Some time, some place, somewhere when I was apparently asleep at the switch, my favorite team’s name changed. Considering I now watch more, research more and know more about this team than I ever thought possible, inexplicably despite my eyes, ears never being more in tuned to my team, its name got changed from the Los Angeles Kings to the ‘Lowly Kings’.
This reminds me of a recent Flames game when Calgary was behind and Own Nolan gave a between period interview where he said the following: “We are trying to win without any effort and that never works.” I do not know why the quote stayed with me but it did.
This reminds me of the 1995 Cup run where the Devils played the most boring hockey ever and won all the way to a championship. Back then, the only team that owned the Devils was the ‘lowly Senators’. Perhaps even back then, when everyone won Ottawa, the Devils then looked at the standings and got a little too full of themselves and forgot to show up on the ice.
Fast forward to this season, and somehow some way the same arrogance is being displayed by near every Kings’ opponent. Don’t believe me? Check out some of the following articles which popped up by a simple Google search of “lowly Kings”. Check these out:
Before the last Canucks win:
OCRegister.com - Sports Stats and information
After the very same Canucks win:
Lowly Kings continue mastery of Canucks
Before the Ranger win:
Nhl Prediction - February 05, 2008 - Los Angeles At New York Rangers
After the Ranger win:
Rangers fall to lowly Kings -- Newsday.com
After the Islander win:
Struggling Islanders fall to lowly Kings -- Newsday.com
Before a prior Wings’ game this season:
Red-Hot Red Wings Try To Dethrone Lowly Kings - Sports News Story - KCCI Des Moines
After Thursday’s Wings’ win:
Lowly Kings foil Red Wings - Sports - inRich.com
In order to make myself feel better, I ran a second Google search with last year’s last place team, then known as the ‘lowly Flyers’ apparently. I say this since a similar search brought up similar numbers of articles from last season.
On a far more positive and surprising note, the Kings managed something they have been unable to do since February 11, 2000. This was the date of the last Kings win in Detroit. Heck, the last game at Joe Louis arena, the Wings played their ‘red machine’ to a “T” and watching the Wings suffocate my team left me feeling dejected. Surely, win or lose, Los Angeles had more skill than the tail chasing I watched. Right?
It turns out that at least for one night the Kings’ effort matched their collective skills. LaBarbera didn’t play his strongest game; but he still managed to win the game and Detroit for the first time. Here are some other noteworthy statistics:
• The Kings managed to go hit for a hit with Detroit and without new Dad, Dustin Brown, led by Boyle leading the way with 4 hits and followed close behind by Ivanans with 3;
• 23 shots blocked by Kings with Stuart taking the lead with 4 to go along with his #1 Star of the Game;
• Detroit gave away 9 pucks to the Kings 5;
• Armstrong dominated in the circle with 78% win % followed by Boyle with 58% (Who knew Boyle would deliver so much in his first three NHL games no less)
• Frolov had a 3 point night, 1 goal, 2 assists and 5 shots on goal to go with his #2 Star of the Night;
• Kings ended the Wings 8 game winning streak;
• Wings go into 3rd period with a 2 goal lead, give up 4 unanswered goals and lose the game 5-3;
• The Wings failed to match a franchise nine game winning streak with their opponent, the ‘lowly Kings’.
Here is a Detroit paper take on the Kings’ win:
Kings put history on hold for Red Wings
A personal lesson I learned after graduate school feels appropriate for this year’s Kings. My first mentor recommended that I build my career by living the Sicilian motto, “Forgive and remember”. Any opponent who tried to take advantage of my inexperience should be schooled in all future dealings.
Each and every team or player who chooses to play Los Angeles this year by their standing alone, needs to pay the price each and every game from here to eternity just as I now have the memory of an elephant when so motivated by those who took me lightly.
Karma is a funny thing. This year’s cellar dweller may spend this season perceived as ‘lowly’ but also possess the skill and ethic (when the Kings show up) to dominate any team – especially those who think they can win without effort. At least for a night, the Kings earned their wings against all odds.
Carla Muller Carla.hockeygal@att.net