Oh man, what a Friday night! The Manchester Monarchs kicked off their 2011-2012 campaign in grand fashion, skating and shooting to a commanding 5-2 victory over division rival, the Springfield Falcons. To call the game a spectacle would be an understatement; clearly their 2-1 preseason loss against the Portland Pirates was a thing of the past. The team looked really good; even better then I … [Read more...]
The Rich Hammond & Terry Murray Interview You Won’t Read Anywhere Else…
September 27, 2011 By
So, Surly did the noble thing and decided to go to Kansas City for the Kings v. Penguins game. His boss technically told him he couldn't have the day off, but I suggested Surly pull a homeless guy off the street, take him to work and let the man just stand there holding a video camera because nobody would notice. I am told it worked. Given his stealth nature and ability to blend, Surly somehow … [Read more...]
Thoughts & Tidbits From Preseason Game 1 of Kings v. Coyotes
September 21, 2011 By
Andrei Loktionov played a hell of a game on both ends of the ice. He has a unique skill of vanishing and reappearing behind opposing defenders. On twitter, I dubbed him Loktiwizard. I want to see this kid make the team. He looked great at camp and in this game. I don't buy the "top 6 or bust" theory with Loktionov. To the other "ov", how about Slava Voynov? I knew he had offensive skills, but … [Read more...]
Surly & Scribe’s L.A. Kings Season Preview – The Top 6
September 15, 2011 By
Last night we got our first taste of Kings' hockey with the rookie game versus Phoenix. Camp starts on Saturday. We are back on Staples Center ice in less than a week. Do we know our Kings? Well sure we do, to an extent, but with so many new faces, some surprises are certainly in store. Bobby already took care of the defensemen. That leaves the forwards, which we will break up into top … [Read more...]
THE ROYAL REPORT CARD III: LA KINGS’ BOTTOM SIX & DEPTH PLAYERS
May 10, 2011 By
Harry Halkidis brings us his third installment of the Royal Report Card. The bottom six forwards and depth players will be scrutinized, analyzed and graded. Michal Handzus (B): Handzus is one of Terry Murray's most reliable checkers, as the veteran leader led all Kings forwards in short-handed ice time. His play on the penalty kill helped the team rank fourth overall in penalty killing. … [Read more...]
LA KINGS POST GAME: TOO MUCH OF TOO LITTLE COSTS KINGS 3-0
February 19, 2011 By
No goals. Few scoring chances. Even less passes that connected. Too little, both early and late. I sure am glad Terry Murray benched Andrei Loktionov and shuffled the lines again. I am certain Lokti's passing ability, penchant for getting open and skill set wouldn't have come in handy. Maybe Murray expected a "heavier" perimeter game, one with a lot of checking, fighting, and good … [Read more...]
LA KINGS PLAYER PROFILE: ANDREI LOKTIONOV
February 13, 2011 By
Sometimes, I am wrong. This time and about this player, I was wrong. Way wrong. While he is only a rookie and he has so much left to do to earn a second line center role on this Kings' team, for all intensive purposes, Andrei Loktionov is on the fast track there. I don't get overly excited over any rookie in a handful or three of games, but there is something very special about Lokti and … [Read more...]
L.A. KINGS OFFENSIVE ZONE ENTRY STATS AGAINST THE COYOTES
January 22, 2011 By
Here are the offensive zone stats against the Coyotes for Thursday, January 20. First period: Y, X, X, X, Y, X, X, X, Y, Y, Y, X, X, Y, Y, X, X, X, X, Y, Y, X, X, X 24 offensive zone entries Only 9 created any offensive opportunities. Second period: X, X, Y, Y, Y, X, X, Y, X, X, Y, Y, Y, Y, X, Y, X, Y, X, X, Y 21 offensive zone entries 11 offensive opportunities Third period: X, Y, Y, Y … [Read more...]
THE LITTLE LOKI-MOTIVE ENGINE THAT COULD AND WILL
January 20, 2011 By
Oh happy day. So far. Andrei Loktionov, one of my personal favorite prospects possessed by the Kings (even moreso than Brayden Schenn... put that in your Canadian pipes and smoke it!), is back in Los Angeles and scheduled to play alongside Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes. While I'm under no delusions that calling up the great and powerful Loki will be any … [Read more...]
HEY LOKI, IT WAS FUN
November 2, 2010 By
NHL stint #1 for Andrei Loktionov has come to an end. Today "Loki" was assigned to the Manchester Monarchs. The Kings skated in practice with Scott Parse on the first line, a good sign for an imminent return of the projected top 6 winger. Ponikarovsky is not at practice... but we don't know why. My guess is he is not going to Manchester. I know, a real shot in the dark. Hard to say … [Read more...]
THE TALE OF THREE KIDS – LOKTIONOV, SCHENN & CLIFFORD
October 31, 2010 By
The Kings have a problem. It's the good kind. There are too many solid young players looking to break into the club but not enough roster spots. For Clifford and Schenn, the game to game clock is ticking. Clifford is at 7 games, Schenn at 8. Once they hit 9, the Kings must choose to keep them and burn a year of their pro contract or send them back to their respective junior club. For the 123rd … [Read more...]
COMING UP TOMORROW…
October 31, 2010 By
Video and photos from Bailey's hilarity against the Cupcakes. Our impressions of Matty Norstrom's night of love and appreciation; and A look at our kids at forward, Clifford, Schenn and Loktionov. Who should stay or go after 9 games? … [Read more...]
SPATZ SHOTS – PHOTOS FROM PRACTICE 10/29/10
October 29, 2010 By
Kasey Spatz was at it again this morning at practice. Enjoy! That was just a small sample. Click here for the full gallery on Kasey's flickr page. As always, we thank Kasey for sharing her work with us. … [Read more...]
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