativity on this board.
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Playing hockey on frozen ponds in Indiana as kid is one of my favorite memories. The freedom, the cold, never wanting to stop or come in and the simplicity of reveling in what I now recognize as extraordinary moments. Memories that I am beyond fortunate and blessed to have. Mr. Hammond, thank you for refreshing that memory for me – something easy to forget in SoCal for sure. Happy holidays to you and yours.
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RICH…&…EVERYONE…
enjoy the holiday…
(virtually) see you guys on monday…
all the best…(!)
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:20 pm
@variable,
Happy Holidays, dude!
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variable Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 9:46 pm
@Kingsfanone,
same to you…(!)
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Merry Christmas!
Thanks for everything, Rich!
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Two years ago I flew back to Minnestoa to see family. When it came time to land the plane was going through some thick clouds then right when we cleared the clouds I could see about 500 people playing in multiple hockey games at some park that the state set up for this event. Come to find out they do this tournament every year. That was only one of a few times in my life that I had wished my parents hadent move to CA when I was five. It was awesome. Merry Christmas Kings fans.
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brian spain Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
@chuckrocks, Chuck, my Niece is doing an internship a half mile from the pond. That is one of the largest tournaments in the world. It would be neat to see all of those games set up at the same time. I drove her car back to her and drove by the pond. Really cool.
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Merry Christmas and thank you for all the work you put into the kings organization!
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Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all.
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My favorite christmas recollection was back in December of 2011 when Terry Murray got canned…uh, er, wait a minute!
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jess Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@puck73, How about when McNall pulled a Rolls Royce out onto the ice for Wayne Gretzky?
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puck73 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
@jess, I wonder if the I.R.S went to Gretzky’s house to tell him the bad news that it was paid for with stolen money and then confiscated it?
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jess Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:22 pm
@puck73,
Haha! -Maybe not such a good idea to fuze professional sports with the rare coin business?
Kingsfanone Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
@puck73,
Hmmmm, I’ve got this old coin in my possession. Wonder if I can get McNall to look at it for me?
Happy Xmas, dude, to you and the family!
Kingsrule Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 6:38 pm
@puck73, great meeting you @ the game in SJ have a great stay in SF. Merry Christmas. Jon
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puck73 Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 11:58 pm
@Kingsrule, Likewise fellow insider.
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Merry Christmas Rich! Have a great day tomorrow!
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I’ve lived in Southern California all of my 27 years, so I have never been fortunate enough to experience a white Christmas. Although, in 2008, I have never had a drunker Christmas when my entire family and I cruised the “Mexican Rivera.” So, here’s to that.
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Merry Christmas Rich! Thanks for the great coverage this year!
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If anybody enjoys motorcycle riding, attached is a link to a video my son posted through his helmet cam. I think some of us can relate to how stupid we were when we were twenty. You have to at least see the guy at the 5:50 minute mark. That’s crazy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w9PT2MjjUY&context=C3a5b565ADOEgsToPDskJE0-Y0ZvKU_OTXtXBFG0z9
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Sammuch Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
@BringbackButchGoring,
Very cool!
I guess they where all on our way to a Hockey game!
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jason Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
@BringbackButchGoring, haha nice! I have a framed ticket for doing a 95 mph wheelie past a trooper…sigh… he rides with some good riders
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 11:18 am
@BringbackButchGoring, wow… Crazy stunters!!
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Thanks for the well wishes and support of your fans. =)
Hope everyone has a fun and safe time with good people.
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thanks, Rich
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You to Rich, everyone have a joy-joy Christmas!
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My most memorable Christmas was in 1990. The Gretzky era was in full swing, and me and my friends would only get to play a game similar to hockey that we made up. It involved tennis rackets and lawn chairs. I don’t how one of my buddies got us hooked on the sport but he did. Growing up in Southern California meant ice hockey was an after thought, I guess it still is. Anyway that Christmas all of our parents got us those wooden Mylec sticks with the plastic blades, and the orange plastic balls. Some of the guys even got some nets. We were fortunate to have lived on a cul-de-sac and all been around the same age. We set up in the street and played for hours. I don’t think I had ever had so much fun. I was hooked on the sport forever.
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the dude Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@Quiet You,
I was there, and I was that guy. It all started from the great one.
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Well i know are time has been rocky at times please do get some family time in Rich or whatever you decide to do. Thanks for providing this outlet to us the fans. Thanks again,
PS its Xmas and all i want is to be off the bad list
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HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:48 pm
@pr0cess, You too?? Me too, we love hockey don’t we, otherwise we wouldn’t have gotten on the list.
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We are vacationing in Whitefish, Montana, and got to play pond hockey yesterday with 30 Whitefish locals. It was a blast and something my son and I will never forget–getting to skate on a pond with 30 people–including my brother and two nephews from Chicago. It was amazing. It reminded us of the Honda commercial with all of the guys setting up a rink in Canada. A truly communal experience!
Happy Holidays!
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Merry Christmas to you Rich. When I was younger, my parents had a house with a pond near by. I was pretty fortunate to have gotten a new hockey stick every year. After the presents were open and breakfast, I’d go play on the rink with my friend down the street. There would usually be myself, my friend and his brother playing hockey on the pond for hours. Unfortunately my parents don’t live in the same house, but Christmas always reminds me of that.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
@California Royalty,
Happy Xmas, Kevin!
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I guess we all need to take these next few days to forget about hockey. The Kings have not come close to what we all thought they would be. I knew it would take sometime to gel, but not this long. I really want to see this group of Kings to make some noise, but if they keep averaging only 1-2 goals a game, changes are about to come. I bought into what DL preached to us all. The 5 year plan was a good plan, but a not great plan. He has let some good players get away, all in the name of defense. He has two years to bring in scorers, but refused to look behind his bench as a possible problem. I do believe that Jamie K is a problem, but I’m not in the locker room. We have the talent I keep hearing, but maybe we don’t. Last night we all know who the better team was. Yes we played hard and gave it all we had, but still Sharks win. Sharks are a team with an edge. It’s something that we have lost or really never had. There’s still time to turn this season around and make it a success. This season is not lost, but we are going to have to work harder then any other Kings team in recent histroy. If the team pulls it together and does to the hard work, then they may make some noise in the playoffs. Every game fron here on out are big must win games. So far Sutter has not gotten a 0. Phx is Monday. We must not come out flat and blame it on the holiday’s. If this team is not ready to fight for a win against a very good PHX club, then in my eyes the team doesn’t want it bad enough. The last 3 games the Kings played with tons of heart. But if that rubber thing don’t find the back of the net. Many of us will have to think that… DL, this version of the Kings, and Sutter are done.
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USHA#17 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake,
Driving down the mountain in snow storms to the West Valley and Cottonwood Arenas to coach our high school games and practices and skating in the Winter Games at the E-Center.
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Merry Christmas! Thanks for all you do Mr Hammond.
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Merry Christmas to all the friends (and enemies) I have made on this blog.. It’s been a pleasure arguing with you all.. seriously happy holidays and Thanks to Rich for all his hard work. We are the most informed fan base on the globe because of Rich’s dedication.
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408kingsfan Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
@408kingsfan, One more thing.. It was an absolute pleasure watching the game with @puck73 and his girlfriend last night at the HP..
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puck73 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
@408kingsfan, Right back at ya big guy ! Its always good to watch the game with insiders, their friends and family as well.
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jess Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
@408kingsfan, Well said, and Merry Christmas.
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408kingsfan Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:38 pm
@jess, same to you Jess let’s look forward to a new year full of Kings wins!
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Grew up playing hockey in NJ as a kid. Frozen pond hockey (sometimes “1/2″ frozen – DANGER! we just couldn’t wait) was too much fun! Remember getting hit with a frozen puck slapshot in the back of my thigh while wearing nothing but blue jeans in about 20 degree weather- OUCH!!!. Had a gigantic welt for a month. Hurt so good! Nothing that hot chocolate with whip cream afterwords didn’t fix. Trade anything to have that day back – welt and all!
To all Insiders, Kings Organization, and Players: A spectacular Holiday and Remaning Hockey Season!!! GKG!
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Thank`s for everything Rich.Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
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Thanx for all the cork that you do Rich. A very Merry Christmas to you, and the ones you love. All the best.
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my first hockey memory was a really special one. I live in Windsor, Ontario which is just across the river from Detroit Michigan.
My Mom has coached Figure Skating for over 40 years and my whole family grew up figure skating. The first time i put on hockey skates, was a very cold december day. I can’t remember if it was the town or some people on their own, but someone opened the fire hydrant in the park near my house and flooded the park, which eventually froze. this allowed everyone in the area to skate and play hockey in the park. It was really unique because the area where the park was frozen had trees, so all the skaters and players had to skate around them. It was a great first experience on hockey skates and led to passion that i still enjoy to this day. I also rocked my black gretzky era kings jersey at that moment.
My second favourite hockey moment took place many years later. playing on my bantam level travel team we played in the Riverside International Bantam Hockey Tournament. One of the international teams that played that year was a team from the Czech Republic. It was really special because my mom’s side of my family is Czechoslovakian. It was really cool to have that experience.
I will also remember all those intense games right before the Christmas break during my 5 years of junior hockey. How we always wanted to go into the break on a high note.
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petemagoop Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
@Todd, did you play tier 1?
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Todd Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@petemagoop, no, I played 5 years of Junior C… Was the last cut form a couple of tier 1 and junior B teams over the years. I decided to stay at home for university and Junior C was the only league with more than two teams around. The local junior B league only had 2 teams in the area, the rest stretched up to london and sarnia.
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Merry Christmas everyone.
As for Christmas memories/traditions, as a 27 y/o Canadian, I have two words: World Juniors
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Todd Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
@Action, Also my personal favourite, and i know I’m going to get laughed at, but I always loved the Spengler Cup.
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Happy holidays to rich and everybody.
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Happy Holidays to everyone in King’s blogland…
Thank you Rich for feeding my King’s addiction…
If we could keep up the Christmas spirit all year long
The world would be a better place….
I have been spending my Xmas seasons the last few
years in a lot of hockey venues..due to my work…
I get to see a lot of dressing rooms in the NHL….
So all I think about is hockey this time of year..
I grew up in Montreal playing hockey till my teens..
And I love me my Los Angeles Kings…GKG…
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First off, the best of Holidays to you and yours, Rich. If Christmas is indeed about the pleasure of giving, your tank must be full, because this blog has given us all a wonderful dose of both hockey and community. I cannot wait for that night in some future June when the Kings hoist the cup, and I get to at last type here, “Finally!”.
When my daughters were about 9, just before Christmas, I was working on a Toyota commercial shot at the Ice Station in Santa Clarita. The work call was like 3 AM, and they wanted to come with me. They had already been to Kings games since they were 5, but were never actually on the ice. While I was working, the lady at the Ice Station was great. She gave the girls skates, sticks and a puck to keep them busy. When we finally had everything ready for the shooting crew, around 8AM, I went to gather my daughters up, but they insisted I don a pair of skates. The moment of truth was at hand. Were the stories their Old Man told them about playing hockey, high school in Minnesota and pond hockey at Miami University BEFORE there was an actual school sponsored program (are you listening AMart?). Skates were produced. And a stick. It was a lot like riding a bike, you never forget. To this day, they are still amazed that an ovoid guy like me could skate. Even better – skate backwards!
Apparently, old D-men never die. They just put on weight and become Kings fans!
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the world juniors start boxing day, this year taking place in Edmonton and Calgary – always a big hockey story in Canada
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Merry Christmas Hammer, -and to all of the bro-network A.K.A. -my fellow Insiders!
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
@jess,
Merry Xmas, dude!
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jess Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
@Kingsfanone, We need to go to a game together dude!!
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:43 pm
@jess,
I’ll be at the Hammond Suite game Jan 21!
Christmas to me was for the last few years filled with getting ready to fly on Christmas day night. My two daughters played for the San Jose Jr Sharks girls team. Over the week between Christmas and New Years we would fly to NY and the drive to Connecticut for the Polar Bear tournament. It wasn’t so much the hockey, but being with the kids and friends in the cold weather and sharing the moments. My kids no longer play, but they still talk about it all the time to me, and how much fun it always was. No I live in Alabama, still follow the Kings (40 years now!) and just took to the ice today for some simple fun skating. To all of you Merry Christmas! Lets hope for a better 2/3rds left in the season, and to Rich thanks so much for the work you do.
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-Oh and favorite memories:
1.) Watching Milan, Donnelly and Granato speeding down the ice and scoring exciting goals.
2.) Watching McSorely knock out Odgers with the camera zooming-in to reveal his eyes which looked like two marbles in a fish bowl.
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puck73 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
@jess, Mcsorely putting Odgers to sleep was unbelievable.
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To All A Very Good Night and a very Merry Christmas and thanks for all you do Rich and all in tbe LA Kings world, Bob Jim and all there familes too.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hockey in LA! and the World!
Go Kings Go, Lets get it started and go up and up!
Merry Christmas to all the players who are just wonderful and all there family too.
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Rich, Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. To all Kings fans everywhere, I hope you are asking Santa for GOALS and a Power Play that can score, lol. Ho! Ho! Ho!
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petemagoop Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
@Happy Lappy, Santa arrives in Tarrafal, Cape Verde in 4 minutes – getting closer!!
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Speaking of memories:
October 2007
“Matt Welch: What’s keeping you up at night right now?
Leiweke: My hockey team. You know I-I I’m bothered by our hockey team because I wish we were better. I hope we do get better. [...]”
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-oew-lieweke15oct15,0,5239442.story
Merry Groundhog Day
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Merry Christmas to all my fellow Kingsfans from Lake Arrowhead. A little snow on the ground, but clear skies. Hope your all spending it with those you care about. For all those I can’t be with this Christmas, may god smile upon you this Christmas season.
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puck73 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
@Dominick, You are a very patient and gracious soul. I hope the Holidays are the best for you and your family and friends. Cant wait to see you at the Hammond event on January 21st. Oh, your going, you just are finding out now, Merry Christmas my friend!
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
@Dominick,
Merry Xmas, Dom!
And apparently I’ll be seeing you on the 21st also!
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Dominick Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 12:35 am
I am planning on going, and have secured tickets before the season started, but I’ll still be in whatever suite you guys are in. Count on it. Merry Christmas guys, and talk to you soon.
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I grew up in Ontario CAlifornia that is, I would go ice skating and roller skating almost every weekend at the four rinks there.I used to look up at the pictures of the local ice skaters and hockey players,now this was in the mid seventies,I’d probably be coaching the Kings by now,LOL.Got into surfing at 14 and never cared about anything else until my son was born in 88. My son and I got on blades when he was four,we both got into roller hockey,I coached his teams,and when he turned 16 he joined me on my teams (that was a great thing for a father and son to experience).Many Kings games together,as well as many FF games. I have followed this team religiously, and always will.Happy Holidays to all the Insiders,and also to you Rich,and to all the Kings players, Matthew. LVKINGS88
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39uMens6GkY
I just found this – this is just a little north of Mike Richards home town
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Bonvivant1 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:27 pm
@petemagoop, Wow! That just made my wife’s day. Thanks for he share.
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Twas an Insider Christmas
Twas an Insider Christmas, and all through the Land
Not a troller was stirring, not even Rich Hammond.
The postings were hung by the webmaster with care,
In hopes that St Mikus soon would be there.
The insiders were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of 3 goals danced in their heads.
And my wife in her ‘kerchief, and I in my jersey
Had just settled in to discuss the injury to Parsely
When outside of my office there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the living room I flew from above,
Tore off my helmet and threw off my gloves.
The tree in the distance, fireplace aglow
The musty odor of jocks and greatness did flow
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature Zamboni, and eight tiny bloggers.
With a fearless stud leader, Like Jonathon Quick
I knew in a moment it must be St Mick.
More rapid than slapshots his bloggers they came,
And he pointed, and shouted, and called them by name!
“Now Puck73! now, Dominick! now, Poorman and IceGuy!
On, Cynic! On, Wavesinair!, on Variable and Marc Nathan!
To the top of the Keyboard! to the top of the wall!
Now blog away! Blog away! Blog away all!”
As Sutter our coach proclaims with a sigh,
‘This is not Baseball!’ ‘It’s a 3-2 league guy!’.
So up to the next thread the bloggers they flew,
With half cocked ideas, and St Mikus there too.
And then, in a twinkling, I Read on the board
The hemming and hawing of each little sport.
With my hands on my head, Fists clenched now to pound,
Down the chimney St Mikus came with a bound.
He was dressed all in blood, from his opponents he slayed,
Wore their teeth as a necklace from the game he just played.
A big bag of pucks he had flung on his stick,
And he looked like a King, his presence was SICK!
His eyes-how they pierced you! His Muscles how scary!
His pecks were like mountains, his fists like sword parrys!
His evil little mouth was drawn down with a grin,
And the hair on his head was flapping in the wind.
The leg of a Duck he held tight in his teeth,
Ripped the flesh from it’s bone and offered a piece
He had a hard face and an ab filled belly,
Shook the room when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was massive and brutal, a pissed off Left Winger,
I laughed and he yelled ‘You Punk, I’m a CENTER’
A wink of his eye and a twist of my head,
Soon gave me to know I was nothing but dead.
He spoke not a word more, but went straight to work,
Knocked me on my butt and called me a jerk.
Then seeing my Jersey, “A Kings Fan!” in prose
Apologized, high fived me and up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his Zamboni, to his team gave a reprieve,
Keyboard a clakcin’ a trail of ice he did leave
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Juraj Mikus to all, and the Insiders a good-night!”
Juraj Mikus everyone! Especially to you and yours Rich, Bob, Jim, Patrick and the Kings.
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forum to staples fan Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
@Cynic, Wow!
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:47 pm
@Cynic,
Ditto WOW!
Merry Xmas!
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@spencerlakings Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
@Cynic,
Awesome!
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Subby Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
@Cynic, that made my day xD
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IceGuy Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:39 pm
@Subby,
An Insider Christmas!
I think Bob should read this on KingsVision!
Well done, my friend.
Peace, Out.
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puck73 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:39 pm
@Cynic, I cant believe I read the WHOOOOOLE thing ! Nice touch @Cynic, Merry Xmas, and I hope I see you January 21st at the Hammond Suite game.
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old man Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 10:21 am
@Cynic, Thank`s so much, that was unbelievable.What a great talent God gave you.Merry Christmas.
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Waterndirt Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 11:30 am
@Cynic, Not a word out of place!!! Best post to date!
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KFII Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
@Cynic, Best poem ever! Nicely done. Merry Christmas!
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vegasking Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
@Cynic, love it. Merry Christmas to all
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tullskull Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 1:45 am
@Cynic, great job! I love it.
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Michael J. Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 8:45 am
@Cynic,
Awesome dude. I think I woke my daughter laughing.
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Best Christmas ever was spent skating all day behind my house playing hockey with the new hockey net Santa got me in 1976 Bucks County PA. All the kids in the neighborhood had their new sticks or gloves. I was also wearing my new Bobby Clarke jersey and played the best I ever had in my life. I don’t think it ever got better than that. I have spent my life trying to match that day, but that was the high point of my career. That was a cold winter, first time the Delaware froze in something like 200 years. That was what a teacher in school told me anyways, first time it froze since Washington crossed it on Christmas 1776. As far as we were concerned the weather was perfect.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
@Osaka,
Merry Xmas, dude!
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puck73 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:42 pm
@Osaka, Merry Christmas dude, I hope @Shakes gets a hold of you, he is in Japan right now. If you dont have his number then email me and I will forward it to you. mikebrnstn@gmail.com
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SLIM Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 10:51 am
@Osaka,
Merry xmas Moby…An oldie but goodie..
The best to you and yours..
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Osaka Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
@SLIM, Hahaha Thanks bro!
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Bay Harbor holiday tournament…anyone?
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Merry Christmas to the Kingdom. Thanks Rich for your efforts they are much appreciated.
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@Rich Hammond,
Merry Xmas, Rich, to you and yours!
You give a bounty of riches to us Kings fans, and its immensely appreciated by myself, and I’m sure everyone!
Thank you!
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puck73 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:43 pm
@Kingsfanone, It goes without saying, you and Brother Phil are the coolest. Text you and call you for sure over the Holidays man !
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 11:53 am
@puck73,
Thanx, puckster!
You are the Cruise Director! Always good to talk with you!
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Rich, u are seriously the most humble, down-to-earth journalist that we could ask for. Wishing u the best and wishing the kings some scoring….beginning Monday.
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To Rich and all of the Insiders, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! May your ice be smooth, your new skates sharp, your Kings tickets in the end where the Kings shoot twice, but most importantly of all, that you and your loved ones share the gift of happiness. Now, it is time to go to bed and get ready for tomorrow morning.
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puck73 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:48 pm
@DesertKing, Gnite Santa D. King ! Merry Christmas to you and yours. Man, it was great to see you and your son at Union Square in San Francisco last Saturday night, it made my Holiday!
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DesertKing Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
@puck73,
You too, Puck! It is all good in the Kingdom, no matter where any of us are
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Thanks to Rich and all the bloggers.
I may not contribute much, but I read it every day!!
Merry Christmas
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Cynic Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:41 pm
@@spencerlakings,
(Pulling hard on jersey) Just remember Bernie, you’re important to this team too! (Pats back)
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@spencerlakings Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
@Cynic, Hahaha
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BEST Kings’ game play I saw for a longtime.Great job on ALL player.Everyone were in-the game.BEST wish to ALL–be safe and healthy…GKG.
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Merry Christmas Rich! Really enjoy reading LA Insider. Happy Holidays all.
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I want to wish Rich and every die hard Kings fan here a Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous new year.
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Merry Christmas, and for everyone who celebrates anything else Merry Christmas.
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It was the Christmas of 48′ and the two presents I got were awesome, one was wrapped and the other not as it was a Northland Pro goal stick and a pair of hockey gloves that could have possibly been in the HOF now because they were rough tanned leather and the cuffs had hard half reeds in them for protection, but to me, it was like I was given a brand new pair of Tacks but those didn’t come until 1975. Merry Christmas to all of you who make this the most interesting blog in hockey and to Rich, the Kings and future Kings, whoever you’re playing for right now.
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I was born and raised in the Philippines so hockey was completely foreign to me. I won tickets at work to the New Year’s eve game at the forum 12-31-92. From that point on I was hooked. Unfortunately the Kings lost that game against Vancouver 5-3. Kirk McLean was the goalie. The Kings started Daniel “the bandit” Berthiuame. Not sure if he ‘robbed’ anybody that night but seeing Gretzky, Sandstrom, Granato and company was such a great memory.
Happy Holidays Rich and LA Kings Insider!
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Santa ,if your listening ,all i want for xmas is my……3 FRIGGIN GOALS!!!!!!gawwwd “O” mighty please help us!!!!MERRY CHRISTMAS KINGS FANS!!(and that means u too Anders Hankansson)
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Dominick Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@Gold Dust, That’s what Quick and Bernier are asking Santa for.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@Dominick,
They both may be asking for more than 3 goals!
Hey, should you be “working” whilest in Arrowhead?
You should be going outside and oogling the view!
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Dominick Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@Kingsfanone, Nothing to do except oogle. After 2 days, I want some Kings hockey instead.
Hockey families in Socal don’t really observe holidays. They observe holiday tournaments.
Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, MLK, President’s Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July, Arbor Day…Sadie Hawkin’s Day…any excuse for a tournament.
I’ve had Thanksgiving meals in McDonald’s, Denny’s, hotels that should be ashamed of what they charge, a trailer park, and whole lot of parking lots.
Holidays mostly mean a lot of miles on the car, driving to and from tournaments. You think that you have to get up early to go to work? Hockey kids have some early games…are you kidding me? 7:00 AM in Yorba Linda? And every coach wants the kids there an hour early. Try finding your children a good pre-game breakfast out of a hotel room at that hour.
I don’t regret any of it. All trips become family trips. You don’t do anything other than go to a kid’s hockey game, but you do it together.
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Dominick Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
@chip, Hockey in Cali has changed over the years. Back in the day, Orange County would be the last place you’d go to have a youth skate a 6 am pre-game. Of course, I still remember when Orange County was all Orange groves.
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Osaka Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@Dominick, Remember when Brea had an ice rink.
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Dominick Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
@Osaka,
Remember some ice rinks, but fuzzy on where they were exactly. I think there was another soewhere past Beach Blvd also (maybe it was Golden west). Off of Garden Grove Blvd. Also a cool outdoor roller rink inside Camalot I used to skate at just for fun. I remember a lot of rinks, but can’t remember where they were exactly because I was too young to drive.
Grand parents have lived at the base of Anahiem Hills all my life, but I was raised in LA, and played most of my hockey all over that area, and surrounding cities.
mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
@Dominick, I was sad to see my old rink in Norwalk gone.
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Osaka Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@mcsorleyfan, Oh I didn’t know it was gone, used to play there years ago. That was one old and cold rink. Didn’t they film part of the movie Yungblood there?
tullskull Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 1:52 am
@chip, Right there with you Chip. I also remember being split up when the kids had different tourneys in different states! The phone became an scoreboard!
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Merry Christmas to Rich and all the insiders!
I didnt play a lot of ice hockey as a kid but Christmas break was always filled with street hockey games.
Growing up on Long Island when the Islanders entered the NHL, my favorite Christmas memories are mornings opening up envelopes with tickets for me and my brother to go to the Nassau Coliseum to watch the Islanders be beaten up by Philadelphia and Boston and the Rangers (the Islanders were pretty awful the first two years but we didnt care, it was HOCKEY!) We didnt know the other teams that well and the upper reaches of the Coliseum were usually empty so we would purposely sit in the upper-most row just below the visiting team’s radio play-by-play guy so we could hear him call the names as the game unfolded. I’m sure we must have sat beneath Bob Miller once or twice, so thanks Bob!
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Happy Christmas [:
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Merry Christmas to you and your family Rich. The great work you do truly is a gift to all Kings fans! And of course Happy Holidays to all the readers as well.
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Merry Christmas everyone!
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wall to wall basketball on the tube – good day to give the big screen a rest I guess
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 9:17 am
@petemagoop, Agreed.
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I got a official Los Angeles Kings trash can for Christmas this year ;D
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 11:48 am
@Subby,
Kewl!
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Marc Nathan Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 11:24 pm
@Subby, no lack of trash to put in it so far this season… let’s hope for some better results soon!
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It doesn’t get any better than this. Presents under the tree, fire in the fire place, and the 1991fact Winter Classic with the Kings versus the Rangers on the Nhl network and Bob Miller and Jimthe Fox calling the game. Oh, and wearing my new Raiders jersey. Merry Christmas everyone!
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Not so much a holiday memory……but the first Kings game I saw live…..
Moved here from Sweden in ’92 and followed them to the Finals on television….
’93-’94 season I saw my first live game at the Forum….Kings vs St Louis and the Kings crushed the Blues 9-0….without Gretzky if I recall correctly…..still have the videotape of it somewhere…
With those two memories, no wonder I became a (frustrated) Kings fan for life…..
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I guess if I could have any wish this christmas it would be shooting pucks on the ice at Staples center with all the insiders. Looking back as a kid, and remembering hockey school, the hockey practices, and especially stick practice on certain weeknights and weekends, that was a place where I could forget everything.
I hope on January 21st that Rich is able to secure that special treat of shooting pucks from the carpet, it’s my favorite. Merry Christmas everyone from San Francisco!
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Ari Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 9:42 am
@puck73, Thats what I am really looking forward to on Jan 21! Really hope so too!!
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
@puck73,
When you get your wrister going, dude, pretty impressive! I’m looking for a goalie mask!
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
@puck73, Can’t wait Puck,this will be my first suite night,be nice to finally meet my fellow Insiders and Rich.
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puck73 Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
@LVKINGS88, Cant wait to meet you and @Ari as well. Thanks for the reply, and we will see you out there then. If you want to communicate with some of the guys on this site via text or phone call, then just email me at mikebrnstn@gmail.com and we can get the ball rolling for you guys. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
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Happy holidays to everyone……today is a day off from stress!
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Merry Xmas to you RICH and family. Merry Xmas and happy holidays to all diehard KINGS fans and bloggers
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Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and all the best in the New Year to all you, my insider family.
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Going out to play street hockey after opening presents almost same thing as a lake right?
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from Chicago a MERRY CHRISTMAS , hoping the new Kings jersy is under the tree to wear Wednesday here when we play the Hawks. Yes I will be thier.. MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!!!
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Merry Christmas to you Rich, and thanks for giving all of us Kings fans the best outlet to talk and find out what’s going on with the team. And Merry Christmas to all the insiders, i hope that everyone has a happy and safe holiday. GKG
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Forum gold Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 11:50 am
@ta, +1. GO KINGS GO!!!
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Playing table hockey with family and best friend Bill using a baking timer to count down the periods. Will we go into overtime? Priceless. GO KINGS GO!!!
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I think that Jonathan Bernier will like to start versus the Coyotes because Quick will be in bench to give him a break because Quick is very tired from back to back games versus the Ducks and the Sharks that Jonathan Bernier will like to start versus the Coyotes
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Merry Christmas everyone!
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Loved Christmas on the ice of Murray Lake, outside Grand Rapids, Mich. Totally different feeling than the LA indoor rinks! Sure Greener and Martinez, two michigan boys can agree. Christmas is still great despite the NBA trying to ruin it for everyone. Go Kings Go!
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Need an idea for spending any holidays cash gifts? The Wall St. Journal (12/17-18) reviews “Hockey Hall of Fame Treasures” 224 pages $39.95. The journal’s content is behind a firewall so I cannot link the article. However, here are a few quotes:
“Displayed here is a century’s harvest of sticks and stamps, pucks and pads, crests and cups, originating everywhere from Saskatchewan to South Africa Editor Steve Cameron smartly pairs collector’s oddities with iconic images. ..it provides an window onto the hockey soul, making the game’s history accessible without pandering.”
“A highlight is the collection of game-worn gear, amateur and pro, from the 19th century to the present. For anyone who has hum our in a hockey dressing room, or lived with a hockey player and his equipment bag, seeing so many pads, skates, gauntlets and helmets together will evoke a nauseating stench. Yet here dozens of them pose as art objects, beautifully photographed. The gear reflects hockey’s ever-present dangers-and its essential madness.”
“For rqa emotional power, however, perhaps no relic in the book can beat a moth-eaten, red-white-and-blue Canadiens sweater (known in Quebec as la sainte flanelle),. worn in the early 1930s . Its owner, the lick-skating folk hero Howie Morena, died at age 34-of a broken heart, it was said-only six weeks after a gruesome leg injury ended his playing career.”
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Dominick Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@JackKent Cooke, If your an old school fan than it’s worth the buy. Nothing more fun than reading about a time when hockey was at its purist state. I own several books on different eras in hockey, and have never regretted owning any of them (of course I haven’t seen the exact journal your speaking of).
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JackKent Cooke Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
@Dominick,
It is a book titled “Hockey Hall of Fame Treasures” edited by Steve Cameron and published by Firefly.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
@JackKent Cooke,
I also may have to find that one! Sounds interesting to me too!
Thanx!
All I really want for Christmas is flow through the neutral zone, and one timers in tight to the goalie. This doesn’t mean I want them for the other team either (for any of you wise guys).
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
@Dominick,
Holds hand up!!!
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puck73 Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
@Dominick, I agree, I would also like Jarome Iginla on our powerplay with Mike Richards. The ultimate playmaker (Richards) and the ultimate finisher (Iginla). I think that would make teams think twice about committing a penalty against us!
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DesertKing Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
@puck73,
I like that but could we get him in under the cap? Maybe Santa can give us a late present?
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AZ King Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 9:30 pm
@puck73,
Not sure I would call Iginla the ultimate finisher. He’s been about as streaky as Kopi over the last few years.
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puck73 Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 12:08 am
@AZ King, There is some truth to what you say. I just like to think if he plays with a center like Richards or Kopitar he will get better looks then he has been getting, especially on the powerplay.
Best memory xmas memory: pretending to be Bob Miller while my bro and cousin play Blades of Steel on sega genesis. Wasn’t bad for a 5few year old!
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from Pasadena Merry Xmas with this modified “Kings Goalie Fan Barbie” doll picture…lol
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2810479872176&set=a.1986937164123.2119901.1564134752&type=1&theater
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I was “baptized” into Hockey in the fall of my my Freshman year at Michigan Tech. Saw my first hockey game that year and have loved the sport ever since. I am sure Bob Miller remembers Tech from the time he was broadcasting for the University of Wisconsin. Tech sharpened my interest in my Sophomore year when they went to the NCAA Finals, however lost that night. We moved to CA in the early 60s and I was going to the old LA Blades games then and have been following the Kings since their inception. Yup I am an old geezer and I really liked the name given to the “geezer” line the last couple years. Thenk you to Rich for all his efforts and thank you to all the bloggers for honing my interest in the Kings and hockey in general. The last few years have been my most enjoyable years as a fan, and I thank Rich and the bloggers of this website for that
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!
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Merry Christmas everyone, hopefully Mr. Sutter Claus can get some biscuits in the basket next week!
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puck73 Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
@DEH, It would be nice to start averaging 3 goals a game. If that starts happening, I like our chances!
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DEH Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 7:59 am
@puck73, Sutter saying that it’s a 3-2 league isn’t really about it being a 3-2 league or not, but more of a motivational thing to get the team to score 3 points, basically score 3 and we should win kind of thing.
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Just bought tickets to the Dec. 31st game against the Nucks. I can’t wait to yell at the Vancouver players during warmups.
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Merry Christmas Rich. Thanks again for your blog. Got my new 2012 Kings players calander for Christmas. Has pictures of Wayne and Ryan. I miss Wayne, but am happy that Mike Richards is here.
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@puck73, The only way to add that much payroll is to subtract equal payroll. I’m not in complete disagreeance that changes might come in the way of a scorer (regardless of wether I feel we necessarily need one, or not), but Iginla hasn’t exactly put Calgary on the map offensively. What makes you think he can do it with all new teammates, and a city he’s unfamilliar with?
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Dominick Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
sorry puk, don’t know it my post ended up down here.
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puck73 Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 12:13 am
@Dominick, I just think he is better then any winger we have. I also like the fact that he is a captain, at 34 has a boatload of experience, and should have better chances to finish playing with either Richards or Kopitar.
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Every year during high school, I would go visit my buddy in New York. We would spend every day, 8am-4pm on the pond playing hockey…playing on the pond is priceless
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I have four hockey related memories that I will always remember:
1. Growing up near Lake Tahoe, a heavy winter storm (1983) dropped so much snow, the accumulation caused so much pressure it collapsed the roof of the Olympic ice skating rink (Blythe Arena) at Squaw Valley. It was later demolished and never rebuilt. Thus ending and ice hockey dreams I had following the 1980 Miracle on Ice.
2. In 1986, when all my school-friends where obsessing about this Gretzky guy, I would ask, “Have you seen this Luc-guy in LA?” I was always an advocate for LA teams. Luc was my guy from that point forward.
3. The 1993 Stanley Cup Final run. Sad ending but that spring turned sport into a cliff-hanger drama I could not turn away from.
4. The come-from-behind game 4 versus Detroit in the 2001 opening round of the playoffs. That game was the equal to me as the Kirk Gibson homer 1988. Truly magical.
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On an unrelated note: I was at the Kings Sharks game in San Jose and I have to say the Kings looked good. It’s such a mental issue with this team it’s not even funny. They had plenty of opportunities to bury it. As a whole they were better than San Jose that night.
This was my first time at the “Fish Tank” and man was I unimpressed. First of all, the hallways at the arena are way too small. After the period is over you have to wade through a sea of people to get anywhere. The food was nothing special. And last but not least, the in-game experience was terrible. Let’s not even start with the fans. I’ve never seen more boring entertainment between periods. The whole experience really made me appreciate being a Kings fan and what we are treated with at staples.
This being said, It won’t stop me from going back wearing the forum blue and gold Kopitar jersey when the opportunity arises.
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Buster Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 7:46 am
@Kingscup25,
I sort of like the Sharks fans (at least those that got to my kettle). We have a mutual hatred of that Ucks team from Anaheim, and we were trading dumb Ucks fan jokes.
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Scott Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 8:46 am
@Kingscup25, I’ve played more games at the Tank (about 6) than I have watched (1). The benches there are one of the worst I’ve played on and I never liked the ice surface (although I’m sure it’s changed since my last game there in ’05). The rink just doesn’t have a good feel to it. It might be that I’m a Kings fan through and through for 25yrs but the 1 game I walked in there to watch I had the feeling that I was about to watch a college basketball game. The rink has zero hockey atmosphere.
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Thank you Rich for all you do. You are such an asset to Kings fans. Merry Christmas.
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First of all, a BIG thank you to Rich! Hope everyone had a great Christmas and that, like others have said, Santa left some goals for in all of the Kings’ stockings! Let’s take it to the ‘Yotes tonight . . .
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I still have this loud ringing in my ears, yet not sure what caused it.
Could it have been the kettle work I did for THE Salvation Army?
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Rich -
Thanks for putting together this excellent blog.
Fellow Kings Fans – Thanks for helping to make this such a great community.
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Yeah, it’s all over with. Now I can go to my first game of the season today!
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