The LA Kings improved to 4-1-0 in the preseason as they skated to a 3-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday evening at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, ID.
The Kings opened the scoring just past the midway point of the first period as forward Andrei Kuzmenko scored his first goal of the preseason to get his team on the board in Boise. Forward Jeff Malott perfectly weighted a pass into the slot to a wide-open Kuzmenko, who made no mistake with the finish past Utah goaltender Karol Vejmelka for his first of the preseason and a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.
Just 60 seconds into the middle stanza, the Kings doubled their advantage through the persistence of forward Andre Lee. After Malott and Lee tried to connect entering the offensive zone, the play appeared to be broken up but Lee stuck with it, collected a bouncing puck in the slot, spun and fired inside the far post and into the back of the net to make it 2-0 Los Angeles.
The Mammoth scored twice in relatively short succession in the second period to turn 2-0 into 2-2.
First, forward Cameron Hebig drove the net and cashed in off a Nick DeSimone rebound, burying from close range to get the Mammoth on the board. Later in the middle stanza, Utah tied the game through forward Daniil But, who also had the secondary assist on Hebig’s goal. But, working off the left-wing boards, shot top shelf from the left-hand circle, beating Kings netminder Pheonix Copley on the glove side for a 2-2 scoreline.
As the third period rolled on, Kings forward Taylor Ward scored a goal against the run of play to give his team a 3-2 victory. Ward beat Vejmelka clean from the right-hand circle with a well-placed shot for his third goal of the preseason, the game-winning goal in the win.
Hear from defenseman Jacob Moverare and Head Coach Jim Hiller following tonight’s victory.
Jacob Moverare
Jim Hiller
On Kyle Burroughs, who left tonight’s game early
Yeah, he got banged up, we got a look at him and the results were negative but you never know on this type of thing. So, precaution and we’ll have to get a closer look at him tomorrow.
On the importance of tonight’s game for guys on the bubble and what he saw from that group of players
I thought it was [an important game] and it was an NHL defense over there in Utah tonight, a good defense and so the level of competition goes up for you. Can you push through, who can get forechecking, who can get protect the puck and it was hard. I didn’t think we had that much and that’s a challenge, that you’ve got to assert yourself and catch the coach’ attention, the manager’s attention. I didn’t think we had too many guys that did that today.
On the input he has on those types of decision with Ken Holland and upper management
It’s something we talk about, but I would tell you that every time we’ve discussed it, whether I go first or he goes first, we’ve been in complete alignment. We’ve talked to the other coaches, we’ve talked to the other management people, I think it’s kind of sorted itself out pretty well. I don’t know that there’s too many real debates at this point. We’ll talk again after this game, but this was a tough game to separate.
On Taylor Ward perhaps being one player who did stand out
He’s just been pretty good all over the ice. Three goals, some late power-play goals, he’s made some passes as well, gets into a really good fight, like he’s just getting himself noticed. He’s doing lots of stuff without the puck, blocking shots, there’s a guy I would also throw in there with [Jeff Malott] as maybe as somebody who’s really raised his stock in the camp. He got a chance to play at the end of the season, did a good job, had a good summer and sometimes just a little bit gives you that confidence that, hey, I can play. He’s come back with that attitude this year, that, hey, you know what, I got my taste, I’m an NHL player, I’m going to make a push.
On Pheonix Copley’s game and his chance to play in Boise, where he spends his summers
He stopped the breakaway and thought he was probably the difference in the game in the end. He made big saves early, even though he didn’t have as much work and then at the end they were all over us, so I thought it was a great homecoming. I hope he had a lot of people here tonight, I don’t know how many he had, but when he gets back in the summer sometime, maybe somebody would buy him a beer after a performance like that.
On the crowd and atmosphere in Boise, giving the city. glimpse of NHL hockey
I mean, what a great crowd. First of all, the first impression is walking into the building and seeing what a beautiful building, what a great, energetic crowd. It was full, lots of energy, you could tell they’re a hockey crowd. There’s been good hockey played here for a lot of years. They understood the game and hopefully they liked the effort of both teams and we certainly appreciated their support.
The Kings are scheduled to return to the ice tomorrow morning at 11 AM at Toyota Sports Performance Center.
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