Frozen Fury XV details, plus Kings-Ducks pre-season game

Somebody warn Elvis, the Kings are returning to the Las Vegas desert for another tilt vs. the Colorado Avalanche.

Frozen Fury XV will take place on Saturday, September 29th - at MGM Grand Garden Arena, just like usual. Although this will be the 15th edition of the annual pre-season spectacular, it will actually mark the 17th time the Kings have played a game in Vegas.

Back in 1991 they hosted the New York Rangers for an outdoor game at Caesars Palace (video) and Frozen Fury II was actually a double-header, with games on Saturday and Sunday nights.

LA holds a 10-5 record in Frozen Fury games and Colorado is 5-8, including a decisive 4-1 victory this past October.

In addition to the 13 games vs. the Avalanche, the Kings have also played one game each against Phoenix and San Jose (losing both). The were scheduled to play the Anaheim Ducks in 2004. However, that game was cancelled due to the NHL lockout.

The weekend after this year's edition of Frozen Fury, the Kings will host the Anaheim Ducks at Citizens Business Bank Arena - home of the Ontario Reign, LA's ECHL affiliate. It will mark the second time the Kings have played there, having lost to the Sharks 2-1 in a shootout in 2009.

Earlier this season, the Kings and Ducks split their annual pre-season series, with each team winning on the other's home ice by a final score of 3-1.

Ticket information and additional pre-season games will be announced at a later date.

If you've never taken the Frozen Fury Trivia Challenge, give it a try here.

The Mayor
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LA Kings vs Colorado Avalance - Saturday, September 29, 2012 in Las Vegas, NV
LA Kings vs Anaheim Ducks - Saturday, October 6, 2012 in Ontario, CA

Quotes from Avalanche locker room after def LA 3-1

Colorado's Giguere and Mueller

In two previous games vs. the Kings this season, the Avalanche were out shot by a wide margin, yet still came away with victories each time. Last night, Colorado out shot LA 31-26 and 16 of the Avs' 18 skaters registered at least one shot. They also won the game 3-1, with the final contest of the four-game season series set for February 22 in Denver.

After the final buzzer, here's what they were saying back in the Avs dressing room...

Coach Joe Sacco:

On the overall game - "I thought we played well tonight. I thought we had a really good first two periods and I like the tempo in our game. I thought our guys competed real hard tonight. We got down a goal and stuck with it and we were able to respond right away there right after they scored. It was nice to see a guy like Cody (McLeod) get rewarded for a lot of hard work that he does. It was a nice play by Elliot on the goal, a nice outlet pass to him. It really was a good effort from all of our guys tonight and that’s a tough team to play against, to come in here and grab a couple points. We’re very pleased."

On the play of goalie JS Giguere - "He was solid tonight. He gave us a chance to win and that’s all we ask of him. Goaltending is important for every team. This league, you look around, you need saves at critical times and at big moments and I thought their first power play he made a big save right away to start the game. He made a couple other great saves but again, I go back to our overall team game tonight. We had some passion tonight and we had some desperation. That’s how you have to play at this time of the year if you really want to be a playoff team. It’s a tight conference, it’s a tough conference, and we’re just trying to get points."

Kings locker room - frustration abounds after 3-1 home loss

The Kings had a chance to move into first place in the Pacific Division with a win last night. However, it wasn't meant to be. In front of the 24th straight home sellout, LA lost nearly every statistical category - including hits, shots, faceoffs and goals. After the 3-1 Colorado win, here's what they were saying back in the Kings locker room...

Captain Dustin Brown:

On the overall game - "It’s hard to get shots when you don’t have everyone playing the right way. It’s going to take 20 guys; tonight I don’t think we had 20. It’s hard to say [how many guys were playing the right way] right after a game. I’m sure it will be clear on video, but we need more. Tonight we had some good lines, but you need four lines if you want to win games in this league, bottom line."

On the cycle shifts - "Last game I scored a goal in the cycle and tonight Kopi scored a goal. Just commenting on my line, I thought we had a lot of good cycle shifts and some good opportunities throwing the puck in their zone. We got one goal; we could have had a couple more. If you look at our good games over the year, our third and fourth lines are having cycle shifts for an extended period of time and, like I said, it’s hard to comment on whole game."

Justin Williams:

VIDEO: Highlights from the Kings 3-1 loss to Avalanche

Earlier tonight, the Kings lost to the Avalanche for the third time this season. Colorado had goals from Cody McLeod, Peter Mueller and Gabriel Landeskog. Contrary to Jack Johnson's pre-game prediction, it was Anze Kopitar who scored first for the Kings (and it was also the only time they were able to sneak one past JS Giguere). Jonathan Quick entered the season 7-0-1 vs the Avs in his career, yet he's been in net for all three losses. Here are the game highlights...

The Mayor
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LA's Jack Johnson on the 'creative and unpredictable' Avs

Earlier today we posted comments from coach Darryl Sutter, who pointed out the Kings have out shot the Avs by a wide margin this season, but have lost both games. Tonight marks game three of the four-game season series.

In sharp contrast to Brad Richardson - who seems to love playing against his former team - Jack Johnson has only recorded points in one home game vs Colorado in his career (two assists on February 13, 2010).

Prior to tonight's contest I asked him if the speed of the Avs was their number one asset?

"I don't know if that really pops in my head. They're a team that for some reason, they've been a tough team for us this year. I think they have some talented young forwards, for sure. I think that's the strength of their team - their young forwards up front. They're creative and unpredictable, that makes for some dangerous moments in a hockey game.

Now, a few weeks ago Dustin Brown correctly picked Drew Doughty to score the first goal of the game vs. Phoenix. Who does Johnson think will light the lamp first tonight for LA?

"I'll go with Justin Williams, he's been hot lately."

If you want to get in on the MayorsManor First Goal Contest, be sure to leave a comment below or post something on the official facebook/twitter links that will go up about 30 minutes before game time. One random winner from all entries received tonight will win a free pair of tickets to Monday's game vs. the Senators.

In the meantime, to read more about Brad Richardson - the human avalanche - click here.

The Mayor
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Sutter's 3-word summation of the Avs - 'They're still great'

As the Kings and Avalanche enter tonight, both teams have played 48 games. The somewhat surprising statistic is that Colorado has actually won more of them, 25 to LA's 23. Most people were expecting the Kings to contend for the Pacific Division crown this year, while Avs coach Joe Sacco was rumored to be on the hot seat just last month.

Both teams are taking an average of 31 shots per game. Yet, like just about every team in the league, they're scoring more goals than the Kings, 124 to 106.

Colorado visited LA earlier this month, and - surprise - the game was tied after three periods. In fact, nine of the 15 games played since Darryl Sutter took over behind the bench have needed more than 60 minutes.

"We've played them twice (this season)," said Sutter. "Once when I wasn't here, we lost up there 3-2. Then, we lost here in the shootout. If you break it down...shots for and against, well, we've out shot them 2-1 and haven't beat them yet. So, it's about finishing opportunities. You have to handle their skill. They're still a great - it goes back to Sakic and Forsberg, it's still in their system, the triangle and the way they play in the offensive zone. This group carries that on for them. Those kids are quick. You have to be able to defend really well against them or they're going to...they're a quick team."

Goalie Jonathan Quick has been in net for both losses to the Avalanche this season, a rather odd stat considering he entered the year with a 7-0-0 record and two shutouts against them.

On the positive side, LA is 4-0-2 at home against Colorado since October 2008. So, tonight gives them a chance to pick up at least a point in seven straight against them at Staples Center.

One definite change from the other two contests this season will be the addition of Peter Mueller (a teammate of Jack Johnson's back at the US National Development Program) to the Avs line-up. He recently returned after missing all of the 2010-11 season and the first 40 games this year.

Full rosters and line combinations for both teams will be posted later today.

The Mayor
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Dustin Brown shaken up on play, sees the doctor twice

Late in the game Monday night vs. Colorado, with LA on a power play, Dustin Brown was hit in the head with a puck right in front of the net. It was a play that may have gone largely unnoticed, except for when the Kings captain went to skate after the puck in the corner, he fell down and seemed out of it as he skated to the bench moments later.

Coach Darryl Sutter gave one of his (gaining in popularity) three-word answers when asked about it after the game - "Pucks are hard."

So, following practice today, I asked Brown what was going on there and if he had he fully recovered before taking his turn in the shootout.

"I feel good today," said Brown. "I think that's kind of natural. I went to tip it and I think their D hit it and (the puck) caught me right under my helmet - on the back of the head. Yesterday I went and saw the doctor and I saw him again today. So, everything is good."

As for the little twirl around the ice he took right before the shootout, Brown explained it this way - "My balance was off a little bit, getting back to the bench after (the hit). I just wanted to make sure I could skate before I went in the shootout."

Taking nothing away from Avs' goalie Semyon Varlamov, perhaps that's part of the reason why Brown missed on his shot.  He had been red hot recently, picking up the deciding goals in shootout wins vs. Anaheim and Toronto just before the Christmas break.

The Mayor
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RELATED ARTICLES:

Captain Dustin Brown on LA's effort - 'That's what it's going to take'

Dustin Brown explains why his hit totals are down 24% this year

Bernie Nicholls on his day at practice, possible interest in being a coach and love for Sutter

Matt Greene's New Year's Resolutions for his LA Kings teammates

Dustin Brown on what the Kings used to beat the Ducks

Quotes from Colorado locker room after 2-1 win vs LA

The Colorado Avalanche trailed the LA Kings in shots 12-5 after the first period. The game was scoreless. 
LA was up 1-0 after 40 minutes and led in shots 21-12.

Then, with less than six minutes remaining in the game, Ryan O'Reilly scored to tie it. Nothing happened in overtime. And the Avs' Milan Hejduk - a Kings killer his whole career - scored the only goal in the shootout.

After Colorado's 2-1 win, here's what they were saying in the visiting team's dressing room...

Coach Joe Sacco on the overall game - "We have some confidence if we do good in shootouts. We have some guys who really know what to do with the puck and when you feel good about yourself and those situations you can build that confidence. It’s a big win tonight. Obviously it’s another conference win against a team that we’re fighting with in points. It’s a good game. Our goaltender was solid all night long. Varly (Varlamov) played really well, gave us a good chance to win tonight. After that first goal that they got we started to get our legs and started playing more. Good result tonight for our team."

EXCLUSIVE: Jarret Stoll postgame comments after 2-1 loss

LA Kings center Jarret Stoll couldn't deliver one of his patented shootout goals and the Kings fell to the Colorado Avalanche 2-1.

For the night, Stoll had two shots on goal, four hits and one blocked shot in 18:12 of total ice time.

After the game he shared the following comments...

On when he was clipped in the face with a high stick late in overtime - "It's just one of those plays. We have to bury that on the power play. We have to bare down. We have to make good passes, flat hard passes - at that point, the ice isn't very good at that stage of the period. You have those big moments in games at key times, and that was definitely one of them. We had a 4-on-3 for over a minute. That's the game right there.

On only taking three faceoffs in the first period - "Yeah, it was an odd period. That had that four minute penalty and then it was 4-on-4 right away. Some periods you just don't get many draws. I don't know, it's weird. That was definitely one of those periods where I wish I had more."

On Colorado's overall pressure - "They were waiting, but they're smart. They work hard, they still battle. You can tell they're a very well coached team. They think out there and they're a fast team out there. They get on you and when they sense a turnover or sense a bad pass, they're right there pressing up. They're a tough team to play. They're well balanced up front with hard working guys and their D are steady. They're playing well right now and they're missing, arguably, their best player in Matt Duchene.

More post game notes and quotes coming up.

The Mayor
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RELATED ARTICLES:

Stoll and Doughty talk about the 'love tap' goal celebration from last week

Matt Greene's New Year's Resolutions for his LA Kings teammates

Mike Richards on missed opportunities

Kings center Mike Richards has quickly picked up on the fact things are tight in the Western Conference.

Last year, the difference between home ice in the first round of the playoffs (Anaheim) and sitting at home watching (Dallas) was four points. FOUR POINTS! That's only two games.

By contrast, fourth to ninth place was a 15 point gap in the Eastern Conference.

Thus, the old adage that 'games in October count just as much as the ones in April' is even more true for teams out of the Eastern Time Zone.

As an avid fisherman, Richards knows all about the one that got away. And after practice yesterday, he was still thinking about the missed missed opportunities in Denver on Sunday - where the Kings outshot the Avalanche 32-16.

Still, LA never led in the game - but, also never trailed by more than one goal. They tied in twice, yet lost by the final score of 3-2. 

"It was tough. It was one of those games I thought we played well and we dug in, " said Richards. "Obviously, we lost the game. But, at the same time we probably could have earned at least a point there, if not won that game - if we had a couple good bounces. Road trips are going to happen and at the end of them you just have to dig down and focus on doing the right things and not worry about or psyching yourself out with being tired."

NHL 2011-12 season predictions - timing is everything

Predictions - everybody loves them and if you're correct about half the time, you're doing pretty well.

Two years ago I had the Los Angeles Kings finishing sixth in the Western Conference. Nailed it.

Last season, I slotted the Kings at fourth during my NHL season preview article. That's certainly where they should have finished, if not for their horrible losing streak in November. As such, they ended up seventh - three notches back.

Further, as noted at the time... If GM Dean Lombardi added a high-end player before the trade deadline, the Kings would challenge the Sharks for the Pacific Division.

Which sort of brings us to this present.

Sure, Lombardi added Dustin Penner at the deadline last February. And getting a guy to play on the top line with Anze Kopitar definitely qualifies as a big move. However, the addition didn't net the desired results. Couple that with a power play that saw a huge drop off from the year prior and the aforementioned losing streak to dig out of - well, the timing wasn't right for a run at the Sharks.

Things have now changed.

Penner spent the summer committing himself to conditioning. Check.

Lombardi went out and acquired the long-needed second line center in Mike Richards. Check.

With Ryan Smyth's departure to Edmonton, the Kings had a new hole at left wing.  They could have moved a prospect in - an unproven commodity - or have relied on a role player to fill the hole, essentially asking somebody to try and overachieve. Instead, Lombardi signed veteran forward Simon Gagne.  Second line, check.

On defense, all six starters from last season - and arguably the best collective unit of six in the Western Conference - return and are back on the blueline. Check.

In net, it's Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier reprising their roles in Battle of the Goalies part II. Quick has spent two years rewriting the Kings record book and Bernier was lights out in the second half of the last season. Coach Terry Murray says he's going with the hot hand this year, rather than a planned 60 games-22 games split. So, goaltending - check.

What does this mean for the Pacific Division and the Western Conference?

After hearing bits and pieces leaked over the last few weeks during various radio appearances and on twitter, here are the official MayorsManor predictions for the 2011-12 NHL regular season...

LA Kings Frozen Fury XIV Primer - TRIVIA TIME

Yes, what happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas. In this case though, let's see how much of the action on the ice has seeped into your brain - or at least how much of it you retain.

For the 14th time, the Kings will host their annual pre-season game in Las Vegas later tonight. Ask anyone who's ever attended and they'll tell you the same thing, it's unlike any other pre-season hockey game.

A lot has gone down in the last decade-plus. Let's put your knowledge to the test with a (not so simple) 10-question quiz. How many can you get right?

You'll need at least eight correct answers to be considered part of Kings Royalty...

1. In the history of the Frozen Fury series, the Kings have played three different teams. Name them.

2. How many wins do the Kings have at Frozen Fury?

3. Who scored the first ever Kings goal at Frozen Fury?

Kings at Avalanche: pre-game links, rosters and listen live

A few quick links to get you ready for tonight's game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Colorado Avalanche:

* Over the summer, the Avs signed free agent defenseman Shane O'Brien - that's a name Kings fans may remember from the 2010 NHL playoffs, when he was with the Vancouver Canucks. Kevin Westgarth and former King Wayne Simmonds spoke about his antics on MayorsManor last season (article).

* Brad Richardson - a one man wrecking crew against his former Avalanche teammates - was featured in a MayorsManor article earlier today. He's fighting to land one of the the final roster spots on the Kings third or fourth lines.

* The guy who seems to be on the hot seat right now, Scott Parse, is back in the line-up tonight. Earlier this week he thought his problems were between his ears. Coach Terry Murray was going to meet with him late Monday to see what was going on. Full story here.

Projected Kings line-up:

LA Kings forward Brad Richardson - the human avalanche

LA Kings Brad Richardson (photo: C. Ikiri)

The old 'put me in coach' saying could possibly be modified for Brad Richardson. 'Plug me in' coach may be more appropriate for the versatile forward.

Last season he played just about every position among the Kings four offensive lines, including a few stints on the top line with center Anze Kopitar.

Given his choice, Richardson says he'd rather be in the middle.

"I like center - that’s my natural position. But, it's pretty tough on this team to be a center - unless someone’s injured, like last year," said the Kings utility man. "I'm comfortable on the right side, left side — the wing positions don't matter to me, it's just a side. Any forward position is fine with me."

When he plays in Colorado though, like the Kings are tonight - he simply looks for quality minutes.

Hockey players have long been known for performing well against their former teams and Richardson is no exception. Originally selected by the Avs in the fifth round of the 2003 NHL Draft, he was traded to the Kings in 2008 for a second round pick. Since changing jerseys, he's scored five goals in nine games against the Avs. In 171 other games for the Kings, played outside of Colorado, he's scored 13 goals (a conversion rate of 8%).

Further, in 244 total games played outside of Denver, Richardson has 27 NHL goals (a conversion rate of 11%). Conversely, in his 72 games at the Pepsi Center, he's found the back of the net 10 times (14%).

In two pre-season games this month, he's been on the move again.

10 Key Dates for LA Kings, including 2011 training camp

Soon after the Stanley Cup parade takes place in some North American city, it happens.

Millions of fans everywhere began to experience hockey withdrawals, or 'summer' as it's more commonly referred to.

Fortunately, the early part of the off-season has a hat-trick of activities that can partially keep the fire stoked via the NHL Awards, NHL Draft and start of free agency.

Then, today comes. People flip the calender to August - well, those that still literally do things like that - and realize there's not one thing scheduled even partially resembling the sport they love.

Bare with us though. You can do it. Make it another 30 days and look what's on the other side...

10 KEY DATES for the LOS ANGELES KINGS

9/10 Rookie Camp opens at TSC in El Segundo, CA (runs through 9/13)

9/11 HockeyFest 2011 at Staples Center

9/13 Kings Charity Golf Tournament - Industry Hills, CA

* 9/14 Rookie game vs. Phoenix Coyotes 6pm - at TSC in El Segundo, CA

* 9/15 Rookie game vs. Phoenix Coyotes 2pm - at TSC in El Segundo, CA

9/16 Main Training Camp opens at TSC in El Segundo, CA (off-ice)

* 9/17 On-ice workouts begin for main camp roster

9/21 Pre-season game: Phoenix Coyotes at LA Kings (Staples Center)

9/25 Pre-season game: Anaheim Ducks at LA Kings (Staples Center)

9/30 Pre-season game: LA Kings at Anaheim Ducks (Honda Center)

10/1 Frozen Fury XIV: Colorado Avalanche vs LA Kings (Las Vegas, NV)

10/7 Opening Night: NY Rangers vs LA Kings (Stockholm, Sweden)

10/8 NHL Premiere, Game Two: Buffalo Sabres vs LA Kings (Berlin, Germany)

* denotes update, as of 8/18/2011

Hockey season is almost here.

Hang in there. You can do it.

In the meantime, be sure to keep up to date this summer with all the news and inside information right here on MayorsManor. Just this weekend, we had an exclusive interview with Colin Fraser about his injuries, the Dodgers James Loney talked about his desire to play hockey at Staples Center and Rich Clune shared his thoughts on Bud Holloway leaving the Monarchs for Europe.

And there's lots more to come...

The Mayor
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More history - of the 25th kind - to be made today?

Some of the best creations to ever come out of the NHL's Marketing Department are the 'History Will Be Made' commercials.

In about 30 second intervals they capture the greatest moments in hockey by simply using clips from a game, some music and a thought provoking question.

Even though the Kings are still searching for their first Stanley Cup, the team and their current roster of players have celebrated several momentous post-season events - including a few on this specific day.

Take a look...

April 25, 1993 - Kings def. Flames 3-1, Robb Stauber's first playoff game

April 25, 1997 - Ryan Smyth scores game-winning-goal in double-OT

April 25, 1999 - Michal Handzus plays in his first NHL playoff game

April 25, 2002 - Kings def. Avalanche 1-0 in OT, Felix Potvin shutout

April 25, 2006 - Jarret Stoll scores game-winning-goal in double-OT

April 25, 2011 - TBD

Tonight at 7pm the puck drops in downtown Los Angeles. Can the Kings muster up so more history and force a game seven?

That will still have to wait a few hours.

Until then, check out this interview with Stauber, where he relives the Kings 1993 playoff run.  After all, without him, they most likely wouldn't have made it out of the first round.

Every series has a playoff hero.  Who will get the job done for the Kings this year?


The Mayor
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Kings 'Most Likely' Opening Next Season in Europe

There is still plenty of hockey left to be played this season. However, for those looking ahead to the fall, here are two quick scheduling notes:

* As first reported by RinkRat on LetsGoKings.com, the Kings annual pre-season game in Las Vegas vs. the Colorado Avalanche has been set. Frozen Fury XIV will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on October 1st.

[note: for some fun, take the Frozen Fury Trivia challenge]

* On a separate note, as reported a few weeks ago, stories in Europe have been circulating claiming the Kings will open the 2011-12 season in Germany - playing a two-game series with the Buffalo Sabres. A source confirmed to me this morning that the Europe opener is 'most likely' happening. Expect an announcement in the next week or so.

Some will like this, some won't.  If nothing else though, playing two games in Germany (expected to be in Berlin and Hamburg) will offset part of the recently announced ticket price increases for next season.

The Mayor
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RELATED ARTICLES:

Interview with former King Noah Clarke - talking playing in Europe

Welcome to LA - 10 Tidbits on Marco Sturm

Interview with Marcel Goc of the Nashville Predators

Is Buffalo's Lindy Ruff the Original Rob Blake?

10 Tidbits on Frozen Fury XIII

Kopitar, Doughty Power the Kings Past Avalance

Here are a few post-game notes following the Kings 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche earlier this afternoon...

* Weather fanatics get Storm Watch, Kings fans were on Richie Watch with Colorado in town. Of course he was going to the top line. What did you expect? Richardson finished the night with one assist, no goals.

* Jonathan Quick is now 6-0 lifetime vs the Avalanche. He needs just two more wins to become the first Kings goaltender to ever record back-to-back 30 win seasons.

* Is the best defense a good offense? An LA defenseman has now scored in seven straight games. That's a far cry from early in the season when the D wasn't contributing goals at all. Alec Martinez had a nice bounce back game after sitting out the last two (with a goal from the point) and Drew Doughty scored his sixth goal in the last 11 games.

[More notes and video highlights after the jump]

MayorsManor Podcast featuring Tony Granato

When evaluating a trade in sports years down the line if you'd still make the same trade again, that usually tells you which team won the exchange.

In the case of the Kings sending Bernie Nicholls to the New York Rangers for Tomas Sandstrom and Tony Granato, of course they'd do that deal again.

The offensive duo helped propel the Kings to new heights in the early '90s, including a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993.

These days Granato is an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the podcast below we cover a wide range of topics...

On coaching, Granato talks about what it takes to be successful in the current NHL, what he learned from Barry Melrose and if he was ready to be a head coach when the Colorado Avalanche hired him.

Regarding his days on the ice, he talks about playing in New York with Marcel Dionne, being traded to LA and the Kings 1993 playoff run - including the Marty McSorley stick incident.

Other topics explored feature travel challenges in the Eastern vs. Western Conference, Staples Center vs. the Forum and choosing his jersey number.

As if all that isn't enough, Granato also weighs in on the 'Should Rob Blake's number be retired in LA?' debate.

Take a listen...



note: All MayorsManor podcasts are now available via a free download on itunes.

Additionally, there were two supplementary articles published this week with Granato. First, he talks about this year's Kings team and GM Dean Lombardi from his days in San Jose (linked here). Second, we play word association using many of his former teammates, a MayorsManor favorite (linked here).

The Mayor
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Other PODCASTS available:

Audio interview with Ian Laperriere

Audio interview with Kerry Fraser

The Captain Cools Off Colorado

Heading into action tonight most of the focus was on number 10 for the Kings due to the debuting Marco Sturm. When things were over, 23 was the number of the night. Dustin Brown had four points (2g, 2a) and Jonathan Quick made 23 saves.

Back on April 1 of last season Brown had the first four point night of his career, as part of a hat trick against the visiting Vancouver Canucks. Tonight in Colorado, his play was anything but a joke.

He looked mean, hungry and full of confidence. It was the best overall game he's played in quite some time.

And the best part is, you could probably say that about half a dozen players on the team - including his linemate Anze Kopitar.

The highly talented number 11 was THIS close to netting what would have been perhaps the highlight goal of the year, passing the puck back to himself between his own legs. Even without it though, his performance was what the Kings wish they received more often - dazzling plays at both ends of the ice.

Colorado's roster featured red-hot Matt Duchene and Tomas Fleischmann, the NHL's top two picks among the three stars of the week.  The Avs hadn't been shutout all season.  They were also riding a six-game winning streak and came into the game as the NHL's highest scoring team.

In the Kings corner, well - they entered the contest having alternated wins and losses over the last six games. 

It all went out the window when Rob Scuderi scored the first goal of the game.  That's usually a sign something freaky is about to go down.  Not only was it his first of the season, but first in nearly 200 games.

The above cast took over from there - with one notable exception.  It was the Avs they were playing, so, Brad Richardson had to get in on the fun.  He did, putting his fourth goal of the year past Craig Anderson in the second.  That's Brad 4, Avs 0 with one game to go.

A solid performance and a nice way to end their five game roadtrip.

One more thing - last time Willie Mitchell was out of the line-up the Kings went 1-5 on the road.  So far this time they're 2-1.

But, what about Sturm, you ask?  Nearly 12 minutes of ice time spread over 16 shifts.  One shot on goal.  He looked fine for his first night back.  Now let's just see how long coach Terry Murray leaves him on the fourth line.



The Mayor
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RELATED ARTICLES:

10 Tidbits on Marco Sturm

Podcast with Ian Laperriere - former Kings and Avs forward

Counted Out Too Quickly? - feature piece on Jonathan Quick

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