Angeles Analysis – Soarin’ Over California

The first time I went to Disney World in Florida was, well, a long time ago. So long, for all you Disney fans out there, that the Soarin’ ride was Soarin’ Over California, not Soarin’ Around The World.

I really liked that ride. One of my favorites at the park. And it’s still cool, even the one here in California. But the California theme was the OG and always has a special place. As I look at the preseason schedule here for the LA Kings, I got Soarin’ Over California vibes. It’s been an interesting one and look no further than this. The Kings will take on the Anaheim Ducks four times in a span of 14 days, in four different cities. One game apiece in Los Angeles and Anaheim, but also games in Ontario and Bakersfield. Four games in four different California-based markets.

Such is sometimes the nature of preseason, especially for the Kings. It’s always been basked into the schedule to play games in neutral markets. Vegas, Utah, Quebec City……Australia. All fixtures in past seasons for neutral-site games. This year is a bit different, though. The one game at Crypto.com Arena is in some ways about Crypto.com Arena itself. The final wave of renovations are ongoing and getting in multiple times before October 4 could be a challenge.

There’s another benefit, though. The Kings got to deliver NHL hockey to Ontario, with Quinton Byfield, Alex Laferriere and Brandt Clarke headlining the group. Three players who played for the Ontario Reign and have now taken the step to being full-time NHL players. They’ll now get to deliver NHL hockey to Bakersfield in a game between Southern California’s two clubs. It’s one of those things where I think it’s cool to be able to deliver a game like this in a place that doesn’t normally have it. I’ve found that while games at NHL preseason rinks are perhaps easier and smoother, they also carry an aura of just being a game that doesn’t matter. It felt a little bit different visiting Ontario, with a sold-out crowd at Toyota Arena. While I won’t be in Bakersfield tomorrow, with Jared Shafran covering the game for LAKI, it’s got a different feel to it and that lends the possibility of it being a bit cooler.

The Kings have traditionally played preseason games in different places. Frozen Fury helped to shape the franchises that ultimately were placed in Vegas and Utah. Not to suggest that the NHL is headed to Ontario or Bakersfield any time soon, but there is an element to that for the Kings organization. It’s one thing that I think is pretty cool that is done on the business side. When I was younger, growing up in Upstate New York, the New Jersey Devils would often bring an exhibition contest to Albany, NY. It wasn’t like Martin Brodeur was making the trip up from New Jersey but a lot of guys in the NHL were and that was always really cool for me to see. The same way it was from so many I talked to in Ontario and the same way it could be tomorrow evening in Bakersfield.

If tomorrow’s game has a little bit of that impact then it makes it that much more worth it. There are some inconveniences to the team in playing in this game as opposed to say another game in Anaheim or Los Angeles but there are reasons for that. Once the game starts, those inconveniences don’t much matter. It’s hockey, between the boards, plenty to go off. Off the ice, though, there are benefits for the community in having the event in Bakersfield and that’s something that’s important for the people there. I remember it as a fan and saw it in person in Ontario last weekend. Not sure exactly what to expect come tomorrow afternoon but hey, it’s something different. And that, in itself, is at least something to note.

A few, tired Friday night thoughts. Such is Day 9 of training camp. Game coverage to follow tomorrow as we hit the Hump Day of the exhibition season.