Rookies Final – Kings 2, Ducks 1 (OT) – George, Lawrence, Sturm

The Los Angeles Kings concluded the 2024 Rookie Faceoff with a victory, as they skated to a 2-1 overtime victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Monday afternoon at Toyota Sports Performance Center.

The Kings and Ducks skated to a scoreless opening period, behind the work of goaltender Carter George. George stopped all 12 shots he faced in the first period, including several without a rebound, as the Kings overcame a 12-5 deficit in shots on net.

The hosts then opened the scoring early in the second period through forward Francesco Pinelli. Los Angeles gained the offensive zone in transition as defenseman Cole Krygier drove down the right wing towards the goal line. Krygier dropped the puck into the slot for Pinelli, who used a quick release to fire past Anaheim netminder Vyacheslav Buteyets for the first goal of the game, Pinelli’s first of the tournament.

Midway through the second period, the Kings made a goaltending change, with George exiting the game after a perfect 15-of-15 performance in net. Erik Portillo made his second appearance of the tournament in relief, coming on for the final 28 minutes and change.

Both teams had a penalty-shot opportunity in the third period but neither was able to convert. Anaheim’s Tyson Hinds was denied by Portillo on the breakaway before LA winger Koehn Ziemmer pulled the puck onto his forehand and saw his shot kicked out, keeping the game at 1-0 after both misses.

Anaheim equalized with a power-play goal in the latter stages of the third period, tying the game at one and sending the proceedings into overtime. Forward Coulson Pitre walked off the wall on the left-wing boards, cut into the circle and picked his spot, beating goaltender Erik Portillo to tie the game 1-1.

The teams went into overtime, the second game the Kings have played in this tournament that extended past 60 minutes. Unlike Saturday’s game versus Utah, the Kings came out on the right side tonight, with forward Quinn Olson scoring the game-winning goal for a 2-1 victory.

Hear from George, forward Kaleb Lawrence and Head Coach Marco Sturm following tonight’s game.

Carter George

Kaleb Lawrence
On his approach this weekend, in advance of his first professional season
Yeah, definitely. I mean, it really opened my eyes, obviously, it was a big, big tournament for me. I really played pride myself on being ready and I think it went pretty well. I’ve got a lot more to show but I’m happy with how it went.

On the pace compared to the OHL and how he felt he matched it
Definitely. I mean, you’ve got to get used to it, it’s a lot faster, [some of] these guys are men too, so you’ve just got to have your head up, but it’s kind of the same game. You’ve just got to get on the walls, get the puck out and go from there.

On getting time with the Ontario Reign coaching staff over the past five days
It’s awesome. I mean, I’ve got to figure out every way to get an inside in here and that’s where I want to play. It was good to see how they run things and it’s obviously very professional, and it’s something that I’m really looking forward

On his versatility, playing both at center and on the wing
I really just look to play the game and wherever they fit me in, I’m just going to try and play that to the best of my ability.

Marco Sturm
On Carter George’s performance tonight and this weekend
Yeah, he was great again today. I said it before, and I will say it again, I’m very impressed of his effort and the way he played at that young age. Even under pressure, he never scrambled, he always stayed calm and he made some great saves today. I would say he was definitely, probably my biggest highlight of the of this weekend.

On Francesco Pinelli tonight and heading into this season
I think he’s a big prospect for this organization. It was a learning curve for him last year, so for me personally, he’s one of those guys who we need him to step up this year. Now I think he feels comfortable around the guys even in the minors too, it’s not an easy league as well. So, for him, I want him to be more dominant, I would say. He had some good moments this weekend, especially today, and I hope he can continue that over next two weeks.

On the way Angus Booth played in this tournament
I just said it to our development guys in the room, Booth was really good, he was really good. He came in a great shape, he wanted to be stronger, he did that over the summer. He was our most consistent – he played all three games on the backend – besides Clarke and I was really happy about this one. I really think he’s going to continue that hopefully over with the Kings and then with us with the Reign as well.

On any standouts from the weekend who perhaps flew under the radar
No, I mean the goalie, I said it before, the goalie was, for me, was the biggest thing and Greentree. I think those were the guys I kind of couldn’t wait to see and they both played well. We had a lot of invites, a lot of different kids, kids I’ve seen before and it was a big, big mix of everything. But those were my two guys.

On the status of Dvorak and Ziemmer this coming season
Yeah, I think with Ziemmer it’s probably going to be, it’s going to be easier, because he’s going to go back to his old team [if he goes back to the WHL]. He’s going to grow as a person and also they help him to move forward as a hockey player. With Devo, yeah, that’s a little tricky one. He was not too happy at home and he was not too happy, I don’t know if that’s the right word, but with the Western Hockey League, not he was probably not too impressed, let’s put that way. So, I don’t know. I think he’s going to be the tricker one of all.

Today’s game concludes the 2024 Rookie Faceoff. The rookies will practice on Wednesday at Toyota Sports Performance Center and then we’re underway with main camp later this week!