tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76134133810529898572024-02-02T00:36:41.242-08:00The Royal Halfconfessions of a Los Angeles Kings 7 year Half Season Ticket Holder <br> <br> the same 7 years they haven't made the playoffsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-6636744456244967292009-12-14T12:48:00.000-08:002009-12-14T12:54:33.836-08:00Sellout Crowd<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnL9c68nq-CNP0KGXmkAkh8wCZr_kXxAbveBqTecHX69Ev-Kdei-nB2GfXjsFCJbW5k5ejvdiF-raQxSy6moqCGj3x_KAMlRsJQldtQllOpfd5-bqPcYQaNH5Mup8yvHSeEtui41rC4GoQ/s1600-h/412689_f520.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnL9c68nq-CNP0KGXmkAkh8wCZr_kXxAbveBqTecHX69Ev-Kdei-nB2GfXjsFCJbW5k5ejvdiF-raQxSy6moqCGj3x_KAMlRsJQldtQllOpfd5-bqPcYQaNH5Mup8yvHSeEtui41rC4GoQ/s400/412689_f520.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415196872083569234" border="0" /></a><br />Well, the rumors from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Eklund</span> were true... The Royal Half is moving to the <a href="http://www.bloguin.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bloguin</span></a> group. It seems there is a need for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sarcastic</span> content about the Los Angeles Kings apparently. Come check us out at our new home...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theroyalhalf.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">TheRoyalHalf</span>.com</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Please, please let me know if you have troubles with the new site.<br /></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-64340527017511542022009-12-12T23:35:00.001-08:002009-12-13T00:50:58.177-08:00FIRST!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IL8mYuZMJdcWQkc2JasMto8NRirSgRepXlLSD59XC1abNKvDuTq4BzUXIsFVWmHFTpFobPK6cjnoM7qRIo9bY4oFmBBB3i4IfBT3TuGaM1huz5ku3oCD70dBT47mKAYgB90ZulCstSMP/s1600-h/Picture+9.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414622059337236194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IL8mYuZMJdcWQkc2JasMto8NRirSgRepXlLSD59XC1abNKvDuTq4BzUXIsFVWmHFTpFobPK6cjnoM7qRIo9bY4oFmBBB3i4IfBT3TuGaM1huz5ku3oCD70dBT47mKAYgB90ZulCstSMP/s400/Picture+9.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; height: 400px; text-align: center; width: 364px;" border="0" /></a>I don't know what makes me happier with this image above. The team at the top... or the team at the bottom. It doesn't matter that it's the same amount of points as the San Jose Sharks... on December 13th, 2009... the Los Angeles Kings are in first place in the Western Conference. At the end of the 2008 NHL season... the Kings were 2nd to last. That's quite a 3 year rebuilding plan, huh GM Dean Lombardi?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMe7T-1rKW8c9hAWqH7nPumk3PyhfiRR39FgDg52aUhJFwQcQ94hbF38cAoIVZ6fbsVGJtr66EhPMfHiNrswj4JiyqDbhnjP-rQ3BSBn9kWWJgdreYzrn8CBrEBlzEQ0QdA7Fk6Hi3q03f/s1600-h/4de9ec6b00e4b9e064e4d60aaeea714a-getty-90981473hh013_dallas_stars_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMe7T-1rKW8c9hAWqH7nPumk3PyhfiRR39FgDg52aUhJFwQcQ94hbF38cAoIVZ6fbsVGJtr66EhPMfHiNrswj4JiyqDbhnjP-rQ3BSBn9kWWJgdreYzrn8CBrEBlzEQ0QdA7Fk6Hi3q03f/s400/4de9ec6b00e4b9e064e4d60aaeea714a-getty-90981473hh013_dallas_stars_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414625621037103378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >"I warned you guys... we hit first place... you get noogies!"<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kings 3,</span> Stars 2, Kings Fans, Elated<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A solid effort by the Los Angeles Kings. They look tired out there... they looked over matched... but they found a way to win. They played another solid defensive game and once again, goaltender Jon Quick kept them in it. Oh, and look who got his swagger back?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunu6YFNrar3Dw_3X6Pwzb4OUnrq0ntHiz2WFXb9G-bQBVXuyC2PYpSnQoD5jPU1940jzkiEQ1NWsTzLAxnIXeYN7YsJ9KXBRUF9HHNZSUdHhbZoNvf3Xb9xI-KUTIjihfGv6CKeCpwX1u/s1600-h/163c738aa0be7a46eddadbe8985aeff0-getty-90981473hh007_dallas_stars_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunu6YFNrar3Dw_3X6Pwzb4OUnrq0ntHiz2WFXb9G-bQBVXuyC2PYpSnQoD5jPU1940jzkiEQ1NWsTzLAxnIXeYN7YsJ9KXBRUF9HHNZSUdHhbZoNvf3Xb9xI-KUTIjihfGv6CKeCpwX1u/s400/163c738aa0be7a46eddadbe8985aeff0-getty-90981473hh007_dallas_stars_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414625604205279042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">#11 is just 1st twice.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">With the <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/sportsblogs/battleofcali/%7E3/aUKiw9bFHnM/kings-gameday-meat-train-derailed">news</a> that Wayne Simmonds was injured and going to be out for at least this game, Coach Murray once again was forced to juggle his lines to find the right combination. And that means Teddy Purcell, with 1 goal in his last 28 games found his way back onto the top line. And the other line that was created for most of the 3rd period was Alexander Frolov, Michal Handzus and Oscar Moller... I kinda love the idea of this line.<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vDmO0tWX0dgpJoHhzbzPTwJmBs0rsHGXrvulXTospxzpTD_TBiV8TAk2qOlQ7U0RZreYtHgv03vL8LPPRVm11yh6B9_iXLSCZRcSZmyYRFk5HaVIVbL7QvIsOLX2hsjo_CAYuFg-rA2i/s1600-h/5e90751a6e83ba453534f5593b035616-getty-90981473hh006_dallas_stars_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vDmO0tWX0dgpJoHhzbzPTwJmBs0rsHGXrvulXTospxzpTD_TBiV8TAk2qOlQ7U0RZreYtHgv03vL8LPPRVm11yh6B9_iXLSCZRcSZmyYRFk5HaVIVbL7QvIsOLX2hsjo_CAYuFg-rA2i/s400/5e90751a6e83ba453534f5593b035616-getty-90981473hh006_dallas_stars_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414625610873334178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >"Awww, man! <span style="font-weight: bold;">THIS</span> is the season I'm going to get traded?<br />Shark farts!</span>" </div><br />Tonight was "<a href="http://kings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?bcid=28219"><span style="font-style: italic;">LA Dodger Night with the Kings</span></a>" at Staples Center. I don't know about you, but when I think of baseball... I think of cold, cloudy nights spent in Downtown Los Angeles.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyDURwRQ06ieyjKANrBY6M6go62erqIBlWsFfB7A5Tcw6Jmpm3HHP_aurzhyphenhyphengQ5WLGusvs94eCzBNaqG9Vl9oFmbItrY_FtyFwHR91ptW6UA3_anSfCYCTdHsAeck_5Zq-gY5xrug-Hmk/s1600-h/IMG_2033.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414621625022960194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyDURwRQ06ieyjKANrBY6M6go62erqIBlWsFfB7A5Tcw6Jmpm3HHP_aurzhyphenhyphengQ5WLGusvs94eCzBNaqG9Vl9oFmbItrY_FtyFwHR91ptW6UA3_anSfCYCTdHsAeck_5Zq-gY5xrug-Hmk/s400/IMG_2033.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">You can almost smell the grass...</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">... being smoked in all the artist lofts. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm all for team pride in Los Angeles... and if any two sports are going to come together... I'm glad it's baseball and hockey. Because I hate basketball and I especially hate the Lakers. I guess having Dodger Legend (?) Eric Karros drop the first puck tonight was payback for this guy throwing out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium over the summer.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtEBQ8T8OtCR5yvsrT9AcMzRr7kEkgfMOBGURZmA_7lP1Mr25jrDHS577oo_grP0to40QrRMLx5oRog0YysI7BERAerlXX4ouRTG7YMXR2O33rTv2IFrWfTiV-kab42lF-pv9EvIWbIvO/s1600-h/brownie+pitch.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtEBQ8T8OtCR5yvsrT9AcMzRr7kEkgfMOBGURZmA_7lP1Mr25jrDHS577oo_grP0to40QrRMLx5oRog0YysI7BERAerlXX4ouRTG7YMXR2O33rTv2IFrWfTiV-kab42lF-pv9EvIWbIvO/s400/brownie+pitch.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414628665900800306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">How can a guy look so cool in one uniform </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">and so dorky in another?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But people don't realize that there has been a long tradition of Dodgers and Kings coming together in the Los Angeles community. And the LA Kings website has the <a href="http://kings.nhl.com/club/mediagallery.htm?galleryId=11929">AMAZING pictures</a> to prove it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ecHcoGFXkr-WacIOb4rUWo1Bg_j0_0kMZpj7MV3k6xdhFcKm3KZiWZ5KNKsum8ThMRKZxl_1P-16cOR8fOWFQFtmgUScxAUgNYmgNxq1SHdWstGaU220GNl6SEaPsrRSKFwhKzQ3vlyX/s1600-h/Wayne+Piazza.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ecHcoGFXkr-WacIOb4rUWo1Bg_j0_0kMZpj7MV3k6xdhFcKm3KZiWZ5KNKsum8ThMRKZxl_1P-16cOR8fOWFQFtmgUScxAUgNYmgNxq1SHdWstGaU220GNl6SEaPsrRSKFwhKzQ3vlyX/s400/Wayne+Piazza.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414630202685177602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Greatest. Photo. Ever.<br /><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19Nv8CnN_7qNXxj_Qd5ZRqpRPosaTdUxZ-83kQixoALXHRR0Tdo15AwLti7vyK28rWQqcaT4WNwxRJMHWzalUbxE3DvZQAUJom4jPaIL9cVnsH63wExMnDwYU_Ulmxkjs8U9CUPKYf1Uv/s1600-h/bulldog+forum.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19Nv8CnN_7qNXxj_Qd5ZRqpRPosaTdUxZ-83kQixoALXHRR0Tdo15AwLti7vyK28rWQqcaT4WNwxRJMHWzalUbxE3DvZQAUJom4jPaIL9cVnsH63wExMnDwYU_Ulmxkjs8U9CUPKYf1Uv/s400/bulldog+forum.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414630213354434178" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The <a href="http://joesportsfan.com/?p=11261">Bulldog</a> signing autographs at the Great Western Forum.<br />If you squint your eyes, you may see your author way in the back as a 12 year old.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwAJ6w3c3Qdn6PAJ_19UEBnKTLgUtpF2_xZq_-DT3f2mdBxDBvrna_Gr6H8sxV7Bw0aG4Ew3bOQd__Vc_rt2HShNTlfwHGugNDG7IA1UMX5sIdIjAun5pTzIVxW4TU887qyXE5TTpTOLJ/s1600-h/shawn+green.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwAJ6w3c3Qdn6PAJ_19UEBnKTLgUtpF2_xZq_-DT3f2mdBxDBvrna_Gr6H8sxV7Bw0aG4Ew3bOQd__Vc_rt2HShNTlfwHGugNDG7IA1UMX5sIdIjAun5pTzIVxW4TU887qyXE5TTpTOLJ/s400/shawn+green.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414631416274414738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Not really a stretch as Shawn Green did start out playing for Toronto.</span><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_AEnLqGyQGR32PCXBaxvPLEN-msBVIQSjl_np18IXyLhLH_PcRvGr51PFNWurs2zbQsuTac8PRSqZxtsfoE4RJEZ-0Cep4RNXi7ivjWTW_R7BEgTgGGOeOVAu3Phm_kWCdFX_zmiOr05/s1600-h/3some.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_AEnLqGyQGR32PCXBaxvPLEN-msBVIQSjl_np18IXyLhLH_PcRvGr51PFNWurs2zbQsuTac8PRSqZxtsfoE4RJEZ-0Cep4RNXi7ivjWTW_R7BEgTgGGOeOVAu3Phm_kWCdFX_zmiOr05/s400/3some.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414631403615461794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I kinda want to frame this and put it on my office wall. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So how do the Kings honor the long tradition of winning baseball in Los Angeles? WITH ICE GIRLS WEARING DODGER T-SHIRTS!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIYtTuQFsRX7i6ed9DwXs0W_bst7e94vrennyftG9j_4oWESjBjuyLksnuMPx9Tym_bwV8PjA_zYhihslrheBloQKMk3NGFfKjJnM3z30U8MgVA9YNOPE5J8ZzgsaCBGskJTe86jD5_xh/s1600-h/IMG_2045.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414621651219913922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIYtTuQFsRX7i6ed9DwXs0W_bst7e94vrennyftG9j_4oWESjBjuyLksnuMPx9Tym_bwV8PjA_zYhihslrheBloQKMk3NGFfKjJnM3z30U8MgVA9YNOPE5J8ZzgsaCBGskJTe86jD5_xh/s400/IMG_2045.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">And Dodger caps too.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The worst part about this promotion was that the Ice Girls only wore the t-shirts and hats for the 2nd period. </span>By the 3rd period, they had slipped back into something more comfortable.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruumt4PU1twC91zAYulPdABVADHZ47Zn3lM9Pw54Ih8-XHYrK68DDlWNEEDR_zj0SJvoY16XtjSAsfpEbh33PWHrGFM98KQQ1H8z8HIsbF4byoZdUpT34LhHzv-1siSOYkst4_uqm6soQ/s1600-h/IMG_2047.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414621654854429458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruumt4PU1twC91zAYulPdABVADHZ47Zn3lM9Pw54Ih8-XHYrK68DDlWNEEDR_zj0SJvoY16XtjSAsfpEbh33PWHrGFM98KQQ1H8z8HIsbF4byoZdUpT34LhHzv-1siSOYkst4_uqm6soQ/s400/IMG_2047.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br />And tonight, our lucky section even was visited by one of these Space Age Santas and their little elf... bringing the row in front of us what everyone wants for Christmas... <a href="http://www.popcornopolis.com/">Popcornopolis</a>!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-9hYREcvxGUgUrGigIsBw3EEWCrYoc3ixc76ddy24y_9eB6X0V4y3iR1nlM7Z_m6kzDhJlGyquCaeTJEqesJ5Wj7zbB-1o_TdCyHsVtTTzCzXU_qoymHICjiMzS_2aTwf9BEOYZJ56I1/s1600-h/IMG_2036.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414621637232529074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-9hYREcvxGUgUrGigIsBw3EEWCrYoc3ixc76ddy24y_9eB6X0V4y3iR1nlM7Z_m6kzDhJlGyquCaeTJEqesJ5Wj7zbB-1o_TdCyHsVtTTzCzXU_qoymHICjiMzS_2aTwf9BEOYZJ56I1/s400/IMG_2036.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"I said who wants some chocolate drizzled popcorn, bitches!"<br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmuugSVw0A1Z9moq5YasKY-yLl284DM83Kw_c4Nj8YHfP79qKPK2_h_hX9Vb6G3FaC0z8DwHzK3Sck4kTXnnKdMQ99HDmcsBJENPlGrFYxQcujDYRh1bzvMCo3ZGsh5NG47Ij7h4EdvyS/s1600-h/IMG_2041.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414621643389185794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmuugSVw0A1Z9moq5YasKY-yLl284DM83Kw_c4Nj8YHfP79qKPK2_h_hX9Vb6G3FaC0z8DwHzK3Sck4kTXnnKdMQ99HDmcsBJENPlGrFYxQcujDYRh1bzvMCo3ZGsh5NG47Ij7h4EdvyS/s400/IMG_2041.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The newest nominee for worst job ever... the Ice Girl Elf Helper.</span> </div><br /></div></div></div></div>Hate to rain on the first place party too quickly but <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=2343">huge news</a> for the Kings came out after this exciting game. <a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20next%20wayne">Royal Half favorite</a>, <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/sportsblogs/battleofcali/%7E3/JXDfApAuDNE/kings-gameday-im-going-to-poll-you">Battle of California favorite</a> and the 2nd best Wayne to ever play for the Kings, Wayne Simmonds (sorry <a href="http://communities.canada.com/theprovince/blogs/kurtenblog/archive/2007/11/01/further-proof-that-nhlers-do-alright-for-themselves.aspx">Wayne McBean</a>!), is heading under the knife for some surgery on the meniscus in his left knee.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZvSJZ_ldlbhflet3e6e9FsLM9-6V8FGzmpQHqA9zY1YpeAUjWfiFUdc1A2K_MZ643pVUPeasKM0xTBnofLhQGK8olSPipUDTFcUJ0iEMpgSs05MnT-wryDnGBsyLVweHXm-xoqLSImE4/s1600-h/Gray348.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 363px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZvSJZ_ldlbhflet3e6e9FsLM9-6V8FGzmpQHqA9zY1YpeAUjWfiFUdc1A2K_MZ643pVUPeasKM0xTBnofLhQGK8olSPipUDTFcUJ0iEMpgSs05MnT-wryDnGBsyLVweHXm-xoqLSImE4/s400/Gray348.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414624603001350882" border="0" /></a><br />This is a HUGE loss for the Los Angeles Kings. If Simmonds was playing this well over the past few weeks with this type of injury... I can only imagine how much <a href="http://kwisp.wordpress.com/2009/12/08/kings-points-leaders-since-ryan-smith-injury/">better</a> he can get. Oh and what else? Ryan Smyth is <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=2345">not available</a> for the 3 game Canadian road trip this week... but should return to the Kings lineup at home on December 26th. Finally.<br /><br />This is the Los Angeles Kings curse. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> and I have seen it before. Just when the Kings get rocking with overall play... they get decimated by injuries. The Kings have played amazingly well during the absence of players like Ryan Smyth and Rob Scuderi. But the Kings will miss what Wayne Simmonds brings every night... and I'll miss seeing this guy out there each night.<br /></div></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiX6l4nx5hyphenhyphenV8KPqSB25JiABbHir-OqVVS_BiMQSZJFG5T78wda0hPnwJgxEA62cJduEn-yVldwrFDw-a11zKKrUM7czkaShJXML0xekDe-Z27JZHwtJ_83uvrp5xoTdaXFm1t4qDz9i_/s1600-h/340x.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiX6l4nx5hyphenhyphenV8KPqSB25JiABbHir-OqVVS_BiMQSZJFG5T78wda0hPnwJgxEA62cJduEn-yVldwrFDw-a11zKKrUM7czkaShJXML0xekDe-Z27JZHwtJ_83uvrp5xoTdaXFm1t4qDz9i_/s400/340x.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414638069906117730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh I'll be back... and I'll be badder than ever.<br /></span></div></div><div><br />Sunday is an off day for the Kings and then it's time for the players to put on their <a href="http://www.njc.ch/alumni/web/toques.jpg">toques</a> and head up north to Canada... America's Largest National Forest... for 3 tough games in 4 nights against Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary. Let's see what this first place team is made of. Damn, it feels weird to say that.<br /></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-59945513822270042572009-12-12T08:26:00.000-08:002009-12-12T09:07:55.884-08:00A Long December: Take 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC23PS_d3KVzgCoAlSvCMfqvXJe0mAPilm1IvzIhuz8eyQaLSy6VagmpN1bh8z_gbuIbzQbsSupxUb3DWo9xB_FnXXIjde1LgHhSz7mBr4b9Ne12SRQwbKWevvhMH_ECVVWoe87RTQmJVH/s1600-h/santa-claus-and-mrs-claus-on-holiday1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC23PS_d3KVzgCoAlSvCMfqvXJe0mAPilm1IvzIhuz8eyQaLSy6VagmpN1bh8z_gbuIbzQbsSupxUb3DWo9xB_FnXXIjde1LgHhSz7mBr4b9Ne12SRQwbKWevvhMH_ECVVWoe87RTQmJVH/s400/santa-claus-and-mrs-claus-on-holiday1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414387927594645250" border="0" /></a><br />Normally, December in Los Angeles is something you live for. It hovers around 65 degrees and most years it's sunny on Christmas Morning. Sure, sure... my friends from the East Coast always complain about the lack of snow and how it just feels weird shopping for presents without it being cold and I think about how people I know in New York have to shovel snow out of their driveway to get to work in the morning... mainly I think about this with my sunroof open as I drive to work.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bDUFkm8u3JtPcaMffGYizEJXuwrhYPT-Eud-XFfogxY3D0OLAeZJCoHtQolEqGc5OlU45hUSPjFRVu8gSHlHCfQPMpR54EM2MweIEYW381CepQLhATzRDBQgjpqka0Gto-LVw5qvECpa/s1600-h/buffalo_snow_7Ft1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bDUFkm8u3JtPcaMffGYizEJXuwrhYPT-Eud-XFfogxY3D0OLAeZJCoHtQolEqGc5OlU45hUSPjFRVu8gSHlHCfQPMpR54EM2MweIEYW381CepQLhATzRDBQgjpqka0Gto-LVw5qvECpa/s400/buffalo_snow_7Ft1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414392276244627618" border="0" /></a><br />For the Los Angeles Kings hockey team, December has been a month of horrors over the past few seasons. Let's go to the Sports Machine!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DEC 05</span> (aka the last season the Kings had an overall winning record for the NHL season)<br />9-5-1<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DEC 06</span><br />5-8-1<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DEC 07</span><br />4-11-1<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DEC 08</span><br />5-7-3<br /><br />As you can see the last few Decembers for the Kings have been much less Miracle on 34<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> Street and way more the story about Phoebe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cates</span>' dad dying in a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">chimney</span> from <a href="http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/stuck.asp">Gremlins</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQsguE0H-G6RBnScr5IcMQyaDk_M1U1OywHsJmvPTizt0lufdHRCJMMxnyoY4M_BYgnev6kOKgprTkZdJKmocOPGZHCY1LprvJs6ULUFP8GY3RM6F-_N3LFvk5_AmupMuDkq8-eF8IQOj/s1600-h/DeadSanta2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQsguE0H-G6RBnScr5IcMQyaDk_M1U1OywHsJmvPTizt0lufdHRCJMMxnyoY4M_BYgnev6kOKgprTkZdJKmocOPGZHCY1LprvJs6ULUFP8GY3RM6F-_N3LFvk5_AmupMuDkq8-eF8IQOj/s400/DeadSanta2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414393916528149218" border="0" /></a><br />This December has been a different story for the Los Angeles Kings. So far, they are undefeated in regulation and have points in all December games for a record of 5-0-1. Does this mean they are destined for the playoffs? No, anything can change, just ask the 2003-2004 Los Angeles Kings team that was all set for the playoffs and then lost 11 straight to end the season. Thanks, Anson Carter!<br /><br />Tonight, the Kings take on the Dallas Stars at home. The Stars are coming off an 11 round shootout victory over the San Jose Sharks last night. And I'm just going to go ahead and say it... if the Kings win tonight, they'll be tied for first in the Pacific Division. In December.<br /><br />Check out the always awesome <a href="http://www.defendingbigd.com/">Defending Big D</a> and <a href="http://www.theother6seconds.com/">The Other 6 Seconds</a> for all your news, notes and predictions of all things Dallas Stars. Man, I hate the Dallas Stars. And I hate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Turco</span>.Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-53072967512110930252009-12-11T10:35:00.000-08:002009-12-11T12:08:23.039-08:00Twenty SpotI encourage you, Royal Half reader, to find the NHL pre-season prediction article that has the Los Angeles Kings and Phoenix Coyotes battling it out in December in a match-up of 2 of the NHL's hottest teams. The Coyotes, who have been living out the real life story of the classic motion picture, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_kluJbyR5Q">Major League</a>, came into this game winners of 5 straight. While the Los Angeles Kings were coming off points in 6 straight games. Go ahead, look it up... not <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Puck-Daddy-s-2009-10-Western-Conference-staff-pr?urn=nhl,193175">Wyshynski</a>, not <a href="http://www.fromtherink.com/2009/9/30/1032869/2009-10-nhl-season-preview-my">Mirtle</a>, even yours truly had them <a href="http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/hockey-night-in-blogdom-30-teams-in-30-minutes-western-edition/">barely making</a> the playoffs. What does this all mean? This is why we love professional sports. Because you can do all the research, crunch all the stats, go to all the practices... and you still have no clue that on December 11, 2009... your favorite team is 1 point out of first place.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNeCQYLzXsyexLkLYAzQP-ZFOOXrLwB1yeTBJ3eJsxX1F7o-1ekKa_fcTnfYn2yRmYt16Cskzr0TH0jXtIA08UsXsj8zIaoHAj3YZeKCoX8kAUq8khWYjVIEa8P2EePuF0xDg9v49QxNr/s1600-h/improve!.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNeCQYLzXsyexLkLYAzQP-ZFOOXrLwB1yeTBJ3eJsxX1F7o-1ekKa_fcTnfYn2yRmYt16Cskzr0TH0jXtIA08UsXsj8zIaoHAj3YZeKCoX8kAUq8khWYjVIEa8P2EePuF0xDg9v49QxNr/s400/improve!.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414049957382690306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Yeah, I'd say that was a major improvement.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kings 3</span>, Coyotes 2, Losing Franchises Elsewhere, A Glimmer of Hope<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This was another excellent game. You didn't have to be a fan of either of these teams to enjoy the amazing goaltending and defensive play of both opponents. It's just so fun to watch Los Angeles Kings hockey right now as the team is firing on all cylinders... and doing it without Ryan Smyth. As a fan, and especially as a season ticket holder (even a Half Season Ticket Holder) the greatest reward is sticking with a team through thick and thin so that one day you see it all come together. Right now, it is all coming together for this team. I mean, I know it's only early December but check out this IM conversation between myself and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> after the San Jose game.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-4vkq8tnvUm8anix4jYZF0eLIHSr8UmH2XK_Kq3tRjvO-uYJuievPp6y4fep3wkorR1PzN3C_IWsKuROS7qfemMWvoHrr2kHIoYYepO25DA9GBHu9On3Ku7MzFGEVP0SfNdWu85EKLyU/s1600-h/Picture+7.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 364px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-4vkq8tnvUm8anix4jYZF0eLIHSr8UmH2XK_Kq3tRjvO-uYJuievPp6y4fep3wkorR1PzN3C_IWsKuROS7qfemMWvoHrr2kHIoYYepO25DA9GBHu9On3Ku7MzFGEVP0SfNdWu85EKLyU/s400/Picture+7.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414070422119485922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm the little crown. There is no way Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy would cry. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">He's too much of a man.</span><br /></div><br />GM Dean Lombardi has molded this team in his own image, given them an identity and allowed them to excel. The only question now is who will he pick up later in the season to really push these guys over the edge. I mean, how can you not love a team that has <span style="font-style: italic;">this</span> on their 4th line?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidE77S0FiBhXQrZC425Bfxba7MZzBQ2ZKjzt9qY5PHV7oNtPae7AFVjt_vBHK3cvNmcAslFY_pdHzWr9yyuZriNTuv7jzq2zPYomfLwZh836PgfdBuyLauHQeZ9A4YVWin46Nj7sM2onqO/s1600-h/moller+ftw.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidE77S0FiBhXQrZC425Bfxba7MZzBQ2ZKjzt9qY5PHV7oNtPae7AFVjt_vBHK3cvNmcAslFY_pdHzWr9yyuZriNTuv7jzq2zPYomfLwZh836PgfdBuyLauHQeZ9A4YVWin46Nj7sM2onqO/s400/moller+ftw.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414050141966954370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Hey, Teddy... it only took me 5 games to score. Suck it."</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oF1NLtyl2z8a878QWQfTlfg-mOXAGkSlguPggBeqPIY1Mr4cHfoJkDcRLaO2Bo6Kuxkm9tasXZUOf6P8gRwkAT8NleqHPAJiUrBi-p4JYvEL3VsnsHCDSt55xxAYOGU1W_NmDE_mPsmw/s1600-h/moller-brown.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oF1NLtyl2z8a878QWQfTlfg-mOXAGkSlguPggBeqPIY1Mr4cHfoJkDcRLaO2Bo6Kuxkm9tasXZUOf6P8gRwkAT8NleqHPAJiUrBi-p4JYvEL3VsnsHCDSt55xxAYOGU1W_NmDE_mPsmw/s400/moller-brown.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414050149908089714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Act like you been there before, Oscar."</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Lil' Swedish Scamp, Oscar Moller, had a great goal tonight on an even better pass from Wayne Simmonds. Over at <a href="http://www.battleofcali.com">Battle of California</a>, RudyKelly is having a <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/sportsblogs/battleofcali/%7E3/JXDfApAuDNE/kings-gameday-im-going-to-poll-you">great debate</a> about his nickname "MeatTrain" for Wayne Simmonds. While I love this nickname, I suggest a new one for the 21 year-old 3rd line winger... "Midas." Because from Alexander Frolov to Scott Parse to Oscar Moller... everything this kid touches turns to muthafuckin' gold.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1TJ1HP0xD_dvIYDExhaKPO7rnn7OUHrnEkhZK8_EZuDt80AOz7AWVtWUEZkBpdm_Q7tK-ez0DR6Dz-M3LvEjFgpjeJCWlC0a6giMxRPQw9tpKOHmOhRMZtlidoET4SepP53X-8X83Rwl/s1600-h/610x.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1TJ1HP0xD_dvIYDExhaKPO7rnn7OUHrnEkhZK8_EZuDt80AOz7AWVtWUEZkBpdm_Q7tK-ez0DR6Dz-M3LvEjFgpjeJCWlC0a6giMxRPQw9tpKOHmOhRMZtlidoET4SepP53X-8X83Rwl/s400/610x.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414059795791920674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh right, he already won gold in 2008 as a junior.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">The 5-4 shootout in San Jose on Wednesday may not show it, but ever since Rob Scuderi has returned to the Kings lineup, their defense has been stellar. And last night, Coach Murray decided to dress 7 defensemen in order to give them a bit of rest throughout the game. It seemed to work.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xU1_0NQiYMkPqIV3k1ZLHSfEJ8BN1sQPS55Cr2gWMeHjRcVCQgFB2JW7OH5EEklwG3v7m5Eo8UA0xNbVTwp3JtO8Ak8ywTS0H6cLKFZd9kXraR-zSxiNiVgZdj-sY0EFo3OVdyWX-FIe/s1600-h/dee+men.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xU1_0NQiYMkPqIV3k1ZLHSfEJ8BN1sQPS55Cr2gWMeHjRcVCQgFB2JW7OH5EEklwG3v7m5Eo8UA0xNbVTwp3JtO8Ak8ywTS0H6cLKFZd9kXraR-zSxiNiVgZdj-sY0EFo3OVdyWX-FIe/s400/dee+men.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414049925011254578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The newest award-winning drama from AMC.... "D Men."<br /></span></div></div></div><br /></div></div>But the biggest news last night was the triumphant return of Kings sideline reporter Heidi Androl to the Fox Sports West HD airwaves. In all honesty, I'm really proud of their decision to not suspend Heidi because of her <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/12/heidi-androl-kings-fox-sports-west.html">pending DUI arrest</a>. When it comes to the media, people can be <a href="http://deadspin.com/5409964/clippers-broadcasters-suspended-for-mispronouncing-iranian">crucified</a> for <a href="http://faithandfear.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2009/11/18/4383401.html">bad decisions</a>, but it's nice to know that Fox Sports West HD has Androl's back. Did someone say Androl's back?!?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi584G4iNN5Y0sRX9q_ZHEX4vN09wD69hyaTWy5cldfOH4Aek4W4Yumb6lA68cXEUd_Osf60nUIYe7-9mp8XnzFiXTcJ08F77DFjMSyROkNSlvw-xmUb8u_MMugrublnEfR3BP4n4L3CDD2/s1600-h/heidi+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi584G4iNN5Y0sRX9q_ZHEX4vN09wD69hyaTWy5cldfOH4Aek4W4Yumb6lA68cXEUd_Osf60nUIYe7-9mp8XnzFiXTcJ08F77DFjMSyROkNSlvw-xmUb8u_MMugrublnEfR3BP4n4L3CDD2/s400/heidi+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414049935753035634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I promise to be good. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Kings have done a few "Spotlight" nights on different players throughout the season and tonights one was on Kings forward and <a href="http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2009/06/jarret-stoll-dumps-rachel-hunter-calls-off-wedding/">former supermodel dater</a>, Jarret Stoll. Heidi took a tour of the new home that Stoll is building in... guess where? <a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/2009/10/1300th-win-is-toughest.html">Manhattan Beach</a>. Did you know that Stoll currently lives with Brad Richardson and Teddy Purcell. I bet those are some fun friday nights! I call first game on Xbox!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJvEqd6NxJeFQREMkVCEg9O66FyoWPWeZTOopm8cL_4zlPu8IwZQ6a-GbataPKi1TGhofUduTW35IowUTDTvG7V1NDiVImFT-B5OSEcXacpABw1f5COMIlq486MZv3AJXqTOyFZPnG3Ov/s1600-h/stoll+intv.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJvEqd6NxJeFQREMkVCEg9O66FyoWPWeZTOopm8cL_4zlPu8IwZQ6a-GbataPKi1TGhofUduTW35IowUTDTvG7V1NDiVImFT-B5OSEcXacpABw1f5COMIlq486MZv3AJXqTOyFZPnG3Ov/s400/stoll+intv.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414050171530570018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">So, yeah I play hockey.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpX6d20sJsJyNFTbBElSGYEbO1LpOLhaPiCj1agqqLwdS6SYvIY8EUhLEabFj8PXjTY3p7Iir6YF4Xj5GLdL1CqIC1RaFgR5f_hHNDeGwHhKwZx6siadKm_iIaSB-GNF3lWcauFXeXVZxE/s1600-h/heidi+laugh.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpX6d20sJsJyNFTbBElSGYEbO1LpOLhaPiCj1agqqLwdS6SYvIY8EUhLEabFj8PXjTY3p7Iir6YF4Xj5GLdL1CqIC1RaFgR5f_hHNDeGwHhKwZx6siadKm_iIaSB-GNF3lWcauFXeXVZxE/s400/heidi+laugh.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414049947742295234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh, Jarret... you are SO funny!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Jarret took Heidi on a VIP tour of his new home showing off some of the challenges that go into building a home from scratch.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHq73Gys9LgAyXXhF19-h5AswUNW7__yjlrDwpVwLAh1faPkVvZNcFYAq36BsajW4pL6b5Rl1_MLngEWDdRU_2oo8SBjyTGTmioSmzFKyLKEXaPG13BwC0b4eM5sA8nAMFlDJuQqjREvZy/s1600-h/murray's+plans.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHq73Gys9LgAyXXhF19-h5AswUNW7__yjlrDwpVwLAh1faPkVvZNcFYAq36BsajW4pL6b5Rl1_MLngEWDdRU_2oo8SBjyTGTmioSmzFKyLKEXaPG13BwC0b4eM5sA8nAMFlDJuQqjREvZy/s400/murray's+plans.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414050157126917586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Man, Coach Murray's power play diagrams are intense. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Stoll also showed off his soon-to-be new pool. But with all that rain last night in LA, I could only think about <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwimGoNkp6M">Poltergeist</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDJ9biSFLGNiPZHyJk677VFzIKBQ_CJ-MF4dgY3KGrk_gmEiuwlQiAEvlj-deWPDQNXWeTqKLsyiMFVyFKYo6sr3sdGNOF55vVMqIXRZeJiT7x0GM2EJPPV6CwPNqNVlXhJ3cnZPmarD_/s1600-h/stoll+pool.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDJ9biSFLGNiPZHyJk677VFzIKBQ_CJ-MF4dgY3KGrk_gmEiuwlQiAEvlj-deWPDQNXWeTqKLsyiMFVyFKYo6sr3sdGNOF55vVMqIXRZeJiT7x0GM2EJPPV6CwPNqNVlXhJ3cnZPmarD_/s400/stoll+pool.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414050370896559218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A real Canadian would have built a backyard rink. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This was a real life construction site... people are working 24 hours a day to build Jarret Stoll's new home. I'm sure being a pro athlete and potentially having fans working at your house all the time can be difficult.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQDZQaox8AXb6pM82A74XfTDmLpG32aepQE1UvwoyoaZuJbjwyE3GCSLH6L7kREFJL3Qvo1vasdBH3xbSFrFmwDZZZJCDTg4nOkfCTnNa6oXjqhzxv-HgLWXOgTFr2CTRmVkV0qstFCG5/s1600-h/worker+vish.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQDZQaox8AXb6pM82A74XfTDmLpG32aepQE1UvwoyoaZuJbjwyE3GCSLH6L7kREFJL3Qvo1vasdBH3xbSFrFmwDZZZJCDTg4nOkfCTnNa6oXjqhzxv-HgLWXOgTFr2CTRmVkV0qstFCG5/s400/worker+vish.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414050399315700354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >"I still can't believe we traded Visnovsky for this guy." </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And then Stoll pulled a move that I'm sure he's pulled countless times before in his young life... he brought the chick upstairs.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMJ3nLv_RHpGlMoGFQ4u1Ih6ftU8krQvHBneWe0vvoaB4tI6PgrVubUX1RUX3QF8Ag6lpJ0Hg8W43utERjI3aCmBr97CLcuemOvnjk2pZOaK5VLpxSiQFYa0hLt3yhmQE-CX-nWHRBIP6/s1600-h/upstairs.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMJ3nLv_RHpGlMoGFQ4u1Ih6ftU8krQvHBneWe0vvoaB4tI6PgrVubUX1RUX3QF8Ag6lpJ0Hg8W43utERjI3aCmBr97CLcuemOvnjk2pZOaK5VLpxSiQFYa0hLt3yhmQE-CX-nWHRBIP6/s400/upstairs.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414050389068978882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >"Yeah, I just want to show you my trophies. Right this way."<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Also, throughout the night during the celebration of all things Jarret Stoll, they showed pictures of him playing hockey as a child. But I'm not sure how this current photo of Oscar Moller snuck in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1iJyV26nm6cemgQ6ZSHN5NLDG7738aas8L2KaKr0vIda1lzLjHG_9uIJLFrDlgMkDrRUyvtZFfrl3pigYiglajuE911twvzWQz36x2U9mGm6qOI3SndOvfQlrQOojqbQzdLHs3BAJkst/s1600-h/stoller.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1iJyV26nm6cemgQ6ZSHN5NLDG7738aas8L2KaKr0vIda1lzLjHG_9uIJLFrDlgMkDrRUyvtZFfrl3pigYiglajuE911twvzWQz36x2U9mGm6qOI3SndOvfQlrQOojqbQzdLHs3BAJkst/s400/stoller.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414050373806114994" border="0" /></a><br />This game truly had everything... even a surprise celebrity guest at the end!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLXjk20WX3yEb2Ywv4Em6ltQrbJH8uBbay5pXL1orel4u3pJ21p1gWlU2c36gZVyxPnF7oTZIfIWrxg96dQvmm5_5VQzBtqjUhUoIzOADljxzCNWAKrjBJxoOD-dXRouxVJMKA7sAPJXG/s1600-h/smyth+alive.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLXjk20WX3yEb2Ywv4Em6ltQrbJH8uBbay5pXL1orel4u3pJ21p1gWlU2c36gZVyxPnF7oTZIfIWrxg96dQvmm5_5VQzBtqjUhUoIzOADljxzCNWAKrjBJxoOD-dXRouxVJMKA7sAPJXG/s400/smyth+alive.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414050163000581890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Hey guys, remember me! I'm the reason this team was doing so well!<br />Oh... right. See ya soon?<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Check out the awesome <a href="http://www.hipchecks.com/">HipChecks</a> and <a href="http://www.fiveforhowling.com/">Five For Howling</a> for all things Phoenix (and eventually <a href="http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/the-morning-skate-rangers-regress-quebecs-progress-and-fetisovs-resurrection/">Quebec</a>) related. </span>The Kings take on the Dallas Stars Saturday night at Staples and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> and I will be there.<br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-58899016136054455172009-12-09T23:57:00.000-08:002009-12-10T02:47:49.457-08:00Drought ResistantWow. What a game. Those were two elite NHL teams out there on the ice in San Jose tonight and it's still hard to believe that the Los Angeles Kings are one of them. The Kings skated up and down the rink with the Sharks all game long and saved one of their best efforts for this important matchup. The Kings are playing with incredible confidence right now... how confident are they?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTi0wZN62kXHYiGKf-MEnavZK8DmcY0SsOesdYiwPZeS1jcGyPx7y7GhNddsxp_b8TeufiByTwrjtSQwRn5ffXcyVZT7XzpYvO-VxkZ7gcM6F8feiqTAMFzGbQgZL-GMLgptbEim_k1cPj/s1600-h/snot+rocket+copy.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTi0wZN62kXHYiGKf-MEnavZK8DmcY0SsOesdYiwPZeS1jcGyPx7y7GhNddsxp_b8TeufiByTwrjtSQwRn5ffXcyVZT7XzpYvO-VxkZ7gcM6F8feiqTAMFzGbQgZL-GMLgptbEim_k1cPj/s400/snot+rocket+copy.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413541828126362818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The Kings are so confident, they can blow snot rockets while they celebrate a goal being scored. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Stay classy, Randy Jones!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Coach Murray rolled the dice on this one by dusting off Kings backup goaltender Erik Ersberg and throwing him into a game against the NHL's #2 overall team. Sure, Coach Murray's <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=2194">reasoning</a> was sound enough... he felt that the more important game is Thursday's game at home against Phoenix... but even Erik Ersberg was surprised by the decision to start him tonight.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLc0qvbr_jITP2CrBJAcqtf23yog8b-RvJz6QMKaC6s0kxI5Hb58_sSp5m54_1EPgnrkO3pn1KiUBF-Pq9B-e21n4OonItUqcbn11yiUv24LMHD2_jPuBBrAjo1HKKfuZiC4RFOT97muy/s1600-h/whaaaa%3F.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLc0qvbr_jITP2CrBJAcqtf23yog8b-RvJz6QMKaC6s0kxI5Hb58_sSp5m54_1EPgnrkO3pn1KiUBF-Pq9B-e21n4OonItUqcbn11yiUv24LMHD2_jPuBBrAjo1HKKfuZiC4RFOT97muy/s400/whaaaa%3F.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413537589989265218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"I'm starting against whom?</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Shouldn't we wait until we play Edmonton?"</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"> But lil' Erik Ersberg played his heart out tonight. Throwing himself in front of everything the Sharks came at him with... and the Sharks came at him strong and often the entire game, taking 34 shots against the young Swede. Ersberg did his job... he made the saves when he needed to and kept the Kings close. Sure that Manny Malhotra goal was one he should have saved... but who gives a shit... the Kings beat the Sharks!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYwUklYKi9SL5cqeoORi5fF4YLyh-axWlZ5QBkG1DK0NdgXN9aLHABOUoen06Fc3C5VWMPvg7F4E39heR3RiRL-s9VnpEedsfu4bHp8pScQXCbz7yqikUv3WRSE9gXUqVNrbDab8bhklU/s1600-h/ref+talk.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYwUklYKi9SL5cqeoORi5fF4YLyh-axWlZ5QBkG1DK0NdgXN9aLHABOUoen06Fc3C5VWMPvg7F4E39heR3RiRL-s9VnpEedsfu4bHp8pScQXCbz7yqikUv3WRSE9gXUqVNrbDab8bhklU/s400/ref+talk.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413537550560993378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >"Could you get Quick's autograph for me? My kid loves him."</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >The Royal Half Whipping Boy™</span> Teddy Purcell came out of his shell tonight with a beautiful power play goal, thus justifying Coach Murray keeping him in the lineup during a 27 game goalless streak. Purcell was pretty much the only dude not named Scuderi or O'Donnell to not score in the last 27 games.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoZcXpaSx1aefox7P22LHxVFODskwMlTE-UPd9EHbmy0GRjhOHqUBO4EHXf0obCjtz7IfAe0WQLWHzU1gsvUvgaQUddns8dwRTZpjuKgbXhj3lFXVPfto1ootxUQ2wVcJdbpmbp0mAYpR/s1600-h/teddy+stolly.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoZcXpaSx1aefox7P22LHxVFODskwMlTE-UPd9EHbmy0GRjhOHqUBO4EHXf0obCjtz7IfAe0WQLWHzU1gsvUvgaQUddns8dwRTZpjuKgbXhj3lFXVPfto1ootxUQ2wVcJdbpmbp0mAYpR/s400/teddy+stolly.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413537580387820594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >"Okay, I finally scored one. So you said you'd give me <a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/2008/10/stupid-saturday.html">Rachel Hunter's</a> number.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br />Nope."</span><br /></div><br />As a fan of a team, you always hope that your best players will step up in a big game. And by step up, I mean break a 14 game goal scoreless streak. Welcome back to the NHL, Anze Kopitar. You want to see what the exhale of a deep sigh of relief looks like in Slo-Mo?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iqniYpEptGr9SKUDS9eE3d5cw5OR5d2i69juwLmhyphenhyphenRaXDo9X8VtI7URPznOLMqEVdOWy7bl_ZmJudBXTerNl8kU6j3648viODM1pRrGDXogUCh5fKxKIMdUs_3sLrMWwvIIfAqQeNWQj/s1600-h/exhale.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iqniYpEptGr9SKUDS9eE3d5cw5OR5d2i69juwLmhyphenhyphenRaXDo9X8VtI7URPznOLMqEVdOWy7bl_ZmJudBXTerNl8kU6j3648viODM1pRrGDXogUCh5fKxKIMdUs_3sLrMWwvIIfAqQeNWQj/s400/exhale.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413537123452744898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh thank god. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Kopitar's goal was off a beautiful pass from newly 20-Year-Old, Drew Doughty. This was one of Doughty's best games yet. I have a question to the hockey world... when do we start talking about Drew Doughty as a potential <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=506614">Norris Trophy</a> candidate? Cause he's kinda leading NHL defensemen with 8 goals.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwLYOMGNQyArZKJc_JFoPthuklxcZwjyykVaC548qY3mBaYs62Bx_PPWOY8R0k85rn_70UttqygJRMxysGR_esNiZ01e5-QNJlyCkO3UYC2aDh27oASSl3YXS5k-D56OWpvNSNOjQfW8Y/s1600-h/prince+to+king.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwLYOMGNQyArZKJc_JFoPthuklxcZwjyykVaC548qY3mBaYs62Bx_PPWOY8R0k85rn_70UttqygJRMxysGR_esNiZ01e5-QNJlyCkO3UYC2aDh27oASSl3YXS5k-D56OWpvNSNOjQfW8Y/s400/prince+to+king.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413537546702628130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">From Prince to King is the wrong analogy. It sells Drew too short.<br />How about "From King to Atilla the Hun."<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">That 3rd period was quite a doozy with enough back and forth play from both teams to make your hair turn blue.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipPBTJg8Q_EjVshyeqhXgNpFBdkx6K9RBmxCM7NjD8WMNjL1Jx3kIe4-r3r3hpdMGfYPB0XnN7SrDsZgWzr4_UKKvb5pWiuYGMm4HaqHef5kJElz9wzTLTXIpUu7a5d3Byn8ym56MMFEm/s1600-h/blue+hairs.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipPBTJg8Q_EjVshyeqhXgNpFBdkx6K9RBmxCM7NjD8WMNjL1Jx3kIe4-r3r3hpdMGfYPB0XnN7SrDsZgWzr4_UKKvb5pWiuYGMm4HaqHef5kJElz9wzTLTXIpUu7a5d3Byn8ym56MMFEm/s400/blue+hairs.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413537094286421522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Must be the San Jose player's wives section.</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />And the 3rd period was a perfect time for Fox Sports West HD to unveil their latest breakthrough in television advertising... covering the lower half of the screen with an ad!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhDHyt2xn9NsNi8oEjsIm2iA9tNt6MIFLxlYute8yRW-DMltqvH-LvwPtuoIVIKxuf3OGl6HfUf8g-66kraQ3snUb1ZaCaL76IYyou3rgtoFRjpbeh-KFmPhhNTBtlUwWjPu3KUzoQoPz/s1600-h/dentist.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhDHyt2xn9NsNi8oEjsIm2iA9tNt6MIFLxlYute8yRW-DMltqvH-LvwPtuoIVIKxuf3OGl6HfUf8g-66kraQ3snUb1ZaCaL76IYyou3rgtoFRjpbeh-KFmPhhNTBtlUwWjPu3KUzoQoPz/s400/dentist.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413537103791204338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Hmm... I wonder if Drew Doughty gets a discount?</span><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRyzyYFn9j57y5lXtgA1KBe6mVwroQj4osWFbDDKtnOxlJSl4mdvLMccZZMvCAIFAnaYdwOWeiVUeodNwjWoEF4E5_1aT_7wnmnR-VXEdwgg83Qun8PNL26fCna5ShcwFh-EDX6WIEu8Z/s1600-h/dough+teeth.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRyzyYFn9j57y5lXtgA1KBe6mVwroQj4osWFbDDKtnOxlJSl4mdvLMccZZMvCAIFAnaYdwOWeiVUeodNwjWoEF4E5_1aT_7wnmnR-VXEdwgg83Qun8PNL26fCna5ShcwFh-EDX6WIEu8Z/s400/dough+teeth.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413549186859380562" border="0" /></a></div><br />And then, wouldn't you know it, with Teddy Purcell and Anze Kopitar breaking their futility streaks... Captain Dustin Brown just wanted to get in on the action a little bit with this game-winning goal, his first in 15 games.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20092010,2,451&event=S.J1152" frameborder="0" height="289" width="480"></iframe><br /></div><br />Sure, Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov was definitely off his game tonight and really didn't look solid at all. But the Kings took advantage of that and won the game. Want to know what it looks like when a young team that is having fun wins? It looks like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAtIzYGOp8aPh3sMwHCaH23N9O4sPKYasXyVtrrq2Z4Rl3yNXRoQTun1TqOsYjjIyxqKindquWsSttxm84m-8Bx-LNgGV3R2cf4CLzW6V7ajLDku19g03Vyxw2gLPruO-xuvtZ6UUQkIi/s1600-h/win.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAtIzYGOp8aPh3sMwHCaH23N9O4sPKYasXyVtrrq2Z4Rl3yNXRoQTun1TqOsYjjIyxqKindquWsSttxm84m-8Bx-LNgGV3R2cf4CLzW6V7ajLDku19g03Vyxw2gLPruO-xuvtZ6UUQkIi/s400/win.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413537705960209474" border="0" /></a><br />I mean how could any Kings fan in their right minds not be happy with this game?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhMtrrxtLX9C4BgZCPFDL1NRce7ZhfFfpaDcmu5bWtDFiN7Kf8KjkT7nL1uh1GFbpdYccOlRJnyOEhOcQfjETqOc2XbNVLEe6pL8R6a0WJ5ZrMXgdpo9wTwKSFBaGMTfOfMYDMKuGsNp4/s1600-h/kings+crew.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhMtrrxtLX9C4BgZCPFDL1NRce7ZhfFfpaDcmu5bWtDFiN7Kf8KjkT7nL1uh1GFbpdYccOlRJnyOEhOcQfjETqOc2XbNVLEe6pL8R6a0WJ5ZrMXgdpo9wTwKSFBaGMTfOfMYDMKuGsNp4/s400/kings+crew.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413537131940850322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Maybe it's because they didn't make the <a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/2009/11/flaming-hot.html">Ice Girls</a>?</span><br /></div><br />Check out the great <a href="http://www.fearthefin.com/">Fear the Fin</a> and <a href="http://couchtarts.com/">Couch Tarts</a> and see if they say "shit... the Kings are finally good." Thought this was an important game? Well, Thursday at Staples Center, the Phoenix Coyotes come into town a mere 4 points behind the Los Angeles Kings. Michal Handzus... I believe it's your turn!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR4Whs37DpkQx7w6AvrLY6mgpvGel7lcnYHwu-2f1ma-dpyIHlCmi1w9snb2dSKF92DDIGHwFlziybFE6SRnzVRCo8EpAe85uPqgXBh4UoXUQFXm9pBwJ6PYFbdEYY_LFSXt4S9ZqMYjh/s1600-h/drought.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR4Whs37DpkQx7w6AvrLY6mgpvGel7lcnYHwu-2f1ma-dpyIHlCmi1w9snb2dSKF92DDIGHwFlziybFE6SRnzVRCo8EpAe85uPqgXBh4UoXUQFXm9pBwJ6PYFbdEYY_LFSXt4S9ZqMYjh/s400/drought.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413554836960177970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Wow... this graphic was from 5 games ago... and they didn't even include Teddy Purcell.</span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > </span></div></div></div></div></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-45664559200037529422009-12-08T08:48:00.000-08:002009-12-08T09:56:52.955-08:00Flame RetardantThe Los Angeles Kings had not beat the Calgary Flames since February 15th of 2008. For the hockey layman... 1 time in their last 11 meetings. The Kings once again did not bring their best game... but they still walked away with a victory. Having Rob Scuderi back in the lineup made a big difference on defense as Scuderi and Matt Greene did a great job of smothering the Flames and preventing any real offense from the team. And young goaltender Jon Quick hands-down had his best game of the season. He out-Kiprusoff'd Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff. Don't believe me? Then check out this save.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20092010,2,437&event=L.A558" frameborder="0" height="289" width="480"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kings 2</span>, Calgary Flames 1<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This night featured a couple great highlights... the kind of highlights that would be on Sportscenter...if Sportscenter still featured hockey nightly. Kings rookie Scott Parse now has 11 points in 21 games and 9 points in his last 9 games. And last night... he scored one of the prettiest goals of the Kings season.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20092010,2,437&event=L.A75" frameborder="0" height="289" width="480"></iframe><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Not sure if I'd describe Scott Parse as "lanky."</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">With leading scorer (and former NHL league leader) Anze Kopitar now scoreless in 13 straight games, just try to imagine where the Kings would be without Scott Parse, Wayne Simmonds and Michal Handzus. I love watching this line play every night and with Coach Murray making incredibly quick line changes last night, even Murray seemed eager to get that line out as much as possible.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j_OTl7Nn4ih7OWTILELBThzX4SbFV7R14Rjuw6XD3RiCxwN6E9FCH4eoSUDEYA-xkESurBMGf90rOqpTjn-mkrQfHiZ4bIMXluydENwkKOs85H5zMRq-BYpW2WkrbciUSuU_tI4pYCNV/s1600-h/capt.1dc426854710452f83b776c91270159e.flames_kings_hockey_las101.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j_OTl7Nn4ih7OWTILELBThzX4SbFV7R14Rjuw6XD3RiCxwN6E9FCH4eoSUDEYA-xkESurBMGf90rOqpTjn-mkrQfHiZ4bIMXluydENwkKOs85H5zMRq-BYpW2WkrbciUSuU_tI4pYCNV/s400/capt.1dc426854710452f83b776c91270159e.flames_kings_hockey_las101.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412912333678055762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">It may have taken you 5 years, Scooter Parse... but welcome to the NHL. </span><br /></div><br />As far as Teddy Purcell and PurcellWatch '09?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-OmEhoDkPlEFLDXOlSULsNc1nYcBkIuNkd7GtR9AE5NQQp_6BARr_jatK_VoAL8Booy6ssPNGNfRxBWFU6-r3sb0_6Yahtukhe_W_QA_Eh7sn5PyV7abjF7YuZxMayI0_pOHTJR_EVpO/s1600-h/119024384v5_225x225_Front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-OmEhoDkPlEFLDXOlSULsNc1nYcBkIuNkd7GtR9AE5NQQp_6BARr_jatK_VoAL8Booy6ssPNGNfRxBWFU6-r3sb0_6Yahtukhe_W_QA_Eh7sn5PyV7abjF7YuZxMayI0_pOHTJR_EVpO/s400/119024384v5_225x225_Front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412913177850837634" border="0" /></a><br />Teddy Purcell had 09:45 minutes on the ice and newly bearded Oscar Moller had 06:52. Moller still gets pushed around out there, much more than Purcell does, but his potential offensive upside seems to excite Kings fans much, much more than Purcell's can. Well at least the fans that showed up to this game.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVQ2VpblGbR5WXQug7qpxLErMkoz68FqPqXKXHUJXOpSigmTdEwjltJtzmh1qj8xeg7tsvkAkaDOVSYZSeCsyH5eBs1uIocguYP8Z_YG804KUEwxxCzI0bnk8Puu75nuNZkDCExf9k9Ds/s1600-h/IMG_2016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVQ2VpblGbR5WXQug7qpxLErMkoz68FqPqXKXHUJXOpSigmTdEwjltJtzmh1qj8xeg7tsvkAkaDOVSYZSeCsyH5eBs1uIocguYP8Z_YG804KUEwxxCzI0bnk8Puu75nuNZkDCExf9k9Ds/s400/IMG_2016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412908512270045010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Pleeeeenty of good seats available.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The LA Times might be worried about the <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/latimes/sports/hockey/nhl/kings/%7E3/SibWaIdHvDY/la-sp-elliott-nhl8-2009dec08,0,501419.column">lack of attendance</a> at Kings' home games... but last night was the first game all season I felt like the arena was empty. I mean... a Monday night home game against a team from Calgary when it's close to freezing outside doesn't bring in the crowds? Bah! It sucks that more people weren't there last night because they missed the new <a href="http://twitter.com/ohcarrlyn/statuses/6443457268">space-aged</a> Santa costumes on the Kings Ice Crew.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRATQ4TFVn7kpv_36X4NRKHaUZQau2_TioVgWqV0WX1pK_LJXi-b3ocSN5wXbDb6KSh55a2yxhyphenhyphenPgGx9KIkDOZzVSbgWs6-vzcbtAa-FtlVQlKffV2WsZ-jFlxWFEwew5j6t3dnMfcPcy/s1600-h/IMG_2017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRATQ4TFVn7kpv_36X4NRKHaUZQau2_TioVgWqV0WX1pK_LJXi-b3ocSN5wXbDb6KSh55a2yxhyphenhyphenPgGx9KIkDOZzVSbgWs6-vzcbtAa-FtlVQlKffV2WsZ-jFlxWFEwew5j6t3dnMfcPcy/s400/IMG_2017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412908514356603474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">They should just go ahead and wear these year round. </span><br /></div><br />And since it is the holiday season, the Team LA store was busting out some great holiday gifts for Kings fans of all ages.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMZypoPj-ARiX5yUN4LcHTkjWzUuDTdbkfKGWBdcujIujoPvbJA9KI-seE8ss5LLsLdJUlXlVAG08CPI10lk1H3NKOo0SNmpHhbodLSISVpPHV1494QvtTtFFmM8FwXOeQnmxevwKehxQ/s1600-h/IMG_2020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMZypoPj-ARiX5yUN4LcHTkjWzUuDTdbkfKGWBdcujIujoPvbJA9KI-seE8ss5LLsLdJUlXlVAG08CPI10lk1H3NKOo0SNmpHhbodLSISVpPHV1494QvtTtFFmM8FwXOeQnmxevwKehxQ/s400/IMG_2020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412908528839246818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">It's a former King Michael Cammalleri power bracelet!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">This bracelet proves that you are <a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/hockeywood/1018-kings1.jpg">tall enough</a> for rides at Disneyland.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">If you watching you money this holiday season then check out this heavily discounted lovely bobblehead.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKC6PkAcYfB0CeoIJWMOF2ecXXN7iB2bxhahVYcM2BU-pp9QTOw0ednWSm99xxnT5Uztnxv1wxFh12ikyMShHj8THixPIkfjDzuwROukdRemTZKmNNHFH7KTlg8l0MvAKBuDWRlho7fXWP/s1600-h/IMG_2021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKC6PkAcYfB0CeoIJWMOF2ecXXN7iB2bxhahVYcM2BU-pp9QTOw0ednWSm99xxnT5Uztnxv1wxFh12ikyMShHj8THixPIkfjDzuwROukdRemTZKmNNHFH7KTlg8l0MvAKBuDWRlho7fXWP/s400/IMG_2021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412908534119261394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">If you push the button on the base it goes:<br />BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!<br /></span></div></div></div><br />There was a lot of talk last night around the arena from fans about the recent legal troubles and subsequent absence of Kings sideline reporter Heidi Androl from the game last night. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> and I thought it strange that Rich Hammond had made no mention of the arrest. We got into a discussion of just how "free" Hammond was to report on Kings coming and goings. Well after the game, Hammond threw this into his <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=2187">post-game notes</a>:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Heidi Androl, who does on-camera work for the Kings on TV and online, did not work Monday. She was arrested early Monday morning, reportedly for suspicion of driving under the influence."</span><br /><br />I certainly DO NOT want the Kings Insider to turn into a gossip blog. There are plenty of other <a href="http://www.hockeybuzz.com/">blogs</a> for that. But I do think it is important for the Kings organization to acknowledge what happened... even if they get into all the details. I didn't watch the game on Fox Sports West... but I can only assume that Heidi was not a part of the broadcast. Because she sure wasn't on the ice for her traditional post-game interview with the games' first star.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNdlAqLnOiy6R6pxWv94tEcpDCMof_kMnCbUdHdlOjI4a4QFf_U-Reecu4EyQeM8ffu3kaqS_lA8LzjEeNVAMzPVwEfROJeyyL_8I2KLlD9eWgfViqiP2XZOmWr9PYjTn3psLVPLREvYy/s1600-h/IMG_2027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNdlAqLnOiy6R6pxWv94tEcpDCMof_kMnCbUdHdlOjI4a4QFf_U-Reecu4EyQeM8ffu3kaqS_lA8LzjEeNVAMzPVwEfROJeyyL_8I2KLlD9eWgfViqiP2XZOmWr9PYjTn3psLVPLREvYy/s400/IMG_2027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412908542682734994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Your post-game interview with the Kings' #1 star of the game... now 150% less sexier.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Who knew that Patrick O'Neal had such a wicked bald spot?!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A nice victory against the Calgary Flames puts the Los Angeles Kings in a 3-way tie for 3rd in the Western Conference</span>. 3 big games all in a row coming up this week... San Jose on the road Wednesday, Phoenix at home on Thursday and Dallas at home on Saturday. Those are 6 possible Pacific Division points at play. It's almost mid-December and these games mean something. It's the greatest gift a Kings fan could get.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-13774359377749443442009-12-07T14:04:00.000-08:002009-12-07T14:28:04.225-08:00Breaking News!!!Huge breaking news hit the Los Angeles Kings community this morning. You've all probably read about it by now, but in case you haven't... I felt like The Royal Half should chime in because this person is one of our favorites members of the Kings family. Here is the <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=2158">press release</a>:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"[Oscar] Moller has also grown a beard since his last stint with the Kings, probably to protect against those New Hampshire winters."</span></span><br /><br />A Royal Half tipster sent in this photo of newly called up Oscar Moller with his beard.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt9wZfWPayXO5VvtrKgX9trFJUmhF0CBRMEwBrmQgkmFhvOqimWF4s7L-CU9luLS_XvG7QjoYoRf1V_vwoogCoehFDzH5vROi3xr1z7FM4V_Gi5uSRn_YGjZtTlwqeKHaH8w38Nonk2g2/s1600-h/Christmas+Card+with+beard+07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt9wZfWPayXO5VvtrKgX9trFJUmhF0CBRMEwBrmQgkmFhvOqimWF4s7L-CU9luLS_XvG7QjoYoRf1V_vwoogCoehFDzH5vROi3xr1z7FM4V_Gi5uSRn_YGjZtTlwqeKHaH8w38Nonk2g2/s400/Christmas+Card+with+beard+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412621571713891666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Just in time for the holidays!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, and Kings sideline reporter Heidi Androl <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/07/apprentice-reject-busted-for-dui/">was arrested</a> for suspicion of DUI this morning at 2:45am.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDS7ZQnleVJZrCxSblMfynTCEhszXnU1F1SijXi11aciFDtyhVCPLSaOPlgbFuuT2bOEpnU8hQFjUEV4e1BcGCu1Q8A9TeQIZwzDXXIMmGKaiQet1TJtC-so_W3bH332VvSURxEHcfXr4B/s1600-h/heidi+dog.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDS7ZQnleVJZrCxSblMfynTCEhszXnU1F1SijXi11aciFDtyhVCPLSaOPlgbFuuT2bOEpnU8hQFjUEV4e1BcGCu1Q8A9TeQIZwzDXXIMmGKaiQet1TJtC-so_W3bH332VvSURxEHcfXr4B/s400/heidi+dog.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412623316796959890" border="0" /></a><br />One can only assume she was driving home from the Luc Robitaille Hall of Fame Gala (check out <a href="http://mayor119.blogspot.com/">Mayor Manor's</a> live tweets from the event <a href="http://twitter.com/Mayor119">here</a>) I'm really ready for this Luc Robitaille stuff to be over with. Now it's starting to affect the ones I love. I have a feeling we may not be seeing Heidi on tonight's telecast.<br /></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-83241661047768990692009-12-06T23:26:00.000-08:002009-12-07T02:09:38.021-08:00Purcell Watch '09Well, it's <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=2147">official</a>. Apparently GM Dean Lombardi wants a winger with a little more long term offensive upside than Brad Richardson in his lineup. So the call to Manchester has been made and lil' Oscar Moller is coming back to Los Angeles!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPs9fnQxwUfMTvLWthIPqPAin9Bh9TgAnetHiUlnj45FXtjRazC0iMRfugxKMloUKLTMRnzoHG-U3kEaPInHyfPxy-Z-MYSchse2RpPZPn1kn8TQdBvAYkhinw_chMo0HhqOEwdRyg0uUG/s1600-h/Picture+12.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPs9fnQxwUfMTvLWthIPqPAin9Bh9TgAnetHiUlnj45FXtjRazC0iMRfugxKMloUKLTMRnzoHG-U3kEaPInHyfPxy-Z-MYSchse2RpPZPn1kn8TQdBvAYkhinw_chMo0HhqOEwdRyg0uUG/s400/Picture+12.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412421074030698130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm back, bitches!</span><br /></div><br />And what does that mean for the rest of the current roster? Well, it means that we are back on PurcellWatch 09!!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIdOqxY_zOm3lhm0kJI5BIlHu3ytrX8Fmkf8kV4IuT1SqzgZ714X-OIefSyPJ-Iix61-8BG56nARb2GKc2zPG-jCP0_osutp22HCFDCqJfFDG0bq3Sd05ANgxxTmrlgfoVNu3lP2eR8Ph/s1600-h/KK0015418H_600_20090306.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIdOqxY_zOm3lhm0kJI5BIlHu3ytrX8Fmkf8kV4IuT1SqzgZ714X-OIefSyPJ-Iix61-8BG56nARb2GKc2zPG-jCP0_osutp22HCFDCqJfFDG0bq3Sd05ANgxxTmrlgfoVNu3lP2eR8Ph/s400/KK0015418H_600_20090306.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412421091528697202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Threat Level: <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Red</span> --- A potential benching in lieu of Raitis Ivanans or Peter Harrold</span><br /><br /></div>You have to assume that Moller will get a shot at cracking the top two lines. Heck, put him out there and just have him scream at Anze Kopitar in Swedish until Kopitar scores a goal for the first time in 12 games. But if that little Swedish scamp cracks the Kings lineup... it could mean the end for the Teddy Purcell Experiment.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHqjsDBZ6gcE3P-dKMhHbEbpiVTnlSgbRjnZzuMKzUuOPCdklqF2wO-uaxO53nO_DnXgEACaoWtm9YaHmky-vSdtc-FEKMC31m05g9ztEaMCwuSt1Ryh5g1V_gYAIYm81wMZCNhZhDMxe/s1600-h/85321278.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHqjsDBZ6gcE3P-dKMhHbEbpiVTnlSgbRjnZzuMKzUuOPCdklqF2wO-uaxO53nO_DnXgEACaoWtm9YaHmky-vSdtc-FEKMC31m05g9ztEaMCwuSt1Ryh5g1V_gYAIYm81wMZCNhZhDMxe/s400/85321278.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412422276004370354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Oscar and Teddy during much happier times. Much, much happier times for Purcell. </span><br /></div><br />Actually, Oscar Moller getting called up from Manchester may be the best thing possible for Teddy Purcell. Did you hear about the fancy new transportation that the Los Angeles Kings sprung for in order to get their prospects back and forth between Manchester, NH and Los Angeles, CA?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEU1tY-kbUKTkb7nEhWUh7BCT1k3C-GDvX_cbYst4hJ9jG0us5gktsChhTyiLjNRR8VGN0CZR539-Kz_zg0h969XUpieIEiWcOetCYRuefF3xofTkm-XVejygk4STLTH3hKl_AuUQ2-RP/s1600-h/Wareham_EMS_Ambulance_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEU1tY-kbUKTkb7nEhWUh7BCT1k3C-GDvX_cbYst4hJ9jG0us5gktsChhTyiLjNRR8VGN0CZR539-Kz_zg0h969XUpieIEiWcOetCYRuefF3xofTkm-XVejygk4STLTH3hKl_AuUQ2-RP/s400/Wareham_EMS_Ambulance_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412432769338069538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">It's the Manchester Express Ambulance!</span><br /></div><br />Getting called up from Manchester pretty much has been the kiss of death for all young Kings prospects. Don't believe me? Why don't you ask Richard Clune.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDjyxRDrsO7MWlb9HXZ4HamqaUZWbdcmC_50J3vVpYPyM5X_ABp2VuDWRsxHJ4bBR399diopKQ4ktkOiIFawMPbaDsLoK5qvYBTEdF4bB_GuVnYRpk9KFQYeokG6cBD6XpAwZnWoWB88i/s1600-h/l4035084.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDjyxRDrsO7MWlb9HXZ4HamqaUZWbdcmC_50J3vVpYPyM5X_ABp2VuDWRsxHJ4bBR399diopKQ4ktkOiIFawMPbaDsLoK5qvYBTEdF4bB_GuVnYRpk9KFQYeokG6cBD6XpAwZnWoWB88i/s400/l4035084.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412424696964698610" border="0" /></a><br />Clune pretty much made the Kings out of training camp 2 years in a row... only to suffer <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=241">injuries</a> that kept him from the final roster. Oh, and remember this guy?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqWilPmD4amVyRgRUCcWw4hwIE2bm_6Q_W-aF33SY36Ods71nk77d7OuDI0h52kBkC5ZvqTbsvCczyGYXYWSv86NqcKh-5KJYvTczfOVoa-S7ut-MMhDv57HiUQB-0zJMD6VAUACmdo3a/s1600-h/_mg_7140.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqWilPmD4amVyRgRUCcWw4hwIE2bm_6Q_W-aF33SY36Ods71nk77d7OuDI0h52kBkC5ZvqTbsvCczyGYXYWSv86NqcKh-5KJYvTczfOVoa-S7ut-MMhDv57HiUQB-0zJMD6VAUACmdo3a/s400/_mg_7140.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412424704431808098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">No... I don't remember him either.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Alec Martinez skated as a King for only the first game of the season. And then he suffered the dreaded "high ankle sprain." Oh... and what about Half Jew and High Energy forward Brandon Segal, called up from Manchester on November 23rd, just a few weeks ago?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuC_gyQRc38U69K8wMURiuYuegDepOVMM68l87Fg490wHKp0t1QlW_ALtK_96bWIZFE1kDg_YnisTTblqwcxcu-SipRYuRi0gWZPLfJsFQHdXHFAEzwxwgAzeWr4dVSh6SA-4MFHxJ7b_/s1600-h/7-injured-yellow-legged-gull.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuC_gyQRc38U69K8wMURiuYuegDepOVMM68l87Fg490wHKp0t1QlW_ALtK_96bWIZFE1kDg_YnisTTblqwcxcu-SipRYuRi0gWZPLfJsFQHdXHFAEzwxwgAzeWr4dVSh6SA-4MFHxJ7b_/s400/7-injured-yellow-legged-gull.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412426698993434658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">You might have to think a little while about this joke.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And finally, 19 year old Russian, Andrei Loktionov, was also called up on November 23rd from Manchester to make his NHL debut against the Edmonton Oilers. How'd that work out again?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2a5cTO_U7YHKLBadnaujVr9wPkwyzSujc90ecMYu_b32hB_mrujO8fWRuefccK7NKUevLPwU75Hj6PH0mdTzTC9XbgTeAVJ0rnapZIgajFXEKsGhOrwZE_3q2nhKq6IWX_O_FEnju_zDX/s1600-h/lot+shoulder+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2a5cTO_U7YHKLBadnaujVr9wPkwyzSujc90ecMYu_b32hB_mrujO8fWRuefccK7NKUevLPwU75Hj6PH0mdTzTC9XbgTeAVJ0rnapZIgajFXEKsGhOrwZE_3q2nhKq6IWX_O_FEnju_zDX/s400/lot+shoulder+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412422461093819906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh right. Good luck next year!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So I ask you... the Manchester Monarchs... a pipeline for Kings prospects... or a terror highway of disaster. I guess <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> and myself will find out in person against Calgary Monday night.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">---<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In other, more self-serving news... The Royal Half has made it to the 2nd round of the NHL Arena "Blog-Off." This is exciting because it's the first time anything Kings related has made it to the 2nd round since 2001! (HEY-OH!)<br /><br />So, I ask again, The Royal Half reader, please head to the <a href="http://thenhlarena.com/index.php?showtopic=118849">NHL Arena</a> and cast a vote for yours truly. Here's the link:<br /><br /><a href="http://thenhlarena.com/index.php?showtopic=118849">Kings Blog-Off Round 2</a><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-18581380439215157682009-12-05T17:16:00.000-08:002009-12-05T19:00:36.548-08:00Not So LuckyToday was bobblehead day for Luc Robitaille as the Los Angeles Kings celebrated his selection to the NHL Hall of Fame... a month after the Hall of Fame ceremony. Obviously Luc going into the Hall of Fame is a big deal for Kings fans as he is the first Kings-drafted player from my generation to make it into the Hall as a King. (Sorry Marcel Dionne and Wayne Gretzky!) But for some reason... I haven't been able to get that excited about it. I've always liked and respected Luc Robitaille for his dedication to the Kings and his 9th round "rags to riches" story... but he's never been one of my favorite players. I've never had the same excitement for him that I had for Gretzky or Adam Deadmarsh or Anze Kopitar or well... Chris Kontos. But my most fond memory of Luc was the start of the 1992-1993 NHL season... better known as the only time the Los Angeles Kings went to the Stanley Cup.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuU51dLZhoKlZr-LjF4rYLHdXlhzVTlQ-6-9g8uG-OAB19klm7p7VOHDXLNN9JkpsnUplbd5ksJbdxCO5JiRjHwJ_uig_sf3hcfMnHZ1l4EMTQB1q3gc1XZ-kc57DYwHnAnSiCSaW3dzbF/s1600-h/LucRobitaillesilverblack.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuU51dLZhoKlZr-LjF4rYLHdXlhzVTlQ-6-9g8uG-OAB19klm7p7VOHDXLNN9JkpsnUplbd5ksJbdxCO5JiRjHwJ_uig_sf3hcfMnHZ1l4EMTQB1q3gc1XZ-kc57DYwHnAnSiCSaW3dzbF/s400/LucRobitaillesilverblack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411930391195971906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">1993 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Sigh. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Many people forget that Wayne Gretzky was injured to start the 1992-1993 season. (Due to a lame check from behind by Gary Suter during the 1991 Canada Cup) So rookie coach Barry Melrose handed over the captainship of the team to Luc and basically said... keep us afloat till Wayne gets back. Luc did just that and ended up having a one of the greatest NHL seasons for a left winger with 63 goals and 125 points. I couldn't find the video online, but I'll never forget that moment in the Kings locker room after the Game 7 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs where Luc is arm and arm with Dave Taylor and screaming "we're going to the damn finals!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZifIoo3t_EcsrhJAm6gwxf1V4A15lUdxVg8nVkWIK-lyzzo7fdwljGw-XGmM0s3fE2eGbVVX_a1ZeX8UqhyphenhyphenacDfnfwDMOYr5uAzpSg734-QWQTV5pbGW9tIUx9vU1Aa1bXgKPvJKC3BdV/s1600-h/robitaille-blackjersey1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZifIoo3t_EcsrhJAm6gwxf1V4A15lUdxVg8nVkWIK-lyzzo7fdwljGw-XGmM0s3fE2eGbVVX_a1ZeX8UqhyphenhyphenacDfnfwDMOYr5uAzpSg734-QWQTV5pbGW9tIUx9vU1Aa1bXgKPvJKC3BdV/s400/robitaille-blackjersey1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411948791959925074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Kings went all out today at the game, featuring Robitaille merchandise where ever you could see.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrTlDmrCpyHF4_G-SIEZchkNES24pKJOZFwPaHoOwfYmbpjilT1GNu9OPZxvOCccqDnkA7VE6HefxjvSHj911nqU1WsDL_cJkq7C4akHNN1Y7KwdUaECiwSLQpXOjy81VXdOcXd3kYchJ/s1600-h/IMG_1994.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrTlDmrCpyHF4_G-SIEZchkNES24pKJOZFwPaHoOwfYmbpjilT1GNu9OPZxvOCccqDnkA7VE6HefxjvSHj911nqU1WsDL_cJkq7C4akHNN1Y7KwdUaECiwSLQpXOjy81VXdOcXd3kYchJ/s400/IMG_1994.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411926546080279394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGVrwWYbMmkLSTcjQbsHAvuyS8Mm0LIUZylSIapPQEiwfnzi2z7ax3hutBXknqtkyN57JN2PVl8YqZCEbqtMAIlBTIVTt_d5awwXw4MDzEPx-_OY4USoJ9gDjbslRReFRTRoefSCYJ-vb/s1600-h/IMG_1995.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGVrwWYbMmkLSTcjQbsHAvuyS8Mm0LIUZylSIapPQEiwfnzi2z7ax3hutBXknqtkyN57JN2PVl8YqZCEbqtMAIlBTIVTt_d5awwXw4MDzEPx-_OY4USoJ9gDjbslRReFRTRoefSCYJ-vb/s400/IMG_1995.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411926554203282338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8AHaYdQ7wLlLIo955uSUe0oAVB_45T4oIAD-T-o0iWPOwSMaryt-dmbk0TjTUtVPVW_GfalGgnkSqXuw4zf8yE7Fa8YoLGAzx9FcyKbW1xSp1LbUvj7_Pb_A6E2dwvOyVsyRjVDI5gZm/s1600-h/IMG_1996.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8AHaYdQ7wLlLIo955uSUe0oAVB_45T4oIAD-T-o0iWPOwSMaryt-dmbk0TjTUtVPVW_GfalGgnkSqXuw4zf8yE7Fa8YoLGAzx9FcyKbW1xSp1LbUvj7_Pb_A6E2dwvOyVsyRjVDI5gZm/s400/IMG_1996.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411926566690824994" border="0" /></a><br />And much like that <a href="http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2009/12/5/1186848/relive-the-canadiens-centennial">great ceremony in Montreal</a> last night, the Los Angeles Kings also invited back old, retired NHL'ers who once played with Luc in Los Angeles.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07EOiI56Xqwe3QUFgOlPE9IVIA_QnxIJ03P4O2765OOIqO7KII0l8dmM3F7v94dgUnpYsKm7UBhnNvFkcPclAd0IaoZMcM4rHUNcP7awLS2d1rk12BECm-2wlyUVpq58YBMehxOWyQpkb/s1600-h/IMG_2001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07EOiI56Xqwe3QUFgOlPE9IVIA_QnxIJ03P4O2765OOIqO7KII0l8dmM3F7v94dgUnpYsKm7UBhnNvFkcPclAd0IaoZMcM4rHUNcP7awLS2d1rk12BECm-2wlyUVpq58YBMehxOWyQpkb/s400/IMG_2001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411938025186856914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Darryl Sydor is still in the NHL?!? WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Over the past few years, us Kings fans have been witness to Luc's last game ceremony, then his jersey retirement ceremony and now today, his Hall of Fame selection ceremony.... and to be honest... I'm kinda over it. But Luc kept this one short and sweet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkQUbUoztrXYkjRblyhbapvWnUaXplXPemYz90yJnYRMz9CCLfQXAHWxC6LTlisWoUB7L_EwxbVwjZSt2glkKI-J1Ms0hYDqB5mzjF3LdZYfmsNDb6BZ2Zh6OLrg5lJ3d45keTjPzVO2x/s1600-h/IMG_2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkQUbUoztrXYkjRblyhbapvWnUaXplXPemYz90yJnYRMz9CCLfQXAHWxC6LTlisWoUB7L_EwxbVwjZSt2glkKI-J1Ms0hYDqB5mzjF3LdZYfmsNDb6BZ2Zh6OLrg5lJ3d45keTjPzVO2x/s400/IMG_2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411927096357171522" border="0" /></a><br />The greatest thing he said today was to Kings Captain Dustin Brown... Luc said he hopes the next time they have one of these things it's when Brown is lifting the cup. That would be the best move as Kings' President of Business Operations that Luc could ever make.<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq_mnpF4rgbWqSs8jLkcldFkhTVrGcRf557vv649qCnGwb8Pp-OVsIn7W6HxAjbiyFTmuC7rVTZvMQDhcEbsc4GdNFxpgrzryxMW7z6sPEcpMYAnKwgPdWj_weyMmVoT682sX4ycvOtBc/s1600-h/win6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq_mnpF4rgbWqSs8jLkcldFkhTVrGcRf557vv649qCnGwb8Pp-OVsIn7W6HxAjbiyFTmuC7rVTZvMQDhcEbsc4GdNFxpgrzryxMW7z6sPEcpMYAnKwgPdWj_weyMmVoT682sX4ycvOtBc/s400/win6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411939923320459986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Someday. Someday. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Oh right, there was a game today too. The St. Louis Blues are in town and as any Kings fan knows... when teams from the mid-west and east coast come into Staples... so do their LA-based fans.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGajtK3GmN7hk4ahUYPi0vr-aHyrCIzMzfXkVOWuZkmmawadPZYd2ONnKcssP-pN6xUknuQVPVPlPhl6R24V0clHPD3BGyLukT-eiNRYBwFoj5l5pMFJSmZxYhh27WvuLkt8TljFE9P2v/s1600-h/IMG_2003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGajtK3GmN7hk4ahUYPi0vr-aHyrCIzMzfXkVOWuZkmmawadPZYd2ONnKcssP-pN6xUknuQVPVPlPhl6R24V0clHPD3BGyLukT-eiNRYBwFoj5l5pMFJSmZxYhh27WvuLkt8TljFE9P2v/s400/IMG_2003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411927093935081666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Yeah, St. Louis doesn't have the kind of fan base in LA that a Pittsburgh or Detroit might have.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">These were really the only Blues fans I saw all night. </span><br /><br />Kings 4, <span style="font-weight: bold;">St. Louis Blues 5</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Kings got a point today. That's all you can really say about this game. I don't blame Jon Quick for most of those goals against and he did make some spectacular saves throughout the game. That line of Wayne Simmonds, Michal Handzus and Scott Parse is on fire... and every time they are on the ice you get the feeling they might score. Thankfully they are scoring... because no one else seems to be.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_t76Z_gg6tJ3mrYIskW6OsdZUUsyl-j-5whKYsSamhakkfaGmkXtdTzFxmJZsfZh7lqDXBKKEoP-vXFqtXrxkPN_yKychrCf1sLZR7t0I4dWb-uD3N4tJWJhbz7my9vLnKajNKIiF1VX/s1600-h/e41c430dcb9f4133c2c44e01ecb0368f-getty-90981331jg009_st_louis_blue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_t76Z_gg6tJ3mrYIskW6OsdZUUsyl-j-5whKYsSamhakkfaGmkXtdTzFxmJZsfZh7lqDXBKKEoP-vXFqtXrxkPN_yKychrCf1sLZR7t0I4dWb-uD3N4tJWJhbz7my9vLnKajNKIiF1VX/s400/e41c430dcb9f4133c2c44e01ecb0368f-getty-90981331jg009_st_louis_blue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411941529041194178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Guys... they may call us the 3rd line... but we know we are the 1st."<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">GM Dean Lombardi really is a genius. I can't believe he traded a 3rd round draft pick during the 2008 draft for one of the hottest scorers in the league.<br /></span></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlt4i4nLUPgkX3ubQxoCPki90K5adbgGWyl7nfAPaESk0wNuDpg5eGeypTZsCkM_okEpFIePBshTFA4XnA7EIeQbPbZpHj7pl_h_5ro08HdT3LMyvTnTgYZWbJOSgnBispzEOefRRxsZo/s1600-h/brad-richards.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlt4i4nLUPgkX3ubQxoCPki90K5adbgGWyl7nfAPaESk0wNuDpg5eGeypTZsCkM_okEpFIePBshTFA4XnA7EIeQbPbZpHj7pl_h_5ro08HdT3LMyvTnTgYZWbJOSgnBispzEOefRRxsZo/s400/brad-richards.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411942747433050402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">It's Brad Richard-SON? Oh, my bad. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Sure, he may not be having quite the season Brad Richards is having in <a href="http://www.theother6seconds.com/2009-articles/october/morgan-smith-putting-the-fun-back-in-h1n1.html">Dallas</a>, but Brad Richard<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">son</span> now has 4 points in 3 games. Maybe its been the great play of Brad Richardson that finally convinced the Kings to start selling Dean Lombardi merchandise at the Team LA store.<br /><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZe7DOAI0h8_yuDP4AEgw42qrAKuMdeWbt1OBJwtAfyXxy3MVaf6UqxlvZNLbByY8dq3w4u1gmXABbRmjkfS1giarflKtMG8bwqx0OSpVP8nA3Qspbr55bPkARbw7Y4DWej7dtFymshjf/s1600-h/IMG_1997.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZe7DOAI0h8_yuDP4AEgw42qrAKuMdeWbt1OBJwtAfyXxy3MVaf6UqxlvZNLbByY8dq3w4u1gmXABbRmjkfS1giarflKtMG8bwqx0OSpVP8nA3Qspbr55bPkARbw7Y4DWej7dtFymshjf/s400/IMG_1997.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411926572979017938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I like it. But it would be better as a t-shirt.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There is no reason to panic after losing this game in a shootout. But the reason to be concerned is the play of Anze Kopitar. Sure, he's had assists the last 2 games, but he is being overshadowed by Wayne Simmonds and Brad Richardson for christsakes. And some <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Fantasy-Southeast-keepers-time-to-bench-Anze-?urn=nhl,206553">renowned bloggers</a> are even suggesting it might be time to sit him for your fantasy team until he breaks out of this slump. Anze Kopitar is the player that drives this team and I don't care when Ryan Smyth is coming back... it's time for Kopitar to take the wheel.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOCWeUYCbOHcq9y3l0xNscJY3htfa6LQW_-aTQiT_dUEdiIKmY96XxYNRmkkdWRrUeeq3od3aN2LmBLJ6qaVzkzqb6fiJdg7G_NybbGrBs8izOvPUoNitZH3IaI8NgfYhXI7utMMY3YGK/s1600-h/Kopi+Bus.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOCWeUYCbOHcq9y3l0xNscJY3htfa6LQW_-aTQiT_dUEdiIKmY96XxYNRmkkdWRrUeeq3od3aN2LmBLJ6qaVzkzqb6fiJdg7G_NybbGrBs8izOvPUoNitZH3IaI8NgfYhXI7utMMY3YGK/s400/Kopi+Bus.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411951565416256706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The wheel of the team, Anze!. Not of the <a href="http://kings.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=-6&id=52260">Parking Spot shuttle</a>. </span><br /></div><br />Calgary on Monday at home, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> and I will be there. Is it just me or does it feel like the Kings are playing every day?<br /></div></div></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-4274312576607595322009-12-04T11:54:00.000-08:002009-12-05T19:01:41.531-08:00Winning UglyI think I've figured out why Ryan Smyth is taking an <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=2005">extra 2 weeks</a> to rehab his injury. He's pulling some serious Jedi Knight style-training for these young kids and forcing them to learn how to score without him. Honestly, after the hot start the Kings had in October and November, did you really think the Los Angeles Kings would be looking to this guy to pick up the December slack?!?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTi2IV3L0LQUN2EoNb1BMOGwWtWKdIDBKR3Bib8svH75XOkeYhjg-SkJsZnmnoXI2wxFDmOcg62PyVTrqNtTwDi3HqSRQy93iVkrt8MycM1BxUx431UQoUPQOWRJ2ci7o28PGtlCsCUqA/s1600-h/simmer+lean.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTi2IV3L0LQUN2EoNb1BMOGwWtWKdIDBKR3Bib8svH75XOkeYhjg-SkJsZnmnoXI2wxFDmOcg62PyVTrqNtTwDi3HqSRQy93iVkrt8MycM1BxUx431UQoUPQOWRJ2ci7o28PGtlCsCUqA/s400/simmer+lean.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411477726433601202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The guy on the right, not the guy on the left. </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kings 6</span>, Ottawa 3<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Wayne Simmonds is officially on fire. And Kings fans are loving it. We all fell in love with the play of Wayne Simmonds last season and talked non-stop about his potential. Well, now he is fulfilling it and he is the 2nd leading goal scorer on the Kings. How much do Kings fan love Wayne Simmonds? This much.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPNF_SwChkpkTQBqh5O9mEyD1hrrdMg5m1DmxeJFKL7tZLwHxdGUuqXekl_MiBEwEMbUV0_HICMbSkEBEDvYVhxqGQUKtE5NLqG9lQm-ZEWr_utq0vlZjK0YyZCpH0JpXWEzZVRu7KZmt/s1600-h/fan+club.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPNF_SwChkpkTQBqh5O9mEyD1hrrdMg5m1DmxeJFKL7tZLwHxdGUuqXekl_MiBEwEMbUV0_HICMbSkEBEDvYVhxqGQUKtE5NLqG9lQm-ZEWr_utq0vlZjK0YyZCpH0JpXWEzZVRu7KZmt/s400/fan+club.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411472042755914482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Come on Kings fans... you can do better than this. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I hated Brad Richardson last season. HATED. Even referred to him as the Brian Willsie of last seasons' team. But man, have I come around on the guy! Even before his recent scoring streak, this guy has impressed me with his strong play. It is obvious he knows he's been given a chance... and he's trying to make the most out of it... unlike that other guy... what's his name again?<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSBPKkBa1BRPSYDDh-WtW7HdAvkzPYZkxb25yybljs_BhLp3GQgznu3nWK0Hb6aI1kEEVZ_sstZCyc50q3BsiZmW5lp9X4xDtw2m_gjqNxKRaEs1TUkVjAyy3JvCRbX0FUsJc3tu3MIJ4/s1600-h/KK0015418H_600_20090306.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSBPKkBa1BRPSYDDh-WtW7HdAvkzPYZkxb25yybljs_BhLp3GQgznu3nWK0Hb6aI1kEEVZ_sstZCyc50q3BsiZmW5lp9X4xDtw2m_gjqNxKRaEs1TUkVjAyy3JvCRbX0FUsJc3tu3MIJ4/s400/KK0015418H_600_20090306.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411484879121615282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Teddy Purcell. Former Los Angeles Kings prospect.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">You don't believe this blogger when he says (over and over again) that Teddy Purcell's time in the big leagues is coming to an end? Well how about when <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=2061">the coach says it</a>?!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Of Purcell, Murray said, “Given the opportunity, he can score some goals. At least I’ve been told that.”</span></span><br /><br />That's called motivation, bitches. The same type of motivation NHL referees give to their favorite players.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6S_oOLi3uECAeXpJd90BwDUXQD-xFcloPk6imIbEu2_-g_PTleU09m0a7vQdS6ceItqnpV-BGKwP4LFLBeqJtOwZj9LeNETC9aztwy0lIZyrEcES3OunjD38MSMe7uHgb6vb41SNf_A5/s1600-h/ref+simmer.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6S_oOLi3uECAeXpJd90BwDUXQD-xFcloPk6imIbEu2_-g_PTleU09m0a7vQdS6ceItqnpV-BGKwP4LFLBeqJtOwZj9LeNETC9aztwy0lIZyrEcES3OunjD38MSMe7uHgb6vb41SNf_A5/s400/ref+simmer.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411477712005417458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >"Look, I know that fan club sign was lame.<br />But you can do this. You can score. Okay, buddy?"</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And what does uber-center Michal Handzus think about his little pal's recent scoring streak?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnQnbve9wTP5qs17Tr372mcgSdIOTThQEnBnn_mZmggyTKlzdtyNVwmuqIOAFI5pehE4h3PPrjN8k-1TesbSiWOoxB-tAqUjvd-H4F7N5_s2pVKy377DCRDuoHWkSCPTxFwcu0mCpk_2K/s1600-h/zeus+open.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnQnbve9wTP5qs17Tr372mcgSdIOTThQEnBnn_mZmggyTKlzdtyNVwmuqIOAFI5pehE4h3PPrjN8k-1TesbSiWOoxB-tAqUjvd-H4F7N5_s2pVKy377DCRDuoHWkSCPTxFwcu0mCpk_2K/s400/zeus+open.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411477854387785186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">No, actually he just thinks that the holiday packs<br />are a great gift this season for friends and family.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Also, the recent play of waiver wire pickup Randy Jones has been beyond stellar... some might even say <a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/2008/11/young-guns-1-vs-young-guns-2.html">Kyle Quincey-esque</a>. Randy Jones now has the highest average points per <a href="http://kwisp.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/randy-jones-leads-all-nhl-defensemen-in-points-per-60-minutes-pts60/">60 minutes </a>of any NHL defenseman that has played 10 games. That means he's been good. Oh, and Dean Lombardi gave up no assets to get him. I know RudyKelly's <a href="http://www.battleofcali.com/2009/11/12/1143068/kings-roofie-hurricanes-5-2">been tracking</a> how creepy Randy Jones looks physically... and I totally agree with him. But I'm starting to think that the ladies disagree.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFITwg_ZcI_S9gZ73b1-XzbSDecW5tYTLEz9Srt976sWlhrqBQkmuv2ncW9TNjUZJ8C-Xlk9wWqy6hLNnffAtSNQ6xOyETUfmH924UJDz9GPNra6KL6NoM1_yEKA-EyD-lVmpC3Qdi1zI/s1600-h/jones'+eye.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFITwg_ZcI_S9gZ73b1-XzbSDecW5tYTLEz9Srt976sWlhrqBQkmuv2ncW9TNjUZJ8C-Xlk9wWqy6hLNnffAtSNQ6xOyETUfmH924UJDz9GPNra6KL6NoM1_yEKA-EyD-lVmpC3Qdi1zI/s400/jones'+eye.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411476304706484770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">There is something very Freudian here... but I can't quite place it. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This was a game that in no way, shape or form did the Kings deserve to win. But that is what good teams can do... they win games they aren't supposed to win. But good teams also usually can score on back to back 5 on 3's.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjY5FyxR4R05Z0N4D4tD3iP2xq9gDB5xhTBlXomvDGfB-9IRmrw3zLYW7i5xVwqPfUPeal_GdIbDyBntPKB9uPtbDvHRomQXsnub1D0Vx3e7j-ytThMdks6NSyeTB-6ihSrLpiRh3fnk17/s1600-h/3+in+the+box.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjY5FyxR4R05Z0N4D4tD3iP2xq9gDB5xhTBlXomvDGfB-9IRmrw3zLYW7i5xVwqPfUPeal_GdIbDyBntPKB9uPtbDvHRomQXsnub1D0Vx3e7j-ytThMdks6NSyeTB-6ihSrLpiRh3fnk17/s400/3+in+the+box.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411472024037684322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Generally you should score when the opposing team has<br />this many guys in the box and there hasn't been a fight. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So now the Kings have won 3 in a row and people are back to being excited about them as a team. Even the epic hockey publication The Hockey News is putting a King on the front cover for the first time since the Gretzky Era.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1Z9O06QvBN21RcbL81nEHfne7xz5-RP1gYgycvwyWQ3NFH9K5JbBYaewBbg1QyUQrGNLKmQki0EDSCv0IVZbXE5HQTCaqZWtQPNL4tYD_mZVFAwvJdQbe0Vik-9KWDiizAUHp1xvJH9z/s1600-h/cover+boy.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1Z9O06QvBN21RcbL81nEHfne7xz5-RP1gYgycvwyWQ3NFH9K5JbBYaewBbg1QyUQrGNLKmQki0EDSCv0IVZbXE5HQTCaqZWtQPNL4tYD_mZVFAwvJdQbe0Vik-9KWDiizAUHp1xvJH9z/s400/cover+boy.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411472029219719298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This weeks feature story...</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">NHL players on 11 game scoreless streaks... and the fans who love them. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Anze Kopitar did look the best he has in a few games last night. But don't tell me that Kings Fan Nation didn't gasp when they saw this.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cHXvs5R40p8h2cFORko-g9dfKbHk2Qo4kFDnL8Rzmog_mIrrVbU-AD0PPHVwn247M5TIIu9KZU64FmFoe7FGY2NYTcgWEEOTVDbHfWXOANzcvEmEfMiVhsiAbD2Eekw7em9cJtqRBiEC/s1600-h/kopi+smash.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cHXvs5R40p8h2cFORko-g9dfKbHk2Qo4kFDnL8Rzmog_mIrrVbU-AD0PPHVwn247M5TIIu9KZU64FmFoe7FGY2NYTcgWEEOTVDbHfWXOANzcvEmEfMiVhsiAbD2Eekw7em9cJtqRBiEC/s400/kopi+smash.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411476317575224338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This usually doesn't end well. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But the point is everyone is excited about the way the Kings are playing now. EVERYONE. Drew Doughty is excited.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UXwN_LWH6XjZgsLP1eJk2PqMGWGHcLrGFzQ-c1RdxVRlwjyzpbgvKYGr1wzmEq0ctxRkOzpUY97nxBz9dUtTmys2wMLQhhGhY-kEs3VV464Tj__cD1tQHe2zkL90G27pESlwsfRsLKk0/s1600-h/do+face.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UXwN_LWH6XjZgsLP1eJk2PqMGWGHcLrGFzQ-c1RdxVRlwjyzpbgvKYGr1wzmEq0ctxRkOzpUY97nxBz9dUtTmys2wMLQhhGhY-kEs3VV464Tj__cD1tQHe2zkL90G27pESlwsfRsLKk0/s400/do+face.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411472035969595890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Doughty's O-face. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Heidi Androl is excited.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgjB_wg0bEFyMDRA_QS_IGszwMDhI2XPRrIrOnb-M1_NJRSVbyvr9bjr0fEWu8vD6BuMgo4vBeRrf9rAf1XSZ8_dNbkjn8yRrK8rpt11Q1TipZbvcjmewcv7f0e0UUfsc23oGZG2pmMrm/s1600-h/heidi+on+ice.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgjB_wg0bEFyMDRA_QS_IGszwMDhI2XPRrIrOnb-M1_NJRSVbyvr9bjr0fEWu8vD6BuMgo4vBeRrf9rAf1XSZ8_dNbkjn8yRrK8rpt11Q1TipZbvcjmewcv7f0e0UUfsc23oGZG2pmMrm/s400/heidi+on+ice.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411472044703031554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The coolest part is she is wearing hockey skates. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Even Waldo is excited.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KSf8z9pggTAHy8UDWCmcQyBU9TvsttOANoPFUxiElXv-BfzpIh9SAVkPFrEqFNbw07dx2vWwtwtswE_onjLw09u9CP6__aP6IeBvecZ5HUFVTpTi6qIswkVNW_SMV0lAsQA_caCMqBuQ/s1600-h/where's+harrold%3F.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KSf8z9pggTAHy8UDWCmcQyBU9TvsttOANoPFUxiElXv-BfzpIh9SAVkPFrEqFNbw07dx2vWwtwtswE_onjLw09u9CP6__aP6IeBvecZ5HUFVTpTi6qIswkVNW_SMV0lAsQA_caCMqBuQ/s400/where's+harrold%3F.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411477744533593666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I suggest that Peter Harrold's new nickname is "Waldo."<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">And the entire nation of Taiwan is excited.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIEApTJ1FTf7J5TEAVJm6pJ53vzrXVZ1D9Y3_rM7G43AaEYjaWm6OYKmC-fT9r50slwYsg5kIf4-tbk_3bNHhRqPdXepDldF1OaVdHvXPvwdcdRGAspw-iLcSK3ndZR_jVUXAaU6Nn5Kg/s1600-h/tawain.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIEApTJ1FTf7J5TEAVJm6pJ53vzrXVZ1D9Y3_rM7G43AaEYjaWm6OYKmC-fT9r50slwYsg5kIf4-tbk_3bNHhRqPdXepDldF1OaVdHvXPvwdcdRGAspw-iLcSK3ndZR_jVUXAaU6Nn5Kg/s400/tawain.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411477738098559410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Wait... what?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">That's right. The Kings unveiled their latest corporate sponsor last night... the Taiwanese Tourist Board! Now this is a perfect relationship. I can't tell you HOW many times <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> and I have sat up in our seats and said "when are we going to take our ladies to Taiwan?" Now... we have no excuse. You win again, Kings Marketing Department!<br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaeu_bHUReM3lYFwmYefXX3C-8TtE3EOXVXXWmm9IlhRLza4eyf_2L8bKXi-s8LbxjbaEmsjtX82mse6ynHVfNcAYPns0Yqw_22sw88Mm8YPmH_G_zAqD9bIznGt40ZUA7f_wTU7dmFoM/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaeu_bHUReM3lYFwmYefXX3C-8TtE3EOXVXXWmm9IlhRLza4eyf_2L8bKXi-s8LbxjbaEmsjtX82mse6ynHVfNcAYPns0Yqw_22sw88Mm8YPmH_G_zAqD9bIznGt40ZUA7f_wTU7dmFoM/s400/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411503422281769954" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">We will be there in person tomorrow against Andy Murray and the St. Louis Blues. And it's Luc Robitaille Bobble Head night (or day since the game is at 1pm). Because there is not better way to honor the NHL's all-time leader in scoring by a left wing and a man who netted 557 goals as a member of the Los Angeles Kings... than with a novelty toy.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-49559639279926401702009-12-02T08:06:00.000-08:002009-12-02T09:07:27.328-08:00Toasted SubIt's Game One of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Subway Freeway Face-Off™</span> between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks... and boy this game did not disappoint. When the Kings want to show the Ducks just how much they've improved this season... what do you do? You send in Brad Richardson, Randy Jones and Scott Parse to finish the job. That's what you do. Just look at how excited Dustin Brown gets about secondary scoring.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8Q4V0ttFy-kCXsxjR3tXVow7OkBSIZGAwQljuZCaHZL6vWcCa_1c6gk3qfQwvggEC_zH8nwok_P6jk6Y4DhxcKvoVaIDRl1wZuF7uYWAdwTSAcfiRXXbS0cCH0V4XG6AK-Cnr9YWr4zA/s1600-h/brown+suit.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8Q4V0ttFy-kCXsxjR3tXVow7OkBSIZGAwQljuZCaHZL6vWcCa_1c6gk3qfQwvggEC_zH8nwok_P6jk6Y4DhxcKvoVaIDRl1wZuF7uYWAdwTSAcfiRXXbS0cCH0V4XG6AK-Cnr9YWr4zA/s400/brown+suit.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410671461139076546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I used to score goals too. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kings 4</span>, Ducks 3, Subway 1<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The line of Wayne Simmonds, Michal Handzus and Scott Parse are carrying this team right now. Sure, Justin Williams had a nice goal tonight but Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Alexander Frolov have been MIA. How MIA you ask?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorJv8Kligqd1WbEZbb86yeqmHs70O4pGrVY2lyIOjo8xyOvImBkDEbjBKQpYyICjL2Atc58wyNToWv4gIv1mqavYT8L6ZPpYxsgB8eI92xAqz313hcjuh_tlocBMh1hF47xldE5B6f7M4/s1600-h/drought.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorJv8Kligqd1WbEZbb86yeqmHs70O4pGrVY2lyIOjo8xyOvImBkDEbjBKQpYyICjL2Atc58wyNToWv4gIv1mqavYT8L6ZPpYxsgB8eI92xAqz313hcjuh_tlocBMh1hF47xldE5B6f7M4/s400/drought.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410671485746667698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This MIA.<br /></span></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is probably a great thing for the Kings overall. With Ryan Smyth back on the ice skating in practice, Coach Murray has simply told his star players to take a few games off and have the team work on its secondary scoring.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4InZ4-0PnBlYrhnAmn5Lu3-cry5jiZOIKRX2HEpzBbz_MAh_985NLTDlcN9g4jqkWnvq523qlvnwkaX9ZXu7XMyCDYzWzBv9jREDN6Xe0cB68aNd5AAztZgLcd-1CRjbFtNruOa2n5cB/s1600-h/water+boy.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4InZ4-0PnBlYrhnAmn5Lu3-cry5jiZOIKRX2HEpzBbz_MAh_985NLTDlcN9g4jqkWnvq523qlvnwkaX9ZXu7XMyCDYzWzBv9jREDN6Xe0cB68aNd5AAztZgLcd-1CRjbFtNruOa2n5cB/s400/water+boy.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410672486096261954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">"Frolly, water please."<br />"Frolly, water please!!"<br />"When you are leading the team in scoring,<br />then I'll get you water. But until then, Frolly get me water!"<br /></span></div><br />The Kings unusual policy of <a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/2009/11/blame-canada.html">torturing</a> their young prospects reared its ugly head again tonight, as Half-Jew and All-Energy Brandon Segal <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=1949">went missing</a> after the first period. I have a feeling the players in Manchester are cutting the phone lines around the office for fear of getting called up to the NHL. But what was the most important thing we learned tonight about the Anaheim-Los Angeles rivalry?<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJY6-Hyn_uxrPH-CquA_ug6HFlsKqF8dBiLg5BD8zQEov4n5K3IlnbHJND66QnW9DiRY2t8-jlgA9rKm1p_K3Cs6I8Wj2vwvMXgOicB1QG0TMGPXBCBNgP7z-YfemPcYkkAwXoeeDcV1FA/s1600-h/fans.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJY6-Hyn_uxrPH-CquA_ug6HFlsKqF8dBiLg5BD8zQEov4n5K3IlnbHJND66QnW9DiRY2t8-jlgA9rKm1p_K3Cs6I8Wj2vwvMXgOicB1QG0TMGPXBCBNgP7z-YfemPcYkkAwXoeeDcV1FA/s400/fans.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410676777849113282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">People from LA are still better looking than people from Orange County. </span><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Okay, I'll admit it. When the <span style="font-style: italic;">Subway Freeway Face-Off™</span> logo appeared on my HD television screen, I liked it better than I did earlier in the day.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2f6DysY2BujhewX1IXgLfTIga9QGbLuk_eGDWRpcwwKMhSrUbNeuACP07Bjdaak3SeXCxbfl6NAx5ERZ4ss4W_D0JZojqT0VNypQV-Ju7_iL4DGAi8u2UG1DXPBDUdY_yc88qgpU4D6P/s1600-h/subway+logo.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2f6DysY2BujhewX1IXgLfTIga9QGbLuk_eGDWRpcwwKMhSrUbNeuACP07Bjdaak3SeXCxbfl6NAx5ERZ4ss4W_D0JZojqT0VNypQV-Ju7_iL4DGAi8u2UG1DXPBDUdY_yc88qgpU4D6P/s400/subway+logo.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410672472605880098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Yes, that dude on the right is wearing a "Parros Nation" t-shirt. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But when the logo is shrunk down... it truly becomes a disaster.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuqzyymPeBXAhppvcpMDcnCvgE8C3aTVY4cwxTM8rCzkhpr9hKMoCue5yI7ec8EVRBsgAOI2HZuNuLPzdBUTr6WDbS5lKJOtqWM53qENHuuHgMgs_xwmTnBFC_gziA8103RNISXOWR8Y0/s1600-h/small+logo.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuqzyymPeBXAhppvcpMDcnCvgE8C3aTVY4cwxTM8rCzkhpr9hKMoCue5yI7ec8EVRBsgAOI2HZuNuLPzdBUTr6WDbS5lKJOtqWM53qENHuuHgMgs_xwmTnBFC_gziA8103RNISXOWR8Y0/s400/small+logo.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410672141573641410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Yeah, that reads <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> well.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">It must have been Intern day at Fox Sports Prime Ticket HD because not only was the camera action on the game way zoomed out... the on-air graphics had a very.... unusual feel to them. For instance, when the announcers wanted to talk about the great amount of young stars between the two teams playing tonight, this graphic lit up my HD screen.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmHfjbh2W4eevyJwCbiCoC4EmBXwvJhQIlM2_e1NG8uHeuTfNfccY3hq892FZ0LlOBoeOOOMUdn-FfbVrvuE6e6uyf_uShQQ8l3m_IWmU6JW4zpQk1Tk5QqmnFd_-f0lJ2m4GyMeDuHb9/s1600-h/young+stars+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmHfjbh2W4eevyJwCbiCoC4EmBXwvJhQIlM2_e1NG8uHeuTfNfccY3hq892FZ0LlOBoeOOOMUdn-FfbVrvuE6e6uyf_uShQQ8l3m_IWmU6JW4zpQk1Tk5QqmnFd_-f0lJ2m4GyMeDuHb9/s400/young+stars+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410672489563313058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh.. it's the lesser known observatory in Los Angeles, the Young Stars Observatory. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then, this thing appeared...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iWMhFGQcY7ji9EOb11oR9ohGhC-LwxtC0QCZ6GNbYi50zZALTiiQg-B2XGpmHgyJx5q9jYtfulakCfOd0hdiDAth7xfwR42UzIlzFK_N8ZA3jb1uWyAHRMUS0AdfUCkQmh6CPi-7gt4q/s1600-h/young+stars+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iWMhFGQcY7ji9EOb11oR9ohGhC-LwxtC0QCZ6GNbYi50zZALTiiQg-B2XGpmHgyJx5q9jYtfulakCfOd0hdiDAth7xfwR42UzIlzFK_N8ZA3jb1uWyAHRMUS0AdfUCkQmh6CPi-7gt4q/s400/young+stars+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410672498648371346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh... I get it... they are all stars... <span style="font-style: italic;">young</span> stars! Very clever, Prime Ticket!</span><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And then... the piéce de résistance... all these young stars... formed a constellation!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7UuVNvi9O19PSVqGpexe8uYIplfL-og9rSzSezN8uZz0s3ELsNGNSM2By4H0xvLxjwhCVzl0CgdyKCnpVTZaypO6971RvrXBWqgzV_E6hpvG92f6so63W7ERy6GSI1Lds6INQUzrtx-n/s1600-h/young+stars+3.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7UuVNvi9O19PSVqGpexe8uYIplfL-og9rSzSezN8uZz0s3ELsNGNSM2By4H0xvLxjwhCVzl0CgdyKCnpVTZaypO6971RvrXBWqgzV_E6hpvG92f6so63W7ERy6GSI1Lds6INQUzrtx-n/s400/young+stars+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410672501898886722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">If they really wanted to go for it, they would have had<br />Wilco's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcMsB3mYPMs">California Stars</a>" playing in the background. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In between periods, <a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/2009/01/shoot-glass.html">John Ahlers and Brian Hayward</a> talked about all the news that was going on in the NHL. And some intern got to bust out his <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/agabot/macadoodle%20pics/PrintShop.jpg">PrintShop</a> skills on live television.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYtMC5GbQMGPh2SwKYRf4S5tjiZ9yZQ71sgOrAAesb2erexFbiPtVpyS-PUzJ7exxcdbV4LceZmGtr0y1YXGH8XDEws4nRUN5OctUnjiQ_1GyhyphenhyphenUCM9CEr7FLPK11uIUagV3JSJGSvFEf/s1600-h/sports+clips.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYtMC5GbQMGPh2SwKYRf4S5tjiZ9yZQ71sgOrAAesb2erexFbiPtVpyS-PUzJ7exxcdbV4LceZmGtr0y1YXGH8XDEws4nRUN5OctUnjiQ_1GyhyphenhyphenUCM9CEr7FLPK11uIUagV3JSJGSvFEf/s400/sports+clips.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410679398389414642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Really? This is what their production team came up with?<br />Was it a last minute decision to do this segment?<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">And then Prime Ticket HD decided to showcase the 3 year history of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Subway Freeway Face-Off™</span>... as if it started in the early 1990's on ESPN2...<br /><br /></div></div></div></div><h3 class="r"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFcc_ZcFu8rXWx_OLYTr-S1jZNnxU0lVX3gpx2ByewnCap841o5e8YrkkqQTOtMR8iBBn02K8wtzx3btDfaBE630CD3Fe22g6Gb4opCf6OZrW29sr3rjx7uKIainTwSuMRpFaGOZlTq69/s1600-h/history+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFcc_ZcFu8rXWx_OLYTr-S1jZNnxU0lVX3gpx2ByewnCap841o5e8YrkkqQTOtMR8iBBn02K8wtzx3btDfaBE630CD3Fe22g6Gb4opCf6OZrW29sr3rjx7uKIainTwSuMRpFaGOZlTq69/s400/history+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410671501008132034" border="0" /></a></h3></div></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp5SujOcDeYJr9fT5J_fiele6_CB5SJAJWO1ECaIiHneW5IQ7KzwoW5Vt5h5Ii_Q8hRuHfnBtNdurOLiuYHfxekJLnjrL0qikK-rqG_ggZy2rGz3TrBdKz6T0dlD0Nfn5HncpwDbNhtIJ/s1600-h/history+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp5SujOcDeYJr9fT5J_fiele6_CB5SJAJWO1ECaIiHneW5IQ7KzwoW5Vt5h5Ii_Q8hRuHfnBtNdurOLiuYHfxekJLnjrL0qikK-rqG_ggZy2rGz3TrBdKz6T0dlD0Nfn5HncpwDbNhtIJ/s400/history+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410672125135771554" border="0" /></a></div></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLt0S5NVmEgSvKfEm7KBaF1jDpCU87K7aedcfgtvvlBVAGOO27omovlL_iVOvA62xwNHoGVIOfgv_udRFfUgMy4rlQIUgpF7D0pGtqoqbu14zTlPzRhnanKIWpRaClLcTXHbICgC_Br0e/s1600-h/history+3.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLt0S5NVmEgSvKfEm7KBaF1jDpCU87K7aedcfgtvvlBVAGOO27omovlL_iVOvA62xwNHoGVIOfgv_udRFfUgMy4rlQIUgpF7D0pGtqoqbu14zTlPzRhnanKIWpRaClLcTXHbICgC_Br0e/s400/history+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410672128734341778" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div>And don't assume that Subway isn't the only fast food chain in bed with the Anaheim Ducks... their penalty kill is sponsored by one of the finest Mexican restaurants in all of Southern California!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIt0Uozih20doIukJNWTjARszOknk66YyByE5Y3EJoTRN8FWatPxWg7H3z4tI1e9MFEa14okxvKVd6SvHHaR2DwzZpfkeOcxAhIbSOV2reXEefUnxI_PbpyT4X9THgum65yFsxq_XdN9b/s1600-h/del+taco+bold.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIt0Uozih20doIukJNWTjARszOknk66YyByE5Y3EJoTRN8FWatPxWg7H3z4tI1e9MFEa14okxvKVd6SvHHaR2DwzZpfkeOcxAhIbSOV2reXEefUnxI_PbpyT4X9THgum65yFsxq_XdN9b/s400/del+taco+bold.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410671473210907266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Del Taco! The bold sponsor of the penalty kill!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">How does one work on being bold during practice?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But the producers saved the most-telling on-screen graphic for last... as they outlined the playoff history of these 2 clubs...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYtfGDZuSuOdhenb2capwfQukmMWwIn_JtEgwdZxpQKE9r3-GUafnkzgwZl9-xYZPePA_piFTq1JJuKzmEZa3oWbnjaWpcG6QUlyk_Ez47xgiijZqxC-NJdd2hHxxKwvFPFBbfU05lTcr/s1600-h/playoffs.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYtfGDZuSuOdhenb2capwfQukmMWwIn_JtEgwdZxpQKE9r3-GUafnkzgwZl9-xYZPePA_piFTq1JJuKzmEZa3oWbnjaWpcG6QUlyk_Ez47xgiijZqxC-NJdd2hHxxKwvFPFBbfU05lTcr/s400/playoffs.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410672137235154050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Well, I don't think this one is all that particularly funny. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">In fact, it's kind of mean.</span><br /></div></div></div><br />The Kings are 10 points up on the Anaheim Ducks and I couldn't be happier. Ottawa comes into Staples Center on Thursday after being beaten up by the San Jose Sharks last night. It's going to be so great to see Dany Heatley play, since being in the Pacific Division you only really get one chance a year to see him skate. Oh... <a href="http://www.fearthefin.com/2009/9/12/1027403/doug-wilson-does-it-again-dany">what's that</a>?Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-70187083643080830882009-12-01T10:54:00.000-08:002009-12-01T11:59:47.883-08:00Subway. Sub what? Sub why?Remember how frumpy and unattractive reality star Kate Gosselin was when she first started appearing on television?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uBDxJgvMUb-NsULo3U-qE6awjby_K9jMPt8JUXAK2yJdyINWOYSU91Wi-2s8bOVUgylGG0cEyS-V9TrHg-Rg4qfDp4ybrDGKkxh5tndCiYN0UetDUQitJSSoQDronX6m8-fT5XDa50tt/s1600/kate-gosselin-before_after.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uBDxJgvMUb-NsULo3U-qE6awjby_K9jMPt8JUXAK2yJdyINWOYSU91Wi-2s8bOVUgylGG0cEyS-V9TrHg-Rg4qfDp4ybrDGKkxh5tndCiYN0UetDUQitJSSoQDronX6m8-fT5XDa50tt/s400/kate-gosselin-before_after.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410350165670302178" border="0" /></a><br />Well, eventually she got a stylist. And it did wonders for her. I'm thinking it's about time the Los Angeles Kings got a stylist. Sure they've had the makeover wonders of Dean Lombardi for the past few years... and he's taken the Los Angeles Kings from being frumpy and unattractive to being one of the most <a href="http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/looking_west1/">sought after</a> young starlets in all of the NHL. But just when you think the Los Angeles Kings have it all together and full understand their "brand"... they go and do something <a href="http://kings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=508029">like this</a>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOwDyBspIGXB6m3RiOWrqqMEN5ziPePcxZ2mlGUdzlXSaDkJowJ9WbfKeYAIOk2c8vC6B8g2rCXtpRc71qA8D5UY31-kCkiFxOwn0dvz1FXz34z7Ap10hMOaqjE9dp7RwQ9e92AjdiSxD/s1600/ff_09_subway.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOwDyBspIGXB6m3RiOWrqqMEN5ziPePcxZ2mlGUdzlXSaDkJowJ9WbfKeYAIOk2c8vC6B8g2rCXtpRc71qA8D5UY31-kCkiFxOwn0dvz1FXz34z7Ap10hMOaqjE9dp7RwQ9e92AjdiSxD/s400/ff_09_subway.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410343852014925234" border="0" /></a><br />Subway has come on as the corporate sponsor for the <a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/2008/10/freeway-fizzle.html">made-up</a> "<span style="font-style: italic;">Freeway Face-Off</span>" crosstown rivalry between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks. It's bad enough that they have been trying to brand this divisional matchup for 2 years... but now... they've made it even more confusing for fans. You can't take the subway from Los Angeles to Anaheim. You can barely take the subway anywhere in Los Angeles that you need to go. You have to take the Freeway. That's just how it is here. If this were the Yankees-Mets crosstown rivalry and Subway stepped into being a corporate sponsor... then you have genius synergy marketing. I feel like Toyota missed out big time on sponsoring this one. Or even the Los Angeles<em></em> County Metropolitan Transportation Authority could have stepped up. The "<span style="font-style: italic;">Metro Freeway Face-Off! Brought to you by the 405! Come check out our new lanes!</span>"<br /><br />A before and after of the "Freeway Face-Off" logo:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHCNjh81mesI6IQlN086KkJTrFrHk54F2kVJHIulqdbQkJqb8CnsaIaZnWuTCRCzc2atIssgSvxUl0rfl03ByEkgmYOAlw3_AasJJXxLIfs7Xqbgqt-4Duj_MCAnKflpzrGZfhOgHqxsT/s1600/Freeway+Faceoff+logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHCNjh81mesI6IQlN086KkJTrFrHk54F2kVJHIulqdbQkJqb8CnsaIaZnWuTCRCzc2atIssgSvxUl0rfl03ByEkgmYOAlw3_AasJJXxLIfs7Xqbgqt-4Duj_MCAnKflpzrGZfhOgHqxsT/s400/Freeway+Faceoff+logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410346742726227154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Old.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOwDyBspIGXB6m3RiOWrqqMEN5ziPePcxZ2mlGUdzlXSaDkJowJ9WbfKeYAIOk2c8vC6B8g2rCXtpRc71qA8D5UY31-kCkiFxOwn0dvz1FXz34z7Ap10hMOaqjE9dp7RwQ9e92AjdiSxD/s1600/ff_09_subway.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOwDyBspIGXB6m3RiOWrqqMEN5ziPePcxZ2mlGUdzlXSaDkJowJ9WbfKeYAIOk2c8vC6B8g2rCXtpRc71qA8D5UY31-kCkiFxOwn0dvz1FXz34z7Ap10hMOaqjE9dp7RwQ9e92AjdiSxD/s400/ff_09_subway.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410343852014925234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">New. </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span>, the <span style="font-style: italic;">VP of Design and Acquisitions for The Royal Half</span>, commented to me this morning... "that design is god awful and the Subway logo is bigger than the team logos." You would also think that maybe Subway would have a presence at Staples Center in order to sponsor this rivalry... but sadly there is no way to get a delicious Italian BMT sub anywhere in the arena during the game. In fact the closest Subway to Staples is 4 blocks away. Unless you are talking about the Metro Blue Link Subway stop, which is only 2 blocks away... see I'm confused! All this talk about playing the Ducks just makes me realize how inefficient our public transportation is in Los Angeles! Maybe the Kings should have gone with "<span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/2009/10/one-down.html">The Budweiser Lounge's Fish Taco</a> Freeway Face-Off.</span>"<br /><br />Just like most of Hollywood... the Kings have turned from a fresh-faced young teen star...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiyXodY7uUgpBAxtKOy7zWlDQspJxlxkk7hLMrLhZqYjeVdSNqBspPSKm3wuMbTldrpPiIA_nMgE9sn1wLc90PzzsxZ77qpy8saZPu_Rx3MKYIXSQn7l-XjOdw5NwPxj50BXZEhxomRtP/s1600/60778_video-134295-access-archives-lindsay-lohan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiyXodY7uUgpBAxtKOy7zWlDQspJxlxkk7hLMrLhZqYjeVdSNqBspPSKm3wuMbTldrpPiIA_nMgE9sn1wLc90PzzsxZ77qpy8saZPu_Rx3MKYIXSQn7l-XjOdw5NwPxj50BXZEhxomRtP/s400/60778_video-134295-access-archives-lindsay-lohan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410354966819163986" border="0" /></a><br />Into a raging force that is getting a ton of attention...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG689T14W1SohtverU6yUvEQ7j3sWV1ImixiC9FxYFU0fKIrUsCF-w_AzQ724_rJvcqVmxsXidMFoWroM6OFUa2ZOa7V0rZci9Qd3yPNtU7BUoyCUX0nK4rovzRGFuzkqt5Ahu_qJblrvg/s1600/lindsay-lohan-drunk-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG689T14W1SohtverU6yUvEQ7j3sWV1ImixiC9FxYFU0fKIrUsCF-w_AzQ724_rJvcqVmxsXidMFoWroM6OFUa2ZOa7V0rZci9Qd3yPNtU7BUoyCUX0nK4rovzRGFuzkqt5Ahu_qJblrvg/s400/lindsay-lohan-drunk-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410354970064534226" border="0" /></a><br />Tonight, against the Anaheim Ducks in the first "<span style="font-style: italic;">Subway™ Freeway Face-Off</span>" of the NHL season, the Kings will look to shake loose from their annoying cousin from Orange County. This season, since the Ducks have struggled from the start, the Kings need to win these games to further distance itself from the always dangerous Ducks team. I almost feel like the Ducks just started out this season poorly so they could make it interesting. And then, after the Olympic Break, all of their amazing players will say "okay, now let's do this for real" and they will shoot up past everyone in the Pacific.<br /><br />I may not be happy with the Kings decisions in terms of corporate partners... but I've definitely approved of their Hollywood makeover so far. I just hope they don't end up as annoying as this guy:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLc9btu5oM_pvxNIB4mjVDIApoHjTxVyc3FhkaBJ6tAoS4lA30l4f3jP9OKZEG4wurW3xZUGVihhyphenhyphenhXyr8xVtF-V3XXTs4BLkl2fBITZq4kaJ_x__MEeUqZBB4zOvhbz4c1cn4Kz9GfpnR/s1600/jon-gosselin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLc9btu5oM_pvxNIB4mjVDIApoHjTxVyc3FhkaBJ6tAoS4lA30l4f3jP9OKZEG4wurW3xZUGVihhyphenhyphenhXyr8xVtF-V3XXTs4BLkl2fBITZq4kaJ_x__MEeUqZBB4zOvhbz4c1cn4Kz9GfpnR/s400/jon-gosselin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410350172762679506" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-333624425474849802009-11-29T11:55:00.000-08:002009-11-29T14:04:24.069-08:00A Family AffairNow that's more like it! This was one of the best games I've seen in person this season and if the Los Angeles Kings can continue to play at this level until Ryan Smyth comes back... then the team will be alright. Sure, the Chicago Blackhawks played the day before and were at the end of a long road trip... but for this game... the Kings were playing Coach Murray style hockey. Jon Quick has now had a couple consistent games in a row and then this guy is picking up the slack for Anze Kopitar.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFoQJg1WizZy-CEMBDwQTfEMIKFi7mC4YPuOz8C77ARXf0mgX8yENldddgRsqhI4oYQYPlktiEfUtS8w11musr8Slap_XsY01RkLO-0Ic5915HqQ01fFxHeRL48xaNbEq2PzWm8xIvnzI/s1600/9a590d9441a6f76a5ad8147107fb00ca-getty-90981299hh005_chicago_black.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFoQJg1WizZy-CEMBDwQTfEMIKFi7mC4YPuOz8C77ARXf0mgX8yENldddgRsqhI4oYQYPlktiEfUtS8w11musr8Slap_XsY01RkLO-0Ic5915HqQ01fFxHeRL48xaNbEq2PzWm8xIvnzI/s400/9a590d9441a6f76a5ad8147107fb00ca-getty-90981299hh005_chicago_black.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409617453051294882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">They call me Wayne for a reason, bitches!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kings 2</span>, Blackhawks 1<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Everyone has been <a href="http://www.secondcityhockey.com/2009/11/26/1174686/mark-it-eight-dude-blackhawks">talking</a> such <a href="http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/this_is_chicagos_year/">great</a> things about the Chicago Blackhawks... and how they are the best team in the West right now after crushing San Jose 7-2. But coming into this game the Blackhawks only had 2 more wins than the Kings. (Yes, yes, I know the Blackhawks have played 2 less games... details, details) There were quite a few fans representing Chicago at the game tonight but they were much less vocal than any group of fans that have come into the Staples Center this season.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-ge0b1bAjLHbk8ODJ8sbdJSMUpbqwvD-1sO3c7vZs1a1FS6qvhX_Aqo1CQG9MQAC-snun-s47O8bMKFc9jjRHWQZh2SPgx-n28WJZcKQenEFW2Lg6eXXhAeAf9U4VQl-QFyIh80POpHM/s1600/IMG_1966.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-ge0b1bAjLHbk8ODJ8sbdJSMUpbqwvD-1sO3c7vZs1a1FS6qvhX_Aqo1CQG9MQAC-snun-s47O8bMKFc9jjRHWQZh2SPgx-n28WJZcKQenEFW2Lg6eXXhAeAf9U4VQl-QFyIh80POpHM/s400/IMG_1966.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409618303241300306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Wow, <a href="http://hockeyism.com/2009/11/tyler-arnason-a-look-back/">Arnason</a> had 20 goals as rookie. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Now he's in the KHL.</span><br /></div><br />At least Kings fans don't make such irresponsible choices with their $300 personalized jerseys.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7FDugFSCFinjRdN0K3swpFCYko5MRQSeM_SdFZ8W918OtWyXTMndyCu7JoHvtckj2UH_8Uue94yHxQKLmorNZm7B4eBZ-tn4mORd7tNMLS-HF_NoAs2woWrsEqe790OAUZAWhzp9WqS8/s1600/IMG_1962.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7FDugFSCFinjRdN0K3swpFCYko5MRQSeM_SdFZ8W918OtWyXTMndyCu7JoHvtckj2UH_8Uue94yHxQKLmorNZm7B4eBZ-tn4mORd7tNMLS-HF_NoAs2woWrsEqe790OAUZAWhzp9WqS8/s400/IMG_1962.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409617479648883602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Dude... too soon. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After spending Thanksgiving playing with my niece and nephew, I think I finally understand the Kings' difficulty with Alexander Frolov. He is the square peg... and Coach Murray is trying to fit him into the triangle, the circle and the rectangle... and Coach Murray doesn't really seem to have a square for him to fit into.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQtG6GDMsaqxAI0-puRkT7jboOcYude6mFxdV_sKjTwJIIT5uTQAWA96elcokEHoL9TwEBNBTyLqcDdvviNv_lyu0KcRHMxEJGD9GHIyI152jbWQszBDTDfjcDrqS27Ok1whuIC9iF52D/s1600/42-15986119.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQtG6GDMsaqxAI0-puRkT7jboOcYude6mFxdV_sKjTwJIIT5uTQAWA96elcokEHoL9TwEBNBTyLqcDdvviNv_lyu0KcRHMxEJGD9GHIyI152jbWQszBDTDfjcDrqS27Ok1whuIC9iF52D/s400/42-15986119.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409622335670360210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A rare glimpse inside the Kings coaches room. </span><br /></div><br />I really like the way Michal Handzus, Wayne Simmonds and Scott Parse are playing together. If Smyth was back on the 1st line... Kings fans would be praising Wayne Simmonds great secondary scoring instead of the primary scoring he's been doing for the team. Jarret Stoll and Dustin Brown are basically soulmates out there... and it pains me to say it... because I hated him so much last year... but at this point, I'd rather see Brad Richardson skate with those 2 instead of Teddy Purcell. Purcell is so non-existent out there right now and casual fans in the crowd are starting to scream "do something Purcell!" more and more. There has been a <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=1867">lot of talk</a> lately about Matt Moulson's <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2009/11/16/1160711/islanders-4-bruins-1-honk-if-you">explosion</a> on the Long Island scene... and how the Kings may have given up on him too early. I don't think anyone is really ready to give up on Purcell... but how much longer are Dean Lombardi and Coach Murray going to wait for this guy to do something?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvDpvko4_8m1W5-cUbMiryH3-qr67mQEEXdlI4UAtTGJSQq0IedW1xfTEi4F45OeCzucBxBhIKriR8vGDa5J9pcCbx7y8Rrv-nFt7WIelqpBf2gziiMoA-KjrArBwbyGEdGIC3q7FQZXg/s1600/bd2aecd5c641efc8b82fff27b5adbbcd-getty-90981299hh011_chicago_black.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvDpvko4_8m1W5-cUbMiryH3-qr67mQEEXdlI4UAtTGJSQq0IedW1xfTEi4F45OeCzucBxBhIKriR8vGDa5J9pcCbx7y8Rrv-nFt7WIelqpBf2gziiMoA-KjrArBwbyGEdGIC3q7FQZXg/s400/bd2aecd5c641efc8b82fff27b5adbbcd-getty-90981299hh011_chicago_black.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409617457969550130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"How cool are those new Jesse James clothes, man!"</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Tonight was the special unveiling of the <a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/2009/11/lifestyle-choice.html">Jesse James line</a> of Kings Specific Lifestyle clothing. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> and I checked them out during the intermission... and we were not impressed. Besides the obvious douchery of the designs... the clothes themselves felt cheap and the printing of the logos was pretty poor quality. Oh and Kings Marketing Department... if you are trying to get me to buy some new clothing line... covering up the Ice Crew isn't the best way to get your point across.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintkS0F1dSL4-rqSCTPh0vV4f2cP3V6irmAvPx1GiQEOwyi23JgcWi9cudaDyMCW4qS4ruv9w7Kr-Iqw8QFUA-Z-Kh4kujihyphenhyphenlPTq-gkCw14phz03UHIdDUsz4uXEuRcAVmxkVTqPA5g7b/s1600/IMG_1967.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintkS0F1dSL4-rqSCTPh0vV4f2cP3V6irmAvPx1GiQEOwyi23JgcWi9cudaDyMCW4qS4ruv9w7Kr-Iqw8QFUA-Z-Kh4kujihyphenhyphenlPTq-gkCw14phz03UHIdDUsz4uXEuRcAVmxkVTqPA5g7b/s400/IMG_1967.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409618313715861794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I liked it better when they were half naked.<br /><br /></span></div>But the Kings Marketing department did update the much beloved Cartman from South Park cartoon that has him trash talking the opposing team. Cartman loves the 3rd jersey!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvlc7Iknq21aTs56KCY5qmKh-VilFUpivfOfjdrITQUEwIKdL0tQqXSQUNp7o4S_JesD8oTbklgqq7VntkknkEV90pQOTN_VDIgiXnQdFuP4ARv7CWTFpK9aGwSgWUjj30E7hqR_3Las-/s1600/IMG_1970.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvlc7Iknq21aTs56KCY5qmKh-VilFUpivfOfjdrITQUEwIKdL0tQqXSQUNp7o4S_JesD8oTbklgqq7VntkknkEV90pQOTN_VDIgiXnQdFuP4ARv7CWTFpK9aGwSgWUjj30E7hqR_3Las-/s400/IMG_1970.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409618316462028930" border="0" /></a><br />I got a call that a couple of our friends were at the game as well, and they invited us to come sit with them in Section 105. Being the dedicated fans that we are... we decided to sit with them during the 2nd period... since the Kings were shooting at that end. The seats were actually really nice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiobq7ABPwrqo_MDC9h1dN1UieaLsIfvwwek7at1AuS1pPHmA49hcBi1GUvKgrwKy_4lG2zbgwl4iVvhyBcJJTUgtPToUZApDGR_3n3qa85EAtRQpmclgFiMc6c5n21c6A1UD1leTksElq/s1600/IMG_1971.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiobq7ABPwrqo_MDC9h1dN1UieaLsIfvwwek7at1AuS1pPHmA49hcBi1GUvKgrwKy_4lG2zbgwl4iVvhyBcJJTUgtPToUZApDGR_3n3qa85EAtRQpmclgFiMc6c5n21c6A1UD1leTksElq/s400/IMG_1971.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409618327978935586" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div>As the period went on, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> noticed that we were only a few rows back from a major celebrity!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2KoqweeSGpohVLBew5PhtDgzDpHU2TkMsm7Rk9uaaQkXMAaOX6f6jy6RN781oFfo7KKbMBhC2wqJokMtn98Or9BqEf0QjASxfegobcaENpbnUnPPNevkRz7ARe2SH2i1_8pQPERi_uOA/s1600/IMG_1974.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2KoqweeSGpohVLBew5PhtDgzDpHU2TkMsm7Rk9uaaQkXMAaOX6f6jy6RN781oFfo7KKbMBhC2wqJokMtn98Or9BqEf0QjASxfegobcaENpbnUnPPNevkRz7ARe2SH2i1_8pQPERi_uOA/s400/IMG_1974.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409618581287830754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Kopitar family in the house!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">That's correct... the gentleman on the far right is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmzeqZJwh7E">Matjaz Kopitar</a>... father of the 3rd best scorer in the NHL. I'm sure it must be great for a father to watch their son play hockey... but it must be even cooler when it's one of the best players in the NHL who is in the first year of his 7 year, 6 million dollar per contract. I'm not sure if that was Anze's little brother next to his dad, but I wonder if Keith Gretzky wore a Gretzky jersey to Edmonton Oiler home games?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gbRx6e_jcwE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gbRx6e_jcwE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Ryan Smyth <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=1902">skated</a> today, a day ahead of schedule. The Kings are very smart in not trying to rush him back. It doesn't seem like the Kings are making any call-ups from Manchester right now... but I have to imagine that Teddy Purcell's time on the any of the first 4 lines is very limited.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-14338164658781854052009-11-28T16:00:00.000-08:002009-11-28T16:16:38.106-08:00Vote For RoyalThe good folks over at the <a href="http://thenhlarena.com/">NHL Arena</a> are running some sort of Blog Contest for all the NHL Teams. And yours truly has been included with the initial 12 teams.... 12? 12?!?... there are 12 Los Angeles Kings blogs??!?! That means there is 1 blog for every forward that plays for the Kings. Yikes, the internet is stupid.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTsvsmOF_FDcMTtr544JQS0hlUWpRppOnFwxbQNrUpwZ855ZMbflVJYkExbLkFXcd12ye8n6BMTqVRrTNGIJFQDNWNuQDfulxgAVEBtY36NUqwvalh76uKxOIT8XFSyRri-WGxy99PEOY/s1600/Kings.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTsvsmOF_FDcMTtr544JQS0hlUWpRppOnFwxbQNrUpwZ855ZMbflVJYkExbLkFXcd12ye8n6BMTqVRrTNGIJFQDNWNuQDfulxgAVEBtY36NUqwvalh76uKxOIT8XFSyRri-WGxy99PEOY/s400/Kings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409309784336821378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This is the image that comes up when you Google Image Search for "LA Kings Blogger."</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So you obviously come to The Royal Half for a reason. You are either personal friends with me... or... you come here thinking that it's <a href="http://www.battleofcali.com/">Battle of California</a>. So let's take a stand, Friends of Royal Half and cast a vote for me against all the other Kings sites that don't have hockey dick jokes and humorous screencaps! (Except for Life in Hockeywood, Kings Kool-Aid, Mayors Manor and My Views from Section 310... those guys are cool.)<br /><br />You can go here to vote: <a href="http://thenhlarena.com/index.php?showtopic=117166">Kings Blog Off - Round 1</a><br /><br />You have to register for your vote to count, so if you could spend 5 minutes doing it... I would forever be your internet friend and I promise to continue my hard-hitting journalism of all things Los Angeles Kings! Like these:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNvLQGLqOd8HnqM3zYycPv9-oDB1sUxs13u3IYdyL50rqZMxQSTJFLDmBjsnnj3c_u2rUUTGsNTpUh4Gt4AnLif5JuCfTnI3rwdnbPQiZupM2dsKe_oyQ34fDQfcnypWlbkw-xUaf6Vjv/s1600/dough+teeth.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNvLQGLqOd8HnqM3zYycPv9-oDB1sUxs13u3IYdyL50rqZMxQSTJFLDmBjsnnj3c_u2rUUTGsNTpUh4Gt4AnLif5JuCfTnI3rwdnbPQiZupM2dsKe_oyQ34fDQfcnypWlbkw-xUaf6Vjv/s400/dough+teeth.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409311299919296978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Go-mbt6MNlDTbnf1M248nQIGPRRxk6usxiCfaFneHiXzLjFWLqAzxD7HClimwdtRVETeRljTk9tzwj6P2-x6PbhN3_zYbnm1CsIWqQ0Obe3gwU4pwwMTE1GzGyAmGNfYNCXHI2P5gjeg/s1600/girls+3.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Go-mbt6MNlDTbnf1M248nQIGPRRxk6usxiCfaFneHiXzLjFWLqAzxD7HClimwdtRVETeRljTk9tzwj6P2-x6PbhN3_zYbnm1CsIWqQ0Obe3gwU4pwwMTE1GzGyAmGNfYNCXHI2P5gjeg/s400/girls+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409311304628634146" border="0" /></a></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qcJstrzs9G_9bWR4PD_mveO7VF8Osu0ajGbhKndRWMTTtMm1kMiVsXkDr0mz0kBOZP9brT5h0yaAm_RfRo_nsuzXONId19LvMR2y0v6YQd0WhONgIP4YPN-g_LzleoTEhSW_vEPe6cWN/s1600/fan+scream.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qcJstrzs9G_9bWR4PD_mveO7VF8Osu0ajGbhKndRWMTTtMm1kMiVsXkDr0mz0kBOZP9brT5h0yaAm_RfRo_nsuzXONId19LvMR2y0v6YQd0WhONgIP4YPN-g_LzleoTEhSW_vEPe6cWN/s400/fan+scream.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409311313133884258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSutnuHA7WmYsQyt3mdT1M6EeG0u3R_AcklBg3C8oCdOqzmVsaMTrtjTIIrSVQbx6typdmUg4R4MMso_GEvfuTmzEtyc3ViRDSA9dCb42jI4nw6P4O-FaWCSWfvsJsjZQtAip7gR3g4fO/s1600/heidi+dog.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSutnuHA7WmYsQyt3mdT1M6EeG0u3R_AcklBg3C8oCdOqzmVsaMTrtjTIIrSVQbx6typdmUg4R4MMso_GEvfuTmzEtyc3ViRDSA9dCb42jI4nw6P4O-FaWCSWfvsJsjZQtAip7gR3g4fO/s400/heidi+dog.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409311318286067762" border="0" /></a><br />All hail the internet... AND GO KINGS GO!Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-302420247377205562009-11-27T12:39:00.000-08:002009-11-27T14:33:57.014-08:00Blame CanadaThere's no better way to celebrate the great holiday of Thanksgiving than to watch the Los Angeles Kings battle against 2 teams on the road in Canada! The Canadians hate the freedom that we provide for them and they throw it back in our face by not celebrating Thanksgiving. So these 2 games weren't just about getting crucial points in the Western Conference... no... these games were about freedom!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdxdSeiiQ3_fs_geDRY3jtW9O2ZJdRLotcHwKTieUHm3JIt2Us4QlK6l_QCdLhLyYPOlHd1fLjnB4ujPK7VsR_fJd7XEsKI1qevBzpsXU_Wb-ysbAgyu6ZiZi7jpKILV3dVrDM5YiHGTU/s1600/show+logo.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdxdSeiiQ3_fs_geDRY3jtW9O2ZJdRLotcHwKTieUHm3JIt2Us4QlK6l_QCdLhLyYPOlHd1fLjnB4ujPK7VsR_fJd7XEsKI1qevBzpsXU_Wb-ysbAgyu6ZiZi7jpKILV3dVrDM5YiHGTU/s400/show+logo.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408887414174240978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Canada may not have Thanksgiving but they have cool hockey graphics. </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kings 3, Oilers 1</span><br /></div><br />A solid effort overall by the Kings in Game 1 of their back to back Canadian Thanksgiving Road Trip. Now, I know that the Edmonton Oilers have really embraced the retro-1980's look this season... but this is just getting ridiculous. Look what they had playing goal for them tonight...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-QGf-iXoHA9iQh7nET4ULGv24XAR3I_vODEs-hmxSUCk-Y7cRMb429XX287i13LAVGWaxp3kS8SJP5JT0E_yBIAs5bjjo85SF6E8IX8XGMk9pZe7tlk-vNxynfdy54mtnZfVTHQH-pZh/s1600/1981_delorean_dmc12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-QGf-iXoHA9iQh7nET4ULGv24XAR3I_vODEs-hmxSUCk-Y7cRMb429XX287i13LAVGWaxp3kS8SJP5JT0E_yBIAs5bjjo85SF6E8IX8XGMk9pZe7tlk-vNxynfdy54mtnZfVTHQH-pZh/s400/1981_delorean_dmc12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408887524778367346" border="0" /></a><br />Oh.... not DeLorean? I see now....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wBpUJ2VMRwg2cZqV_vyhmvBpBeLIoh47LODtKnaTlR88mS6Wo8sPQBJ8Dr0Mw6QPnOuT814gH5TO8kLDPz7_lVoxlpHGch9pyIHzDtd495pJE7o1yDJgxcJ2zRBmFo-FKRUfzbLMA4fI/s1600/delorean.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wBpUJ2VMRwg2cZqV_vyhmvBpBeLIoh47LODtKnaTlR88mS6Wo8sPQBJ8Dr0Mw6QPnOuT814gH5TO8kLDPz7_lVoxlpHGch9pyIHzDtd495pJE7o1yDJgxcJ2zRBmFo-FKRUfzbLMA4fI/s400/delorean.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408886658147103362" border="0" /></a><br />If I hadn't <a href="http://www.fromtherink.com/2009/11/5/1118152/oilers-participating-in-movember">already known</a> that the Oilers were participating in a mustache growing event for charity... I might have thought that they had a team of pedophiles... or even worse... <a href="http://mog.com/pinkertonwasbetter/blog/181767">hipsters</a>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQES9k414PXoz9V0WcFyQr5LR6-u8sAHJ_zVcs-e10VTvcC2Kb7IwAPZnYlkA0w2tM-UOyhgvVRVlrD12kPRNQEi5OZ-YydKMM8IyhaK5o5WhRS95m-rb_kp2o-g_MGN6_HgGMFSi_Isnj/s1600/stache+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQES9k414PXoz9V0WcFyQr5LR6-u8sAHJ_zVcs-e10VTvcC2Kb7IwAPZnYlkA0w2tM-UOyhgvVRVlrD12kPRNQEi5OZ-YydKMM8IyhaK5o5WhRS95m-rb_kp2o-g_MGN6_HgGMFSi_Isnj/s400/stache+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408887420665168450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoo6PwyIENF4R7UBGIljveUnFuVe4rPkQfxEWw16is34vwbqO9-WB4ml2bzREtcXDzHQ_Imh_4wfVUl6ypmxOudwQ01FMOZCjJW1FLe-atrvicNbFkU1037lWmWhvKE5sK5BfU1zjaUJS/s1600/stache+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoo6PwyIENF4R7UBGIljveUnFuVe4rPkQfxEWw16is34vwbqO9-WB4ml2bzREtcXDzHQ_Imh_4wfVUl6ypmxOudwQ01FMOZCjJW1FLe-atrvicNbFkU1037lWmWhvKE5sK5BfU1zjaUJS/s400/stache+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408887425478263826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuln1w_jIFZH_fOqSm_d7-tUGWsk86-CnUtErwirVwzWUAbsw9f3ka7VaytKOw09shOBVvMnIKGHgz-0QLBLtd0J3vuT1n15OsKPwj6IRuH8EefHWwbQ3H0ziIE3vc-kL3LKdS5bMurGh6/s1600/stache+3.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuln1w_jIFZH_fOqSm_d7-tUGWsk86-CnUtErwirVwzWUAbsw9f3ka7VaytKOw09shOBVvMnIKGHgz-0QLBLtd0J3vuT1n15OsKPwj6IRuH8EefHWwbQ3H0ziIE3vc-kL3LKdS5bMurGh6/s400/stache+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408887434617522322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwwSb_lDXi6lEbv0NgptFiK8RWcOuVDrQN41Ro8zFwmczO8AXd_CVvdN1lDhbPmTghRWC2-IJCIbsTAfkrXJmP8EI5s4shlH-O085z7JjRhVYKDSqdR8F_f4EOuvHcmx-9WUdqSCr2Jnn/s1600/stache+4.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwwSb_lDXi6lEbv0NgptFiK8RWcOuVDrQN41Ro8zFwmczO8AXd_CVvdN1lDhbPmTghRWC2-IJCIbsTAfkrXJmP8EI5s4shlH-O085z7JjRhVYKDSqdR8F_f4EOuvHcmx-9WUdqSCr2Jnn/s400/stache+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408887437855590306" border="0" /></a><br />God, I'm so glad no one on the Kings looks as lame as these guys!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64eaA3Edkr-dC2rzggCZm3UI4uzwQNugjiEunRpi9i3zgYHiLj7keMUqwNorzPXkde6Sha_X9bCxQ46luuGFyNw1oBfjcxXUqCUIqnUDtswdeCV3MmWNgP5bINHhKmseLTX_rcUK1hHJe/s1600/jones+rat.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64eaA3Edkr-dC2rzggCZm3UI4uzwQNugjiEunRpi9i3zgYHiLj7keMUqwNorzPXkde6Sha_X9bCxQ46luuGFyNw1oBfjcxXUqCUIqnUDtswdeCV3MmWNgP5bINHhKmseLTX_rcUK1hHJe/s400/jones+rat.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408898732244339666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Kings fans... <a href="http://www.battleofcali.com/2009/11/12/1143068/kings-roofie-hurricanes-5-2">lock up</a> your children.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Maybe Patrick O'Sullivan <a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/2009/11/patio-furniture.html">was right</a>... the Canadian Press does care more about hockey than they do in LA. The Edmonton broadcast of this game featured an "in-depth" profile of the teeth problems that 19-Year-Old Drew Doughty had this season. And they took it to a level I've never seen Rich Hammond go.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroMA7BZpYDt3G2Vuoa-GVX00RWz09pMZZ8ICq2QeGCPA8qM-_kQYruLHClykANm9nhpxGCVYpDxMpbRfCxa3seMyG4W9LR9sMAeZ9Y_QNLOplAmtuWpgbQU6fpNWjRZZgCSkIpQprbzzb/s1600/dough+teeth.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroMA7BZpYDt3G2Vuoa-GVX00RWz09pMZZ8ICq2QeGCPA8qM-_kQYruLHClykANm9nhpxGCVYpDxMpbRfCxa3seMyG4W9LR9sMAeZ9Y_QNLOplAmtuWpgbQU6fpNWjRZZgCSkIpQprbzzb/s400/dough+teeth.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408886669018516802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGRN39oifsE">Feed me</a>, Seymour.<br /></span></div><br />Los Angeles Kings 19 year old uber-rookie Andrei Loktionov made his NHL debut in this game centering a line between Dustin Brown and fellow Russian Alexander Frolov.<br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb9xEjigFwstYA9F-kGhTd6S7__mfvoLmElrBmEZb_xTeh25hnvGZXbMPKu2oon_BzygkDRzyTVeAqhWRWgqLMdoKdbDe9Ie7FXEnNqAgvsGhqCqKoLbelPz6IduRFWkAoGp_LBLcxFSw/s1600/andrei+arrives.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb9xEjigFwstYA9F-kGhTd6S7__mfvoLmElrBmEZb_xTeh25hnvGZXbMPKu2oon_BzygkDRzyTVeAqhWRWgqLMdoKdbDe9Ie7FXEnNqAgvsGhqCqKoLbelPz6IduRFWkAoGp_LBLcxFSw/s400/andrei+arrives.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408886654320372562" border="0" /></a><br />Loktionov is one of the very promising rookies in the Kings system and his debut, although sudden, was one that many Kings fans were looking forward to. So how'd it turn out?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IsM_XCX52NYUl5Jbiyf8iaGTPhyGSfFAR10g8PZ9aQonQN4wn9uLMv7U5D_miLLCZR9JJLVSosPd5JvkNG13CgS_IJJxY_9PGvWc4kyylIJXFCdylf3WNXsGYXBicYTd8hpu26u89k-N/s1600/lot+shoulder+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IsM_XCX52NYUl5Jbiyf8iaGTPhyGSfFAR10g8PZ9aQonQN4wn9uLMv7U5D_miLLCZR9JJLVSosPd5JvkNG13CgS_IJJxY_9PGvWc4kyylIJXFCdylf3WNXsGYXBicYTd8hpu26u89k-N/s400/lot+shoulder+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408886680189428658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Awesome! That's how it went!</span><br /></div><br />So with memories of the <a href="http://www.fromtherink.com/2009/11/20/1166194/2009-10-nhl-man-games-lost-to">2003-2004</a> season in the back of Kings fans heads... this team is now facing an injury crisis. So what do you do when 3 of your starters and the 1 rookie that was supposed to replace them are all out? You get all "Dean Lombardi <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=1812">Crafty</a>"... that's what you do!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcjac02anoKzS9pmrbjB35_yiBx2geRasuxkfeb6EY1-r9KmUJOZt2umx945vbb1DwimWUArcl2IxYhG7h11o9MStSR6H1eSghEsAOL8XM2lOZ2kSIoAwYrAFSvo6-QnB1VfUgLsBLhJ8/s1600/47223_nhl_scouting_combine_hockey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcjac02anoKzS9pmrbjB35_yiBx2geRasuxkfeb6EY1-r9KmUJOZt2umx945vbb1DwimWUArcl2IxYhG7h11o9MStSR6H1eSghEsAOL8XM2lOZ2kSIoAwYrAFSvo6-QnB1VfUgLsBLhJ8/s400/47223_nhl_scouting_combine_hockey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408906852110065730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Welcome to the Bigs!</span><br /><br /></div>Did you even know there was such a thing as a one game contract? No, of course you didn't... but Dean Lombardi did. So Dean had 2009 #1 Draft Pick Brayden Schenn suit up for the Kings last night versus the Vancouver Canucks. Schenn made it through the whole game with his shoulder intact but the Kings had another now-patented 3rd Period Meltdown© and lost 4-1.<br /><br />So what are the Kings to do next? With Smyth still out for another few weeks (it may be longer... Smyth didn't travel on this trip and I have a feeling this injury might be worse than the Kings are letting on) and Stoll out and Scuderi out and our prospects terrified of getting called up for fear of their arms being ripped out of the sockets... Dean Lombardi has to make a trade soon, right? Right?Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-55690833192332320082009-11-25T12:57:00.000-08:002009-11-25T14:18:51.186-08:00Patio FurnitureSo here we are... 3 days after the Los Angeles Kings meltdown against the Calgary Flames and now with 2 new players in the Kings lineup. Jarret Stoll and Rob Scuderi will be on the sidelines tonight with young pups Andrei Loktionov (19!) and Brandon Segal (26) making their Kings debut tonight in Edmonton. I'm not going to pretend like I know anything about these guys... and don't believe any blogger that says they do. They are just lying to you.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK3rjao7JnKxCYAFocOmiINCmTXy9XSKCdhsZWqSwWQ1Zvubv1ng_Mw8hTC9gz0RZ-lJYDYrDkQihMU3_yCE2UjeeKRSTJ25dIxqjex8nKRMmNi8JutbotabLw_OUXnBSfV_SfS1YEJxJ/s1600/81461817.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK3rjao7JnKxCYAFocOmiINCmTXy9XSKCdhsZWqSwWQ1Zvubv1ng_Mw8hTC9gz0RZ-lJYDYrDkQihMU3_yCE2UjeeKRSTJ25dIxqjex8nKRMmNi8JutbotabLw_OUXnBSfV_SfS1YEJxJ/s400/81461817.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408150047449121682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This is our 2nd line center?? </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBbv7F25aIDJEAvSqtd-yCWjYf-iy5BuBckTV7Zcv96A6TQqfGM44Eue5TgaVvd_opJDSxTplnhyCLsG2shs6moklLSud_7LmCtIx4ZBs-VETnqVS4mxJ1S4Av3xpMwesE1GD-TRv4zRk/s1600/10964_brandon-segal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBbv7F25aIDJEAvSqtd-yCWjYf-iy5BuBckTV7Zcv96A6TQqfGM44Eue5TgaVvd_opJDSxTplnhyCLsG2shs6moklLSud_7LmCtIx4ZBs-VETnqVS4mxJ1S4Av3xpMwesE1GD-TRv4zRk/s400/10964_brandon-segal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408150057122604354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Brandon Segal... only half a jew.<br />Don't believe me? There is a <a href="http://forums.internationalhockey.net/showthread.php?p=88801">forum</a> on the web for everything!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The real story tonight in Edmonton is the complete disappearance of former King Patrick O'Sullivan. I was a big fan of Patrick during his time in Los Angeles... even feeling like he was stolen from the Minnesota Wild by Dean Lombardi during the 2006 NHL Draft. He always had the potential to be electric as a player... but he never was consistent. When Anze Kopitar signed his 7 year deal last season with the Kings the 1st line of Kopitar, O'Sullivan and Dustin Brown were to be together until at least the 2010-2011 season. And many Kings fans rejoiced in the idea of the second coming of the Triple Crown Line. And when the Kings traded him to Edmonton last season as part of the Justin Williams deal... many people, including <a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/2009/03/good-bye-sully-brick-road.html">myself</a>, were left scratching their heads.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4KH7vuYWkTeAPDJIIsO7K_pyLAfAxMc9m7iZrDa_YhmDOIIhfiCXYYnqxmjSybSy9oK1iIRDW0qrvjXc4hXvoKSMapyeYu_9d6MBBb4aQmOq9V-Oa5tfS9TDB477U-jZ7foIjAiOPEj5/s1600/Patrick_O'Sullivan.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 351px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4KH7vuYWkTeAPDJIIsO7K_pyLAfAxMc9m7iZrDa_YhmDOIIhfiCXYYnqxmjSybSy9oK1iIRDW0qrvjXc4hXvoKSMapyeYu_9d6MBBb4aQmOq9V-Oa5tfS9TDB477U-jZ7foIjAiOPEj5/s400/Patrick_O'Sullivan.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408154322138621058" border="0" /></a><br />Now, 24 games into the new season... it's obvious that Kopitar would have never succeeded with Brown and O'Sullivan as his linemates. Sure, it was sexy to think the 3 young King studs would be together forever as a line... but Kopitar needed the speed and smart play of Justin Williams and the crafty veteran know-how of Ryan Smyth to become the player he has this season. Anze would not be leading the league in scoring with the enigmatic play of O'Sullivan on his wing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ko3cgy_EMOW8FrOPoTQnRHpQxmX45x542cnr0RjRyqEnUn_MTQbGO2ScURBJf1cunjr9jLhzjv2BiIGHA-hUuRP6VOvpaVxnHpKnzlEKW6Z3EcMosN66OLzW6PQ3PGh2hiH4ebg9yTqW/s1600/Picture+7.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ko3cgy_EMOW8FrOPoTQnRHpQxmX45x542cnr0RjRyqEnUn_MTQbGO2ScURBJf1cunjr9jLhzjv2BiIGHA-hUuRP6VOvpaVxnHpKnzlEKW6Z3EcMosN66OLzW6PQ3PGh2hiH4ebg9yTqW/s400/Picture+7.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408159804263877730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">O'Sullivan with his one smile as a member of the Los Angeles Kings. </span><br /><br /></div>Patrick has 6 goals in 43 games with the Oilers while Justin Williams has 6 in 31 games as a King. But the difference they've made to their teams couldn't be more <a href="http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=299002">opposite</a>. Williams is an anchor on the 1st line while Sully is centering the Oilers 4th line. Edmonton has been spinning its wheels all season... and this roadtrip to Canada with the Kings #1 Left Wing, #2 Center and #4 Defensman all injured... has the potential to not be a pretty one for the Kings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiievgNLPz_MppM6Zgg6xjTDV0LmHOuhTtF6RL91TJZA6CzwkOntNo170KjY2eSOL_23dLl_QVGfMHpZQuDKuPzCP4KCfouOYB72r6m4UX3tr3sQt6FpYP8Y-SoL-VbSXZMtrcnI8vvN33K/s1600/2205134175_e63ea49788.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiievgNLPz_MppM6Zgg6xjTDV0LmHOuhTtF6RL91TJZA6CzwkOntNo170KjY2eSOL_23dLl_QVGfMHpZQuDKuPzCP4KCfouOYB72r6m4UX3tr3sQt6FpYP8Y-SoL-VbSXZMtrcnI8vvN33K/s400/2205134175_e63ea49788.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408160317051827570" border="0" /></a><br />And then there were the comments. During an <a href="http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/jay_onrait/?id=297217">interview</a> with TSN... O'Sullivan said the following about the team that had traded for him and gave him the opportunity to play on the 1st line:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">What’s been the most surprising thing playing for a Canadian team?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">O’SULLIVAN: It’s definitely different coming from L.A. where nobody cared and after the game we’d have two people in the room waiting to talk to us. I didn’t know what to expect when I was traded and I didn’t know how I was going to like it. But to me, I think it’s great. You want to play somewhere where hockey is important. It’s everything and more that I thought it would be. The games are sold out and it’s a fun building to play in. Outside of the weather, it’s a great city. In my opinion if you want to live somewhere warm, you can do it when you’re done playing.”</span></span><br /><br />Fine. Whatever. Honestly, with the exception of the Kings employee <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/">Rich Hammond</a>... none of the mainstream media in Los Angeles really cares all that much about ice hockey. But that doesn't mean the fans who cheered for O'Sullivan's <a href="http://lakingsnews.com/2009/11/12/the-irrelevance-that-is-patrick-osullivan/">feel</a> the <a href="http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Matthew-Barry/A-Rebuttal-to-Patrick-OSullivan/125/24270">same</a> <a href="http://kwisp.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/from-cult-of-hockey-patrick-osullivan-gets-ripped-to-shreds-by-cbc-announcers-milbury-hrudey/">way</a>.<br /><br />So now he is an Oiler and their blogs can write about how frustrated they are with him. And the Oilers do have some awesome bloggers. Check out <a href="http://www.coppernblue.com/">The Copper and Blue</a> and <a href="http://www.lowonoil.com/">Low On Oil</a> for the tough, working class perspective of Edmonton fans. For hockey dick jokes and HD screencaps... keep your dial set right here.<br /></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-65417347230698631062009-11-22T23:44:00.000-08:002009-11-23T01:15:55.522-08:00Flaming HotAt 11:46pm on Friday night I received this email from <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span>:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"were you thinking we had a game tomorrow like I was?"</span><br /><br />We had traded our October 25th game against the Columbus Blue Jackets for a later game against the Calgary Flames. Naturally, we had assumed that Calgary game was Saturday's 1pm game and had been preparing for it most of the week. Luckily, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> actually took the time to look at the ticket and realized that it wasn't for this particular home game against the Calgary Flames but rather the one in 2 weeks. So thankfully, we were spared having to view the Los Angeles Kings suck in person. Until at least next Saturday.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifu4uD-tOjeTlLhuSPGMfEKW-JunN-_6Y9huTcFNXFy0DqViwfCob0Z4s3Ket9aKQ6tja9yrjnidPcGMUZU7w6ayjny3P41vzvGQc72DQCpDNGdQRS9nTdJw_SQOYyyAFdVp-WwPqsJMTt/s1600/quick+screen.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifu4uD-tOjeTlLhuSPGMfEKW-JunN-_6Y9huTcFNXFy0DqViwfCob0Z4s3Ket9aKQ6tja9yrjnidPcGMUZU7w6ayjny3P41vzvGQc72DQCpDNGdQRS9nTdJw_SQOYyyAFdVp-WwPqsJMTt/s400/quick+screen.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407204322021052242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Of course Quick couldn't make that save... look at all the traffic in front of him. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I don't want to talk about this game. The Kings played horribly and fell apart in the 3rd period. So luckily, The Los Angeles Kings' broadcast on Fox Sports West provided me with the only thing I like more than watching ice hockey in HD.... hot chicks in bikinis!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlsdG7DYfzPCTm3y71VPW4d5ujdVyz-MRsBO6H2vGnW_qYJD1e_TGK0dMAhgbk1BmfhZFSZpewN1utE9OrB7EZsqd682yZCPWsqYO0n11yc-tJS9Vfunn__90GaEwKYXPJbJPwixRxJ3Y/s1600/girls+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlsdG7DYfzPCTm3y71VPW4d5ujdVyz-MRsBO6H2vGnW_qYJD1e_TGK0dMAhgbk1BmfhZFSZpewN1utE9OrB7EZsqd682yZCPWsqYO0n11yc-tJS9Vfunn__90GaEwKYXPJbJPwixRxJ3Y/s400/girls+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407204337759863474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Power = Passion = Bikinis on the Beach</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In a rather "R" rated broadcast of Los Angeles Kings hockey, throughout the entire game, the <a href="http://kings.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=949&id=51319">behind-the-scenes video</a> for the Making of the LA Kings Ice Crew Calendar was promoted. And for one night, sideline reporter Patrick O'Neal was the luckiest man in show business.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmMg0EXD10vEeibiUxIbBbvCHyhucOya82ArMjtnCS5tesNrBdE50vuY-kgVoZDNau7_avZO0_TZeUY8db3a97NLKzrSPiiJnwhqxyrUuM0I6wuQQGkohSx1wXmDnHgg3N8035sSMPyJR/s1600/3some.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmMg0EXD10vEeibiUxIbBbvCHyhucOya82ArMjtnCS5tesNrBdE50vuY-kgVoZDNau7_avZO0_TZeUY8db3a97NLKzrSPiiJnwhqxyrUuM0I6wuQQGkohSx1wXmDnHgg3N8035sSMPyJR/s400/3some.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407204325674769490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I had a dream like this once, but Patrick O'Neal was nowhere to be found in it.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The most bizarre moment of the night was during the interview featured above with <a href="http://kings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=57934">Debbie</a>. Patrick O'Neal said pretty much out of nowhere "your parents must be so thrilled." Debbie answered the question with a smile, but you could tell she really wanted to say "what the hell is that supposed to mean?" It was almost the same look Justin Williams shot Patrick earlier in the night.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbgDyhWkREUXLQ1qZ_pHisXlOO6pTjotYK9Og9tEucR5kX_UYzbpyW9TjSM6q65xaE9Xe26TrgwPV17pdr4fTSeOqATB4SqNMsLF_PQr0gYw5dcB74VFgi7TfkpXPDSI9U2hjofpQSp0L/s1600/relax+williams.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbgDyhWkREUXLQ1qZ_pHisXlOO6pTjotYK9Og9tEucR5kX_UYzbpyW9TjSM6q65xaE9Xe26TrgwPV17pdr4fTSeOqATB4SqNMsLF_PQr0gYw5dcB74VFgi7TfkpXPDSI9U2hjofpQSp0L/s400/relax+williams.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407204815431979074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">"Why don't you get out there and try to play without Smyth. See how you do."</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In between the 2nd and 3rd period, they unveiled the behind the scenes video. And of course, the most exciting Kings ice girl of them all was leading the charge. </span><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCwPGsL0wMUU5tFIhABaTpKZp4AIx8-fozdb5gnWYYnOBPo_hLEkYdf5l8jbzKWwzLNbqe3YevZTI8qGAcVBDB-ZeEDPKQ4W4EesEFJuYVgmwAoAJkV9CGItZJV6VsPUtquStjpgrKz5N/s1600/androl.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCwPGsL0wMUU5tFIhABaTpKZp4AIx8-fozdb5gnWYYnOBPo_hLEkYdf5l8jbzKWwzLNbqe3YevZTI8qGAcVBDB-ZeEDPKQ4W4EesEFJuYVgmwAoAJkV9CGItZJV6VsPUtquStjpgrKz5N/s400/androl.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407204329955935026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The video you are about to see is <span style="font-style: italic;">almost</span> as sexy as Alexander Frolov <a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/2009/10/fugly-for-win.html">shopping for clothes</a>. </span><br /></div><br />This video was originally broadcast on <a href="http://kings.nhl.tv/team/console">KingsVision</a>, which is the Kings online video library. And as the readers of this blog know... most of the videos you see on the internet... look like this.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91eeESHkE3INqPOgXWe0Ia8KkXmCqM8hwMnTeB2FVeybtQxaUyfll7X7kHrLP-dtyPeoMyniWhOm4Ope-D6rN62iDl469v7IgAy7qggrsoYGn8Mb0RceElARDFwAO8QWIvuoUoXSskXCj/s1600/girls+4.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91eeESHkE3INqPOgXWe0Ia8KkXmCqM8hwMnTeB2FVeybtQxaUyfll7X7kHrLP-dtyPeoMyniWhOm4Ope-D6rN62iDl469v7IgAy7qggrsoYGn8Mb0RceElARDFwAO8QWIvuoUoXSskXCj/s400/girls+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407204796204479778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/2009/10/see-what-develops.html">See What Develops?</a><br /></span></div><br />Perfect for the whole family to get together and watch. Let's not forget... this was an 1pm afternoon game. This footage wasn't airing after 9pm. But the Kings are risk takers... I mean, we are talking about an organization that released this photo on its officially sanctioned <a href="http://twitter.com/LAKingsHockey/statuses/5866736065">Twitter feed</a> a few hours before this game even started.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKy9U4BqjKsJoIm2JGNHEPjYH0S5bNgqFpM1XKwAEqa4dOn24CJ3dvcz-1iZtpWEumiIe14PhfA0WsuFFgplqaMqAuzINlLxNh3rmPaz7JlN9LP4rP4LwzsytBnYQAqsH4xXDDlyeuue6s/s1600/43894576.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKy9U4BqjKsJoIm2JGNHEPjYH0S5bNgqFpM1XKwAEqa4dOn24CJ3dvcz-1iZtpWEumiIe14PhfA0WsuFFgplqaMqAuzINlLxNh3rmPaz7JlN9LP4rP4LwzsytBnYQAqsH4xXDDlyeuue6s/s400/43894576.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407212235710381282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Kings girl who just fell off a mechanical bull...</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">or freeze frame from a David Lynch film?</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">You decide. </span><br /></div><br />The only thing hotter than that photo?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkvOtUdrxjiqmnANsv6s7oF3ou87qfXtCUx6FIQPiWdfV_YDpgVZQiwKEZvrMI-Y7OPXS9ByK9pcoLud58Sgk9XzPXShFyh9FV3_MXlguI8X1rTTlUeUoxO2V6gC0R4kjtFSHYuxBn4vR/s1600/girls+3.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkvOtUdrxjiqmnANsv6s7oF3ou87qfXtCUx6FIQPiWdfV_YDpgVZQiwKEZvrMI-Y7OPXS9ByK9pcoLud58Sgk9XzPXShFyh9FV3_MXlguI8X1rTTlUeUoxO2V6gC0R4kjtFSHYuxBn4vR/s400/girls+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407204342501017634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This one. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The girl on the right is also featured on the mat of the mechanical bull. Her name is <a href="http://kings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=57937">Carrlyn</a> and her father Frank, was an <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX6DBLaw0uM">NHL defenseman</a>. I'm surprised Coach Murray hasn't tried her at left wing yet.<br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyBoR-6QLmARHxpslJB-zQQhwgfUddw_9XmEs0GSd3jy0OeoFEMRIjpFf4N_yJszp3ETSUDyE3s_GYxuCt0jlz-atmltL8h_b5sN8zKNgDhwaA4Z8Kzo7ACmNpSV1Un0ouA-yRVtKAger/s1600/IC_Calendar_Sale.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyBoR-6QLmARHxpslJB-zQQhwgfUddw_9XmEs0GSd3jy0OeoFEMRIjpFf4N_yJszp3ETSUDyE3s_GYxuCt0jlz-atmltL8h_b5sN8zKNgDhwaA4Z8Kzo7ACmNpSV1Un0ouA-yRVtKAger/s400/IC_Calendar_Sale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407218576770334386" border="0" /></a><br />The Los Angeles Kings Ice Crew Calendar... a great holiday gift and a great way to distract passionate Kings fans from remembering that their team is not playing so well right now.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghY3oqu4HygWdMLJiP4q1mzdGS_nyYneedPr-QJ0TC01D8aX5cjZmM-ZPyUOtdcsxtbudM7g8-_sEsi6XoE_XuW-KRrR6fl7cziiNukL7GWS1KqDRp8JI1vR583THBh40Kub5WzpqKaTQw/s1600/girls+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghY3oqu4HygWdMLJiP4q1mzdGS_nyYneedPr-QJ0TC01D8aX5cjZmM-ZPyUOtdcsxtbudM7g8-_sEsi6XoE_XuW-KRrR6fl7cziiNukL7GWS1KqDRp8JI1vR583THBh40Kub5WzpqKaTQw/s400/girls+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407219291598867634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Lost 3 of the last 5 what now?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Okay I promised I wouldn't talk about hockey so instead I'll talk about how much I love corporate America. Why do I love corporate America? Because of stuff like this.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk84lJMvq_SjWtbxPV9SARTSiT8umovJGiAGLsR3RRfQ9IdpCPIxd0_EvEuubCZoYcwe9I7Q_BvwKlNS5ZLOjR76yFvGJLIZIPWAfSM86eMVUym7gjjYSooLd7cqr3d8ax1f3khJ7jbe1m/s1600/directv.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk84lJMvq_SjWtbxPV9SARTSiT8umovJGiAGLsR3RRfQ9IdpCPIxd0_EvEuubCZoYcwe9I7Q_BvwKlNS5ZLOjR76yFvGJLIZIPWAfSM86eMVUym7gjjYSooLd7cqr3d8ax1f3khJ7jbe1m/s400/directv.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407218716253387634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This Los Angeles Kings broadcast is sponsored by DirecTV. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A few minutes later, check out the logo below the Kings one...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XvXjuO18BW9M0Rx0cAwU9MGG93fdPL8cRDMMyKXjNyilLowiiWeqDavzkIHW6s3Lp9zYybRXFZsMEdGOxHzj2PzChtbSt05vTFj678lktrN4ZWY92q77UzpB7x9hpgQRp6Vkm5lVoRk8/s1600/TWC.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XvXjuO18BW9M0Rx0cAwU9MGG93fdPL8cRDMMyKXjNyilLowiiWeqDavzkIHW6s3Lp9zYybRXFZsMEdGOxHzj2PzChtbSt05vTFj678lktrN4ZWY92q77UzpB7x9hpgQRp6Vkm5lVoRk8/s400/TWC.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407204820784118594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">No! This Los Angeles Kings broadcast is sponsored by Time Warner Cable! </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Nice move, Fox Sports West ad sales team... getting both DirecTV and Time Warner Cable to buy some space on a Kings game. Has anyone thought about getting someone from ad sales on that first line left wing? They seem to know how to get it done.<br /></div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-39636012153558964672009-11-20T12:27:00.000-08:002009-11-20T16:19:42.749-08:00Lifestyle ChoiceWow. <a href="http://kings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=506851">This one</a> kinda almost needs no words. So here goes a picture:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FHqXNg-iwmjLgxSlPovhu7wxzFuXCk909Is4md7yrZDU9dyx2yk7RTIU-e2Bomp2vHpfWBrLyWt5dB_0rDfCE7Thqf4FKVf8QGVtvgG61Ie9V_YBZOMeDASXyoqJ7IjhzTvyUBS43CHZ/s1600/Picture+18.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FHqXNg-iwmjLgxSlPovhu7wxzFuXCk909Is4md7yrZDU9dyx2yk7RTIU-e2Bomp2vHpfWBrLyWt5dB_0rDfCE7Thqf4FKVf8QGVtvgG61Ie9V_YBZOMeDASXyoqJ7IjhzTvyUBS43CHZ/s400/Picture+18.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406324036193255714" border="0" /></a><br />That's right... your favorite television motorcycle douchebag is bringing his unique fashion sense directly to the checkbooks of Los Angeles Kings Fans. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> brought this to my attention early this afternoon... and the news hit us harder than Ryan Smyth being out for a month. This new venture is described as "Kings-specific lifestyle clothing."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4dM04vU2rPSym0pxMC_cgq8iaAsozQL1BRwKmE-zK9qZgUaW-GCSjmFqQNMAPNkaKhgzmZmNkHCaOcnj-zKgCPyLfNYQ3SQjwZrl-kfq-1XwuuplrCYwfwyb8Tpbawe5o70Md_caFjct/s1600/jesse+james+11.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4dM04vU2rPSym0pxMC_cgq8iaAsozQL1BRwKmE-zK9qZgUaW-GCSjmFqQNMAPNkaKhgzmZmNkHCaOcnj-zKgCPyLfNYQ3SQjwZrl-kfq-1XwuuplrCYwfwyb8Tpbawe5o70Md_caFjct/s400/jesse+james+11.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406328123621951762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRqpbFGWJF1m4Z_EwDKwoiRQ1WqCL-GrEODxQz9oMDzA_9o02H70Z6NBNq-x6379ywPObiVz_pL-LtFu3OdkBztlGYDAfVvS3Bbs82_zBNglXuutRQkQWPvsrVNH2XhrBGUrZa91xeqRH/s1600/jesse+james+13.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRqpbFGWJF1m4Z_EwDKwoiRQ1WqCL-GrEODxQz9oMDzA_9o02H70Z6NBNq-x6379ywPObiVz_pL-LtFu3OdkBztlGYDAfVvS3Bbs82_zBNglXuutRQkQWPvsrVNH2XhrBGUrZa91xeqRH/s400/jesse+james+13.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406328129725550418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">That ain't no lifestyle I want to be a part of. </span><br /></div><br />It looks like <a href="http://dopefeast.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/ed-hardy-douchebags.jpg">Christian Audigier</a> took a shit on the <a href="http://shop.nhl.com/home/index.jsp">NHL catalog</a>. And what exactly is a "Kings-specific lifestyle?" Does this lifestyle include spending 1000 plus dollars a year on season seats only to miss the playoffs for 7 straight years? Does my Kings lifestyle include trading deadline acquisitions that don't score any goals in the 11 games they play for the Kings? If anything, the Kings lifestyle... is the lifestyle of a loser. What sort of lifestyle would have you buy the jersey of your favorite player only to watch him leave the Kings the next season?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXuPeR4-hZG4i4cvvV6zuiHNLhF9zpvNccP5MuJ482aANONhQHcTSaptfw4c7xescvo_LTjKPKooFk5ftcmAVKXuBEXrFt-TRZE_R-Q-Wtz2rT69bE1q78M9iEHjufEV49STlt_acZMkO/s1600/check+please.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXuPeR4-hZG4i4cvvV6zuiHNLhF9zpvNccP5MuJ482aANONhQHcTSaptfw4c7xescvo_LTjKPKooFk5ftcmAVKXuBEXrFt-TRZE_R-Q-Wtz2rT69bE1q78M9iEHjufEV49STlt_acZMkO/s400/check+please.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406331925799168418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This jersey is a gateway to a lifestyle you don't wanna know about. </span><br /></div><br />As <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> always says... "Lifestyle specific clothing is also known as clothing (specifically too expensive for your lifestyle)." Me and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> aren't "jersey guys." We wear at the most a Kings hat to each of our games. And you know what? We don't feel like any less of a passionate Kings fan. I have a handful of Kings t-shirts and sweatshirts and they are mainly worn for lounging around the house. Not for my Kings-specific lifestyle of hitting da clubs up at night.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcwf3DJEXJms4zWxoLCVgdpDWzdvVNyb8fk7JMp54_156KqOF7bVI-N_KsYUEcbn8Ws6VfHqS8loZtHBqg_mdccvo5F_0_8qW30_uwpAbR8O8Rjs9smK-CdhhJVXPDg9WKrQC9gsZQpTN/s1600/Screenshot28.jpg.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcwf3DJEXJms4zWxoLCVgdpDWzdvVNyb8fk7JMp54_156KqOF7bVI-N_KsYUEcbn8Ws6VfHqS8loZtHBqg_mdccvo5F_0_8qW30_uwpAbR8O8Rjs9smK-CdhhJVXPDg9WKrQC9gsZQpTN/s400/Screenshot28.jpg.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406337738912865378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Go Kings Go!</span><br /></div><br />I don't want to completely bad mouth Jesse James and his ridiculous line of clothing. After all, he's a pretty dedicated Kings fan himself and having a celebrity with as big a following as he has (however misguided) be this involved with Kings marketing can only be a positive for the franchise. But maybe the Kings could have considered a few alternative designers that might appeal to a different type of Kings fan. Like the very popular <a href="http://www.isaacmizrahiny.com/">Isaac Mizrahi</a>?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUl8eoB3N78XiCgI45zlfNlDnjJ5XbONpkRioiusL535djyBThDnrGoxSCEiNqCP3m92zfn8upjuEq5jJU5nxkZGakbEZW0FD9zSsa7sybaQ4ZKhXoe0w8yZ5sbJETSfnjFj1AftLsAlb6/s1600/Screenshot26.jpg.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUl8eoB3N78XiCgI45zlfNlDnjJ5XbONpkRioiusL535djyBThDnrGoxSCEiNqCP3m92zfn8upjuEq5jJU5nxkZGakbEZW0FD9zSsa7sybaQ4ZKhXoe0w8yZ5sbJETSfnjFj1AftLsAlb6/s400/Screenshot26.jpg.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406334551586867506" border="0" /></a><br />Or maybe even uber-housewares designer <a href="http://www.jonathanadler.com/shop/index.php">Jonathan Adler</a>?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvevZQZWItj-j_xz01JgVgRCuBYDk3bub7mqb5rxm6-MA5aGBn3voXfoitYhn61yGRnu3mW9vUffjnb3vtpdjcFzo_GBAZVJu5BwE20a2_zdCBFTun1Z2gYrH9iRypw4IHQnRBN_7YJMZG/s1600/Screenshot25.jpg.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvevZQZWItj-j_xz01JgVgRCuBYDk3bub7mqb5rxm6-MA5aGBn3voXfoitYhn61yGRnu3mW9vUffjnb3vtpdjcFzo_GBAZVJu5BwE20a2_zdCBFTun1Z2gYrH9iRypw4IHQnRBN_7YJMZG/s400/Screenshot25.jpg.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406334542785489298" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Wlwjd10uQTbhZ_0R0rVFKseVpSMPejZtUo3_GvBO2j-TFJ-FvMqCtPDDcjk_O7m-z41jiQPnYx2GGLVbHKq_WyCMJOlUCmKRMwmBmhORGNVDCvYr2QIMmG0Lu2gBjs02ungMumMIuRLB/s1600/Screenshot21.jpg.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Wlwjd10uQTbhZ_0R0rVFKseVpSMPejZtUo3_GvBO2j-TFJ-FvMqCtPDDcjk_O7m-z41jiQPnYx2GGLVbHKq_WyCMJOlUCmKRMwmBmhORGNVDCvYr2QIMmG0Lu2gBjs02ungMumMIuRLB/s400/Screenshot21.jpg.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406334532721159810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Now this is a Kings lifestyle that this hockey-loving design-snob can get behind!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And everyone knows that First Ladies are always a source of inspiration in terms of fashion for the American public.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBRpT9sH6lfHR2RVRPAoEjp16gMNk6bda-vlPdrcYqnHUdEjTCg8Vho1DL-xw7GaGis-BzCWicj-Xpk_gRfI3JcMtxc9jHwfGarGnUPVrj3DITmj-L7bz49SeNhxl9LkZzXs0I6obSPF-/s1600/Screenshot27.jpg.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBRpT9sH6lfHR2RVRPAoEjp16gMNk6bda-vlPdrcYqnHUdEjTCg8Vho1DL-xw7GaGis-BzCWicj-Xpk_gRfI3JcMtxc9jHwfGarGnUPVrj3DITmj-L7bz49SeNhxl9LkZzXs0I6obSPF-/s400/Screenshot27.jpg.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406334554438080914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Yes we can. Make the playoffs. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I don't mean to say that all of Jesse James' new line is crap. One is actually kind of cool.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3K-CgrE6EaidODU_dfT-4-_y7AJu4S7cNo3RkFqiqEIO5xTwaRog4SHSPtW85NbSpp6Yag4xnSmdrgfZfr8BPhQBzT02xRN77YgAdCe_E55kXKuh3HYDU1_0d5Msdm1-y3nDZnsKUOTtc/s1600/jesse+james+5.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3K-CgrE6EaidODU_dfT-4-_y7AJu4S7cNo3RkFqiqEIO5xTwaRog4SHSPtW85NbSpp6Yag4xnSmdrgfZfr8BPhQBzT02xRN77YgAdCe_E55kXKuh3HYDU1_0d5Msdm1-y3nDZnsKUOTtc/s400/jesse+james+5.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406336191040655474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Ok, I'll admit it. I'd buy this.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But the rest of the clothes? Well <a href="http://kings.nhl.com/club/gallerylanding.htm?id=10373">look</a> for yourself.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjksqBbUhSzg_CcfBe_Ngadd1yseSdWEH-9xgwHH_olO1OQxSCFHgl60UAfxcyBR8UNntuTXbQPVOOSzUYRKEXtEQ3Q4dYslNEedIvZFyePBdfRpSy52nqlquHCGYVrBy_EBvUjNPfZB4u/s1600/jesse+james+12.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjksqBbUhSzg_CcfBe_Ngadd1yseSdWEH-9xgwHH_olO1OQxSCFHgl60UAfxcyBR8UNntuTXbQPVOOSzUYRKEXtEQ3Q4dYslNEedIvZFyePBdfRpSy52nqlquHCGYVrBy_EBvUjNPfZB4u/s400/jesse+james+12.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406336705758241106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">What the hell does "Little Stick, Big Goal" even mean?</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">It's like a reject from the <a href="http://www.bigjohnson.com/cgi-bin/productlist_new.cgi?id=1234294937&code=Golf_Inches">Big Johnson</a> pile. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQp5xmvXPdTqOfZL19YInVnxMdMZdZXrdSPV0ZZMhZmN-zI-ht1xDAAkfMkQjuDGrkIG230sOBbJ0SLrEpExnVhRzKUbmTkEVoWzAfuXYUGGBSH0xymKrWEYru28r6dSqz1Tvt2ZLyRkq6/s1600/jesse+james+6.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQp5xmvXPdTqOfZL19YInVnxMdMZdZXrdSPV0ZZMhZmN-zI-ht1xDAAkfMkQjuDGrkIG230sOBbJ0SLrEpExnVhRzKUbmTkEVoWzAfuXYUGGBSH0xymKrWEYru28r6dSqz1Tvt2ZLyRkq6/s400/jesse+james+6.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406336712465955138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Yes, that does say "Pucker Up"<br />Even <a href="http://cyclelikethesedins.com/2009-articles/november/cls-unpublishednhlbooks-entries.html">James O'Brien</a>, the NHL's Official Pun Commissioner would hate this.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So even though the Kings got rid of their old black and white jerseys some 10 years ago, we are once again back to where we once were as franchise... looking like a bunch of Raider fans. But maybe this new line of Kings-specific lifestyle clothing is a new chapter in the long history of failure by the Los Angeles Kings. Maybe, just maybe the new Kings lifestyle... is one of a winner?<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-61271500322116803192009-11-19T10:06:00.000-08:002009-11-19T11:41:40.946-08:00East meets WestThere has been a <a href="http://kings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=506687">lot</a> of <a href="http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2009/11/18/1163585/game-18-preview-and-open-thread">talk</a> on the <a href="http://www.flyersgoalscoredby.com/2009-articles/october/flyers-gameday-the-kings.html">internets</a> recently about how the Los Angeles Kings organization is turning into the "Philadelphia Flyers West"... as Coach Murray, GM Dean Lombardi and Assistant GM Ron Hextall all have ties with the Flyers. Recent acquisitions such as Justin Williams, Randy Jones and Michal Handzus were all Flyers at one point in their careers, even playing under Coach Murray. And after watching last nights game against the Flyers... I have absolutely no problem with the Kings emulating that franchise.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0450BEGFYeaeEf9x6lVChRWCVeNANODK94Co5qm5wYimxEF_PKqk42oUDK2gOZXIXYSqLraV-aZD6fpb6zA8Ah4CKwH33sTu9dqdQNMEmft8FPCdCDwHLWS5wT_phaHyNoP3rXUQvLSy/s1600/IMG_1879.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0450BEGFYeaeEf9x6lVChRWCVeNANODK94Co5qm5wYimxEF_PKqk42oUDK2gOZXIXYSqLraV-aZD6fpb6zA8Ah4CKwH33sTu9dqdQNMEmft8FPCdCDwHLWS5wT_phaHyNoP3rXUQvLSy/s400/IMG_1879.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405879523975625522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The definition of a conflict of interest. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Sure the Kings lost. But they played well enough. In the words of Coach Murray... the Flyers played a great road game. The ice was pretty crappy at tonights game... I haven't noticed it to be this bad in previous games at Staples this season but the puck was bouncing all around out there. I should have known the game wouldn't end up as a Kings victory when the National Anthem singer didn't show up. So instead... they went old school.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnG20pRVGA3j_k3PgNicWMqE3c_5Ejy61QqgFbqwdNqM_GDORPi8B6A1ybxSrvac0Aoa2PY3i-gPaf0xok6mj8Ks5Xpi85KeJeN-RFBPkE_CyShTCfzXZtdN_EyWE831BIid571NrskSJQ/s1600/IMG_1885.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnG20pRVGA3j_k3PgNicWMqE3c_5Ejy61QqgFbqwdNqM_GDORPi8B6A1ybxSrvac0Aoa2PY3i-gPaf0xok6mj8Ks5Xpi85KeJeN-RFBPkE_CyShTCfzXZtdN_EyWE831BIid571NrskSJQ/s400/IMG_1885.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405879537027331826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Organ rock!<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Usually when <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> and I go to games... our seats are better than any of our friends who happen to be at the game.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajvBk71IvfbCtQLrl1QzZh61qJ2xzBq4mB688nIbjpIRAyo-g1M_caPt2564xrKGkPBwDrvWIMXA_bifaLF0OAxEccQkZRd6qpwPXqRnmB141XO2_fslz8KGtvctDxLPhOX8yGzEAgRev/s1600/IMG_1886.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajvBk71IvfbCtQLrl1QzZh61qJ2xzBq4mB688nIbjpIRAyo-g1M_caPt2564xrKGkPBwDrvWIMXA_bifaLF0OAxEccQkZRd6qpwPXqRnmB141XO2_fslz8KGtvctDxLPhOX8yGzEAgRev/s400/IMG_1886.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405879547001049266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The view from The Royal Half Headquarters.</span><br /></div><br />So imagine our surprise for this game when we had 3 friends in attendance... and they all had better seats than us. So what do you do when you have friends at the game who have better seats than you do? Well, you go join them in Jerry Buss' private box, that's what!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nNmdydA7g24zdmhWfeJk8DTe3pUOZR7i6N8as_5qfSW0Lutmlq9qqAinslUkJA1A-M6FDbssFvVII1ERFPT4374f78MhvzWBOhB6TnJKeCo2IOk_h46_6t9ebjGCXMx3MCcNSjUNgsdR/s1600/IMG_1888.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nNmdydA7g24zdmhWfeJk8DTe3pUOZR7i6N8as_5qfSW0Lutmlq9qqAinslUkJA1A-M6FDbssFvVII1ERFPT4374f78MhvzWBOhB6TnJKeCo2IOk_h46_6t9ebjGCXMx3MCcNSjUNgsdR/s400/IMG_1888.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405879561792108930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">So this is what it feels like to be rich.<br /></span></div><br />It was a fun field trip to go up to the private level for the 3rd period... but I couldn't help wondering what life was like back in the 200 section. A private box is fun if you have a large group of people all celebrating a birthday or you are trying to woo a potential client or Hollywood star... but I'll take the seat with my brethren among the hard working Half and Full Season Ticket Holders any day.<br /><br />Justin Williams really stepped it up in the first 2 periods in an effort to make up for the loss of Ryan Smyth. But the fact of the matter is, I wasn't too impressed with the chemistry with Alexander Frolov on that line. Teddy Purcell is playing his way off this roster and there should be a call up from Manchester before Saturdays game against the Calgary Flames. Who will it be? Only Dean Lombardi knows.<br /><br />Check out the awesome <a href="http://www.flyersgoalscoredby.com/">Flyers Goal Scored By</a> and <a href="http://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Broad Street Hockey</a> for their view from what I hope will one day be called Los Angeles Kings East.<br /></div></div></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-364105542969919902009-11-18T11:45:00.000-08:002009-11-18T13:38:19.116-08:00Our Kingdom for a Left WingerWell, shit. The single reason for the Los Angeles Kings playing so well 22 games into this season is now <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=1598">out for a month</a>. Oh you are right... Ryan Smyth wasn't the <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">only</span> reason that the Kings are playing so well... more like he's the reason Anze Kopitar is the NHL's leading scorer. I just don't know how to react to news like this.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79F4OaLd25W3cw_MhiwhZTIvQYg8vthT5ujkdAvfvahmM4Io6dYVLe6TUzwXgF1JdgwDlu-h2ghegti5JAIS60hESgX_KRoYp1Gio3oOTqdDMS-utNydqIFtfv1HE7KIyRa62uynJKx7j/s1600/fan+scream.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79F4OaLd25W3cw_MhiwhZTIvQYg8vthT5ujkdAvfvahmM4Io6dYVLe6TUzwXgF1JdgwDlu-h2ghegti5JAIS60hESgX_KRoYp1Gio3oOTqdDMS-utNydqIFtfv1HE7KIyRa62uynJKx7j/s400/fan+scream.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405535602325102754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">No... not quite it. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2o0eMLxmXRIE3fyqGmQjz_8RvPY2SBJ1aZ7_Uyo_rBEigk0IrlQnM10xP2-IKGYsKYDX_UVccQgeOmeIoY-v0vVROXUKrcRTqziBhbANejW7ZtPrtUnzjMpYbHIyRGYgH9YuSY5BevLnh/s1600/tx.smyth2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2o0eMLxmXRIE3fyqGmQjz_8RvPY2SBJ1aZ7_Uyo_rBEigk0IrlQnM10xP2-IKGYsKYDX_UVccQgeOmeIoY-v0vVROXUKrcRTqziBhbANejW7ZtPrtUnzjMpYbHIyRGYgH9YuSY5BevLnh/s400/tx.smyth2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405535604886832114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Yeah... that's more like how I'm feeling right now. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So what does this mean for the Kings? Well, it means one Kings fan is <a href="http://www.battleofcali.com/2009/11/18/1163016/kings-gameday-ffffuuuuuuu">ecstatic</a>. But for the rest of us Kings fans, Smyth being out is not so good. It means one of the Kings veteran leaders (33 year old veteran leader!) is out for a crucial month. With the NHL schedule truncated this year because of the February Olympics, getting as many points as possible in November and December is more important than usual. In terms of the 1st line, when Justin Williams was out for 5 games, Wayne Simmonds stepped in and played excellent. But to replace Smyth is a whole other issue. You just can't jump onto a line and do the little things that Smyth does. So who does Coach Murray look to in order to fill the the giant wingspan of Ryan Alexander Gordon Smyth?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-N85Tut3WYW2I9i5a_zrzPvfY5DDHygBYIH8lFlYFjMYSh0JpvRdxOZn8YWUc3f572vrxFT6AhzFh9lV_qRjz_b1PbQEElpcE-oKcEg9qDt9bZhn5OAJJf58a1mn9qIvi_STi1x83D01/s1600/deuche+shirt.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-N85Tut3WYW2I9i5a_zrzPvfY5DDHygBYIH8lFlYFjMYSh0JpvRdxOZn8YWUc3f572vrxFT6AhzFh9lV_qRjz_b1PbQEElpcE-oKcEg9qDt9bZhn5OAJJf58a1mn9qIvi_STi1x83D01/s400/deuche+shirt.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405535613991363058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Ugh, really? This guy?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">That's right. Alexander Frolov has been named as Smyth's replacement on the 1st line. 2 years ago, I would have been excited about this move. But this season... well I think this IM discussion between <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> and myself says it all...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfHWBwx8V5qUcnlxfrKzoRe_JI8XaQWY1NsaCo_IMsb8kJPsvQmSGtY-_USyGB4FC6Ph8f1t7xga0A03Ph03VucTrU4LK0bGRMXKEHWhnZVtpmT3argsj4_evXW80Q59JJ6yzCeLcKG0_/s1600/frolov+chat.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 369px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfHWBwx8V5qUcnlxfrKzoRe_JI8XaQWY1NsaCo_IMsb8kJPsvQmSGtY-_USyGB4FC6Ph8f1t7xga0A03Ph03VucTrU4LK0bGRMXKEHWhnZVtpmT3argsj4_evXW80Q59JJ6yzCeLcKG0_/s400/frolov+chat.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405538300233234882" border="0" /></a><br />I was once the biggest Frolov fan. In his rookie season, I remember watching him and saying "man, that guy can really hold onto the puck." But 6 seasons later... Frolov is still holding onto the puck and is probably the least impactful 30 goal scorer around. And yes, I know that Coach Murray has re-designed the type of player that Frolov is and made him into a great defensive forward... but I'm just tired of being frustrated by him. Frolov's contract is up at the end of this season and I can't imagine any scenario where Dean Lombardi doesn't trade him for an impact player for the playoffs or even a ton of draft picks, which I'd be fine with. So once Frolov fails on the 1st line tonight, who will take his place?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_eatDIXAaSQ53WtjZtlFUltUPcvnZpzKKBJPcroz2SMlGGxV3OkW6fNxYVB7PSjUr-DXyBpGA3ej81KPiogwC9wVVoux8xlR2LM2DrA1nKnhouhbAE7qnbINyYuVbfx0QPnyvUu6ZTAk/s1600/parseheadshot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_eatDIXAaSQ53WtjZtlFUltUPcvnZpzKKBJPcroz2SMlGGxV3OkW6fNxYVB7PSjUr-DXyBpGA3ej81KPiogwC9wVVoux8xlR2LM2DrA1nKnhouhbAE7qnbINyYuVbfx0QPnyvUu6ZTAk/s400/parseheadshot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405540074487065714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">It's Scott Parse... there is no way you should have known this was him. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Even though Scott Parse is a right winger, I'd like to see what he can do with Kopitar and Williams. But then you run the risk of splitting up the hunched over, little guy line of Jarret Stoll, Dustin Brown and Parse. Man, being an NHL head coach is hard!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfCNgeXoomF8ROfNHuOR50uEjEjueEWYLu0pvbECxVpWeq-WcJcAunL29p-MOW-c7WbZoSXssGaV_Lq8lBKbsk821JnWpRZhTPJEmCrMaJMBOkb8d1g4PfkYBKFF97dXqHYwDquhmWMHK/s1600/200px-Teddypurcell.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfCNgeXoomF8ROfNHuOR50uEjEjueEWYLu0pvbECxVpWeq-WcJcAunL29p-MOW-c7WbZoSXssGaV_Lq8lBKbsk821JnWpRZhTPJEmCrMaJMBOkb8d1g4PfkYBKFF97dXqHYwDquhmWMHK/s400/200px-Teddypurcell.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405541199180737138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Teddy Purcell plays like he signs autographs... poorly.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Yeah, I don't think Edward "Teddy" Purcell is the answer either. Do you give another chance to this guy?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZia9fpZv1DPJKTNlhr3AgS_iRHUhWjgWqmkDUJm0Brs-JC7BTcOo5B2ZQHoNO26Me8apNCF8pmVSBNZhSscNt1Jnf3yNASi5aQzrnqMTnubEoS9eufIiwXB8WI-URP_T50wlt46XFKx_a/s1600/oscar+moller.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZia9fpZv1DPJKTNlhr3AgS_iRHUhWjgWqmkDUJm0Brs-JC7BTcOo5B2ZQHoNO26Me8apNCF8pmVSBNZhSscNt1Jnf3yNASi5aQzrnqMTnubEoS9eufIiwXB8WI-URP_T50wlt46XFKx_a/s400/oscar+moller.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405542075718520450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Moller in da house.</span><br /></div></div></div><br />Short of making some trade, Coach Murray and Dean Lombardi will probably call up someone from Manchester when Frolov and Kopitar don't click and Purcell can't hang with Handzus and Simmonds. Maybe that player should be Oscar Moller? Wow, this team really has very little depth at the left wing. There was one left winger in the Kings system last year...what was his name again? Gosh, I wonder <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2009/11/16/1160711/islanders-4-bruins-1-honk-if-you">whatever happened to that guy</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY7R84eG2D_OtK7jG-LMtxGncxJZpeLeflb3e63orDB1KIFjcZ2AX5t7CD5iW9U6d5NUUnOurq6XwADyslPjNJQEedWkiscujWZcncRD77xT8hW0CruheNXT62jJT_IVT4xoCOCtZV7sB/s1600/52278_islanders_bruins_hockey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY7R84eG2D_OtK7jG-LMtxGncxJZpeLeflb3e63orDB1KIFjcZ2AX5t7CD5iW9U6d5NUUnOurq6XwADyslPjNJQEedWkiscujWZcncRD77xT8hW0CruheNXT62jJT_IVT4xoCOCtZV7sB/s400/52278_islanders_bruins_hockey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405543221539022178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">What is it about the Islanders and former Kings prospects?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Ok fine, I have the answer. I'll play with Kopitar and Williams! I usually play center but I can slide over. I'll play for free Half Season Seats next season and lunch with Heidi Androl. Put me in, Coach Murray!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLDN65ZtvMfARImVkGNdJS-yYrUvwyXMADsGjnq5VpBQ2orLb9jNUXJ87zGYAIkEPYUsNJfu3HBY7CY_GvXkxfktu2ukxwsUDnf6cNgW6A-vACyxsXIs-3WETLKvGU-0sKSPsEyglTxlO/s1600/Flames+Solo+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLDN65ZtvMfARImVkGNdJS-yYrUvwyXMADsGjnq5VpBQ2orLb9jNUXJ87zGYAIkEPYUsNJfu3HBY7CY_GvXkxfktu2ukxwsUDnf6cNgW6A-vACyxsXIs-3WETLKvGU-0sKSPsEyglTxlO/s400/Flames+Solo+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405552591086380322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">What up Valley Flames, circa '89!</span><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This is game 23 for the Los Angeles Kings tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers. Every game is huge, but here is another great chance for the Kings to make a statement to the rest of the NHL about how serious this team is. Sure you can squeak by victories from the Carolina's, Tampa Bay's and Florida's of this league... but if you want to go deep in the playoffs... you gotta beat the best teams.<br /><br />If you want quarter pole analysis of the Kings... then you are in the wrong place. Look <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/latimes/sports/hockey/nhl/kings/%7E3/ylWSmDr06n0/lat-sp-fox18-link,0,2013433.storylink">here</a> instead. But... after passing the 1/4 point of the NHL season... yeah, I'd say I've been pretty happy with the team so far. I might even be besides myself with how they've played. Smyth being out for at least a month will be the first real challenge this team has faced this season. It could be worse... have you seen Pittsburgh's <a href="http://www.thepensblog.com/pensblog/october-2009/it-never-ends.html">defense lately</a>? Or it could be Anaheim where former King Kyle Calder is <a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2009/11/14/1157615/ducks-recall-calder">now playing</a> on their first line. (Wait.. what?!?)<br /><br />Speaking of Kyle Calder's new team... it's not so much about how well the Kings have played during their first 20 games... but rather about how poorly the Ducks have. Check out this incredibly informative <a href="http://twitter.com/earlsleek">tweet</a> from <a href="http://battleofcali.com/">Battle of California's</a> Earl Sleek:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcJx4vhuDoDqCy_gRp-yB_w6ms1i9ExkYXCTGzxUxssItTpI403EYOFEVyGq4CwFmxXGeE5gnII7SKcVSWRZIXSAeA1zM8N-kDKA5dkJYWikmoR1F5xDuFazTEY88xzB6jgBRKSJm7qCx/s1600/sleek+tweet.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 74px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcJx4vhuDoDqCy_gRp-yB_w6ms1i9ExkYXCTGzxUxssItTpI403EYOFEVyGq4CwFmxXGeE5gnII7SKcVSWRZIXSAeA1zM8N-kDKA5dkJYWikmoR1F5xDuFazTEY88xzB6jgBRKSJm7qCx/s400/sleek+tweet.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405550026758951842" border="0" /></a>Ahh... Ducks fans... this is how it's felt for 8 years. Get used to it.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-26198485280498610142009-11-17T00:06:00.000-08:002009-11-17T02:56:40.762-08:00Hounding the CompetitionUgly, ugly, ugly. Ugly jerseys, ugly camera angles and what an ugly game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Florida Panthers tonight. Imagine what the Kings could have done had they actually been interested in playing in this game. We haven't said it all that much at The Royal Half this season... but goaltender Jon Quick kept the lackluster Kings in this game. Man... did I mention those ugly uniforms?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8PbDjOezEHcfu2SwjY1y-g8eBXKJh6WKfcuCBhV9F2fr90nzRPE-rULRjBt1C1KZFdFUKnUKXr43WjWzMMJgDqrVpDvespBkKic2ZDDodJZpbgiErMgP5oFLeZ7xP_RampDAwK2tAv9Z/s1600/ugly+jerseys.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8PbDjOezEHcfu2SwjY1y-g8eBXKJh6WKfcuCBhV9F2fr90nzRPE-rULRjBt1C1KZFdFUKnUKXr43WjWzMMJgDqrVpDvespBkKic2ZDDodJZpbgiErMgP5oFLeZ7xP_RampDAwK2tAv9Z/s400/ugly+jerseys.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405013467283564818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Who thought this looked good?<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kings 4</span>, Panthers of Florida 3</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">How about that Scott Parse, huh? That little guy banged his way all over the ice, especially in the first period. I really noticed him out there tonight and that wasn't just because he made his first NHL in-between periods interview.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKUqcQ1usiC56fHu6Tq45j8QqNm8nDa4ZiGUbpAkC-KOkjlYttc3vdXr5Z0AJ1CyFz0DnzVVms70wGVgowgLwrbnIHbxbRJHuWkEocGtfph_DAdrzFpzzPKtpfRryJqNppNBPKOapMANJ/s1600/parse+intv+teeth.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKUqcQ1usiC56fHu6Tq45j8QqNm8nDa4ZiGUbpAkC-KOkjlYttc3vdXr5Z0AJ1CyFz0DnzVVms70wGVgowgLwrbnIHbxbRJHuWkEocGtfph_DAdrzFpzzPKtpfRryJqNppNBPKOapMANJ/s400/parse+intv+teeth.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405013447605962754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">No, I noticed Parse because of his crazy Vampire hockey teeth. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I've decided that Scott Parse, Dustin Brown and Jarret Stoll aren't really a hockey line but rather they are all the same hunched over, hyperactive skating, little person. Either that or Craig Conroy is back on the Kings.<br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZfUQlMlQBPOHAonpOrrPUBoVfMRZoitytF2vsbM9_yP00D8tDqrcKjwtEQrq94E7UMqlcnNYBbpTXZAOrJcaDnmuuDzcg83q6tmdqjbpeR3VWv7dI4aSnHIU7dgf6IDRZvNeNIYVs-M4/s1600/72957145.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZfUQlMlQBPOHAonpOrrPUBoVfMRZoitytF2vsbM9_yP00D8tDqrcKjwtEQrq94E7UMqlcnNYBbpTXZAOrJcaDnmuuDzcg83q6tmdqjbpeR3VWv7dI4aSnHIU7dgf6IDRZvNeNIYVs-M4/s400/72957145.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405016319510726082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This is pretty much what each of those 3 guys look like on the ice. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Tonight, the worst move by the Kings wasn't even on the ice... it was on Twitter... as the Kings PR department tried to <a href="http://twitter.com/LAKingsHockey/statuses/5781307677">force on us</a> fans a horrible, just horrible nickname for <span style="font-style: italic;">Kings Insider</span>™ Rich Hammond....<br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2h6IUY3Vi-L9qiPn8cfXbe35KQnyCzaPrJW6ex-K2TCYtfxultVEV8A42Uo0JAs9zVLXmuOcEAfXjCzS3yVFvHVpcLWPjv-SYbKTV87CupxU3-sGrYJSEudXPZRjJVjD6EIZtYbJWzYl/s1600/fox+un+de+hound.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2h6IUY3Vi-L9qiPn8cfXbe35KQnyCzaPrJW6ex-K2TCYtfxultVEV8A42Uo0JAs9zVLXmuOcEAfXjCzS3yVFvHVpcLWPjv-SYbKTV87CupxU3-sGrYJSEudXPZRjJVjD6EIZtYbJWzYl/s400/fox+un+de+hound.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405016322367495346" border="0" /></a><br />Yeah, I can already see the graphic being created for the intermission chat between Jim Fox and Rich Hammond. It will look like this... but with more "Foxy and the Hound."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnzj0eHKAn-Lze2H2LnzkN0Y0EBJNcuGWhO1XmgRtKGgDDfOh5-RONU6lBuhTvUlcVGWnSkrOqqw6ZDaXYfExHzywdwdj6jocoov6Q6wBuf4QZSEYgtR07Yof7dV-sLPti3U-xVasR_PJ/s1600/Picture+6.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnzj0eHKAn-Lze2H2LnzkN0Y0EBJNcuGWhO1XmgRtKGgDDfOh5-RONU6lBuhTvUlcVGWnSkrOqqw6ZDaXYfExHzywdwdj6jocoov6Q6wBuf4QZSEYgtR07Yof7dV-sLPti3U-xVasR_PJ/s400/Picture+6.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405018548479391650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Don't think Fox Sports West is better than this. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">They've done it before. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, what's that? Fox Sports West already has the graphic ready for this segment? Well let's roll that in...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMWM_r_rtQ3Aq8m9cdvmYCo7JjaS8WVs3V9kU17aGnddODm_ODfcK7opRqfbO8NsHnXadloWQy51AOhyB4wG1HH_qVI3hGDeyka7_wa3VjlRSSTFLfNKpmCLOSpHNi1V4Qa2shx3zak7R/s1600/foxandthehound.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMWM_r_rtQ3Aq8m9cdvmYCo7JjaS8WVs3V9kU17aGnddODm_ODfcK7opRqfbO8NsHnXadloWQy51AOhyB4wG1HH_qVI3hGDeyka7_wa3VjlRSSTFLfNKpmCLOSpHNi1V4Qa2shx3zak7R/s400/foxandthehound.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405019052565866194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Yeah, this is pretty much what happens on those cross-country plane trips.<br />I like to pretend that the owl is Drew Doughty.<br /><br /></span></div>Did I mention how ugly the Florida Panthers uniforms are?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDi29iU9ytGxzapZ2AWGrx2Sza711tPuajzXj7VRwjvOcFVuaS1umsCYdL-rZ_IeX2XP5CEW2YT9yIMGhqHmT9R_I5xWrFeIJ1G8uhGTz3PmMtPN6TEVvOQDE-ZBvU54PtBvQDShWV1Zk/s1600/more+ugly+unis.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDi29iU9ytGxzapZ2AWGrx2Sza711tPuajzXj7VRwjvOcFVuaS1umsCYdL-rZ_IeX2XP5CEW2YT9yIMGhqHmT9R_I5xWrFeIJ1G8uhGTz3PmMtPN6TEVvOQDE-ZBvU54PtBvQDShWV1Zk/s400/more+ugly+unis.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405013437930606402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Even this particular screengrab does not distract me from those ugly uniforms. </span><br /></div><br />I mean... does anything look good in those goofy colors?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqNFRzb0Sciy-GTlt6E6wiHzKbUD9pCOdi7f_-wM6igCEfX1vuhtb1uBLiSMGdaZCyAEJADPt9Co1_T_H7YandMokNT4Lvzkfwzo8q3fdfI8aP4Wmb5xriWc-xloObLLROdgJdKPXbkkq/s1600/cheer.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqNFRzb0Sciy-GTlt6E6wiHzKbUD9pCOdi7f_-wM6igCEfX1vuhtb1uBLiSMGdaZCyAEJADPt9Co1_T_H7YandMokNT4Lvzkfwzo8q3fdfI8aP4Wmb5xriWc-xloObLLROdgJdKPXbkkq/s400/cheer.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405013428995332562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh... I see what you did there. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Jon Quick is the reason the Kings walked away from this game with 2 points. Even when the Kings were leading (you totally had a short-handed 3rd period goal from Randy Jones in your office pool, didn't you?) they looked like they could care less about this game. Quick's play was very steady... including a couple great saves in the 3rd when he stood up tall like everyone has been asking him to. When the Kings were trying so hard to give this game away (I'm looking at you Jack Johnson) Jon Quick kept his cool and pulled out a victory for this team.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1A8B3-0v3S4-cy2fm2_IAdeHZCbbC62dGlTc_breWtDX5mqFxzwBnB-01S5Dw2WHQCNfE-liQFtymS3kQJmvW79Y7Tej-Dcjjm5lJ6lUqz9MMW78SW44m_CzgcJwxJ9NQyvd32AONOU5/s1600/quick+dead+stare.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1A8B3-0v3S4-cy2fm2_IAdeHZCbbC62dGlTc_breWtDX5mqFxzwBnB-01S5Dw2WHQCNfE-liQFtymS3kQJmvW79Y7Tej-Dcjjm5lJ6lUqz9MMW78SW44m_CzgcJwxJ9NQyvd32AONOU5/s400/quick+dead+stare.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405013458821727394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I pretty much knew when Ryan Smyth took that awkward hip check that he was going to be out for the game. It's strange... when Justin Williams was out a week or two ago, I didn't notice as much... maybe because Wayne Simmonds did so well in his absence. But with Ryan Smyth out tonight... I felt like Alexander Frolov looked out of place on the 1st line and Brad Richardson looked downright scary on the 3rd line. Paging Teddy Purcell! What are you doing on Wednesday? Probably playing NHL hockey, that's what!<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-21455796170499581312009-11-16T07:26:00.000-08:002009-11-16T08:54:26.820-08:00Weekend WarriorsWell, that's not exactly how I would have liked to seen these 2 weekend games play out... but in the end, the Kings have a chance to end this 5 game roadtrip 3-2. Considering the way the Kings played Friday night against the Atlanta Thrashers... finishing this road trip above .500 would be enough to make any Kings fans scream.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwTg2l415-Zi43QNqFkasYZX_afbUv0q56-9ENWOhMRD-TnL3e-V69Nsv-AXq3sPhQAm2pac19fzQvWtR1CqLD5i-KuEHDafEipetiqT76iuY1Pe7qZ5jni81ryFIe2iJtG4ko7mxqEAx/s1600/fan+scream.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwTg2l415-Zi43QNqFkasYZX_afbUv0q56-9ENWOhMRD-TnL3e-V69Nsv-AXq3sPhQAm2pac19fzQvWtR1CqLD5i-KuEHDafEipetiqT76iuY1Pe7qZ5jni81ryFIe2iJtG4ko7mxqEAx/s400/fan+scream.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404723829069085778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Eh... after the 2nd period you may not be as excited to see this game. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Atlanta Thrashers 7</span>, Los Angeles Kings 0<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Even after the 2nd period... when it was "only" 4-0 Thrashers... two thoughts came to mind... one was "even though they are down 4-0 how is it possible that the Kings are kinda dominating this game?" and secondly... "what the hell is this goalies name?"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZhZkT3LRsmcLUMSAnOtS4MBAm5I0qmUVutUIqFhFXMxfvSdxbBMYame3VDwNyjD8QwTgmwdwHOwYq8pBGNi_aYk6Y5iEA4RGnaHbpg0rxW6kv-NWoxWTlXRzd_XoQKoPOrmQm1zeg8P3/s1600/andre.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZhZkT3LRsmcLUMSAnOtS4MBAm5I0qmUVutUIqFhFXMxfvSdxbBMYame3VDwNyjD8QwTgmwdwHOwYq8pBGNi_aYk6Y5iEA4RGnaHbpg0rxW6kv-NWoxWTlXRzd_XoQKoPOrmQm1zeg8P3/s400/andre.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404723815061710658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Seems like a long way to go just for "Andre."</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Kings lost this game. Badly. But it's not often that you see a team lose 7-0 and outshoot the opposing team 38-21. It's enough to make Kings fans want to give the team a stink-eye.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeTfruVjvAk3cGPNOiLso1xkf-cBFPt2fPLnqkG7rwfmSXBQ8qml3B6S-5lIE2vFfrZDKOFAxEyzPGUhTQb_uXo0GjrcQmMTxUbsKnCu-SSlV1eCQsIIiTgwwJgTM3Bha4ogNsljnBJ3-/s1600/jj+stink+eye.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeTfruVjvAk3cGPNOiLso1xkf-cBFPt2fPLnqkG7rwfmSXBQ8qml3B6S-5lIE2vFfrZDKOFAxEyzPGUhTQb_uXo0GjrcQmMTxUbsKnCu-SSlV1eCQsIIiTgwwJgTM3Bha4ogNsljnBJ3-/s400/jj+stink+eye.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404723841772971202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm coming for you Jack Johnson. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Kings just weren't prepared for this game. Maybe they were frightened by playing more hockey in the deep south... you see things at these games that you just don't see elsewhere in the league.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nlghhOhH7IyUDZr7OuwZ3csTUJY23_vVvCODqqu_s0qxfh-QVNifsAroJG8riUb2NYd4VlZEXW1graxlztkGNo4Qwe4-a0-v7ENOm74XSk8Btbd970x3MlwqoR0P01rPf9gxI6PFm9oG/s1600/cows.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nlghhOhH7IyUDZr7OuwZ3csTUJY23_vVvCODqqu_s0qxfh-QVNifsAroJG8riUb2NYd4VlZEXW1graxlztkGNo4Qwe4-a0-v7ENOm74XSk8Btbd970x3MlwqoR0P01rPf9gxI6PFm9oG/s400/cows.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404723822276379538" border="0" /></a><br />Or maybe they were just spooked by this leftover Halloween decoration.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZEvX8e8vI9WrRc-gflmGQ26V3PMOm8oifrYtR6bHrD6fq6NvLAjxFXpan5beRJE_wSr8ZAHrf6NxQGZHGKOUJZHG_Gh6owmcF_h7t_rrTp8NUVbp3cavnmc1GFhQN2s_1DyXwwJTZ1-m/s1600/thrash.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZEvX8e8vI9WrRc-gflmGQ26V3PMOm8oifrYtR6bHrD6fq6NvLAjxFXpan5beRJE_wSr8ZAHrf6NxQGZHGKOUJZHG_Gh6owmcF_h7t_rrTp8NUVbp3cavnmc1GFhQN2s_1DyXwwJTZ1-m/s400/thrash.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404724070567069922" border="0" /></a><br />And with another poor game played by Jon Quick... it gets more and more awkward in the Kings locker room.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkVFSNSc6YvJ8slfcVw76LESYcaOP266OKNgGLmx6ehi71VLsqN2ovdJEY92_h_bcKUMARxeWHeNWqFn3pGiXX1vtGEKsFGGiY27uFsFDw2M3YB-GiNcMEHNEKxsE2reRqTGLhpBBWLez/s1600/quick+alone.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkVFSNSc6YvJ8slfcVw76LESYcaOP266OKNgGLmx6ehi71VLsqN2ovdJEY92_h_bcKUMARxeWHeNWqFn3pGiXX1vtGEKsFGGiY27uFsFDw2M3YB-GiNcMEHNEKxsE2reRqTGLhpBBWLez/s400/quick+alone.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404724060421973442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >"That's cool guys, I'll just wait here till you are all changed."</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Is it just me or did Rich Hammond get some serious "hockey correspondent" training since the last time he appeared on the air with Jim Fox? Because Hammond was rocking it during this segment. I totally feel that within 3 years Rich Hammond will be known as "Hammy" and is going to be on ESPN, VS or whatever major cable operator is broadcasting the NHL. (Animal Planet) As <span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> pointed out... Hammond does much better with Fox than he did with Bob Miller. But that's only because Jim Fox knows what a "blog" is.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2v-SM3uFAjYvJVTGNnrVfuZOAmZFV_uNyG3fnl5nrG6XQaMKrPmaK8x_XJNg1Xs3Y8EJ9oxVGvm8FijltXC-OUF1zORMBrcll0YwPNdOLrEzPLmMmEuR1TlAH7Sk3kn1nKZdrX56SIgM/s1600/hammy.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2v-SM3uFAjYvJVTGNnrVfuZOAmZFV_uNyG3fnl5nrG6XQaMKrPmaK8x_XJNg1Xs3Y8EJ9oxVGvm8FijltXC-OUF1zORMBrcll0YwPNdOLrEzPLmMmEuR1TlAH7Sk3kn1nKZdrX56SIgM/s400/hammy.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404723829723353506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Good Evening, I'm Rich Hammond and this is the latest in your Kopitar news.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">So you get smashed 7-0 to a team you probably should have been able to beat. Your goalie was pulled after 3 goals, has looked shaky the last few games and also had a talking to by the coach and assistant GM. In pro sports you are always given the luxury of having the next game to redeem yourself. Or to at least save face.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kings 2</span>, NHL Referee's 1<br /><br /><iframe src="http://kings.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?catid=-3&id=51576" frameborder="0" height="289" width="480"></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The controversy in question. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I've been watching the NHL a long time... and I don't know if I've ever seen something like that. As a Kings fan... I'll take the extra point earned with a shootout victory... but if I'm a Tampa Bay Lightning fan... I'm pissed!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-A_S9Yt99n4f5xrEUHZwoUx7IyN7-vo64dOBi6kIyWzpoeXvR4OE7NhK7IS4vyrW0ScrL6TIXF17PaICGCEURALZL0Yo0z4O3VOwnEQXeh2Tfnj7wQT2UvD0-OaH_Pw6J9ARiJrBnve3n/s1600/do+smile.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-A_S9Yt99n4f5xrEUHZwoUx7IyN7-vo64dOBi6kIyWzpoeXvR4OE7NhK7IS4vyrW0ScrL6TIXF17PaICGCEURALZL0Yo0z4O3VOwnEQXeh2Tfnj7wQT2UvD0-OaH_Pw6J9ARiJrBnve3n/s400/do+smile.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404729678907609650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">OMG! I can't believe they waved that goal off!<br />Here comes the ref...don't look, don't look, don't look!<br />Dude, there is no way I'll keep a straight face on the next shift!</span><br /></div></div></div><br />The best part of this play (besides the fact that it took a victory away from the team that deserved it) was Jon Quick's.... um... quick response to the fact that he knew it wasn't a goal. From <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=1488">LAKings Insider</a>...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(on the goalie interference in overtime…)</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">QUICK: “There was a play in the first that was pretty similar. The ref told me that if that went in, it wouldn’t have been a goal. It was worth a shot to give him my piece of mind there in overtime. It ended up working out.”</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></div><br /></div></div></div></div>So the... um... quick thinking of Jon Quick earned an extra point for the Kings. And lets not just praise Quick's brain in this game... he played quite well against a much improved Lightning team. That Steve Stamkos sure looks like the real deal to me. In fact, the only thing the Kings didn't seem prepared for was the Lightning sideline reporter.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9GqDv3whvvKUR6vt0HbaW2uRTiwRnK8sDdQaxGfeVlAftHjPm2csx0ywYtkXSv6s3Ru76QlibpkEWhvJGzHRN2UhmWfvgjTIyCl-w_Zy3yOd1vzD_VX5m6ywrUhwy4ES3SGKHdR5wrWZ/s1600/whit+watson.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9GqDv3whvvKUR6vt0HbaW2uRTiwRnK8sDdQaxGfeVlAftHjPm2csx0ywYtkXSv6s3Ru76QlibpkEWhvJGzHRN2UhmWfvgjTIyCl-w_Zy3yOd1vzD_VX5m6ywrUhwy4ES3SGKHdR5wrWZ/s400/whit+watson.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404729712994023794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Whit Watson! With all your hockey news and notes!<br />(Said in ole timey fashioned reporters voice)<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">With his creepy, piercing blue eyes staring at me the whole game... this was the first time in a long while where I said "why couldn't they just have a cute female sideline reporter do this interview instead of grown up <a href="http://www.starstore.com/acatalog/chucky-life-h.jpg">Chucky</a>?"</span> Whit Watson seems to be quite the regional celebrity and even has his own <a href="http://whitwatson.sunsportstv.com/">blog</a>!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrSu9k-B5Jvp4Jq-O4RuM84fBy2YE737MSZAog71HyueX6Hvi_l3DuLgb5vuujYGfh8nDdtFK4Va1rZLmbvpNKJctrlfvfT142p-6jXJn-MHmVdt-AY1SxTwSjZdlSJJ4pbpT-eg0TT4o/s1600/Picture+16.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 86px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrSu9k-B5Jvp4Jq-O4RuM84fBy2YE737MSZAog71HyueX6Hvi_l3DuLgb5vuujYGfh8nDdtFK4Va1rZLmbvpNKJctrlfvfT142p-6jXJn-MHmVdt-AY1SxTwSjZdlSJJ4pbpT-eg0TT4o/s400/Picture+16.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404735797416680642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm glad the artists name is on this...<br />because I want to let him know</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> it looks nothing like Whit. </span><br /></div><br />Besides the distraction of Whit Watson... I was really pleased with the overall broadcast from Fox Sports Florida. The quality of the HD was some of the best I've seen from a road game and they did a great job with informative graphics that will make Kings fans happy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSD4KGSNSt75CAZq0bjlcYFS7DJ8tYarjcnkfau2pq1XNIykbT04tokMltY_pxskmFRJ53Ul6rpz2S-EgCbjEC9xmp3Kq07u09p26R0BmAH7mQ85n7aQQQ8Rt7sT0e_ZZD6C3-mus3Y_9M/s1600/leading+kopi.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSD4KGSNSt75CAZq0bjlcYFS7DJ8tYarjcnkfau2pq1XNIykbT04tokMltY_pxskmFRJ53Ul6rpz2S-EgCbjEC9xmp3Kq07u09p26R0BmAH7mQ85n7aQQQ8Rt7sT0e_ZZD6C3-mus3Y_9M/s400/leading+kopi.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404729697736613570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm totally not getting tired of this. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In fact, the only strange thing about the Lightning broadcast on Fox Sports Florida was the stunt casting they did by bringing in Ray Liotta to coach their special teams.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpo_nJvIzIgmndr5kk17oc1RTrkU6_l0L769-d-rmucZwT4c9PpHjXamv7K7JqiPliwjQ61jPaIdxgoiVnHb2zjvfcqEOjBJHwZZ911vxp1lXzcPoAHJUQBzCZKnuEtdjr21oA3h84hEOn/s1600/oates.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpo_nJvIzIgmndr5kk17oc1RTrkU6_l0L769-d-rmucZwT4c9PpHjXamv7K7JqiPliwjQ61jPaIdxgoiVnHb2zjvfcqEOjBJHwZZ911vxp1lXzcPoAHJUQBzCZKnuEtdjr21oA3h84hEOn/s400/oates.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404729703472695266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be an assistant coach.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Oh man! An Adam Oates spotting! I love that players I watched growing up are now assistant coaches on teams like Tampa Bay. </span>It's almost as cool as when the favorite players on your team act out scenes from your favorite movies! Is it just me or is Michal Handzus doing his best Harrison Ford here?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZrP03qbGlUB18Pz_BDVrVY2mR4IBzlBqQgr6Xap31uKl4VCVvLOOykhfsFN_Dne5WiE2fMs1udFARyuoG-JWXIOzrWaNhfiIbMOjwGBlL5C7sqY8I27X-BlbdhQPQLXF3XdDO7tEmlBZ/s1600/handzs+solo.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZrP03qbGlUB18Pz_BDVrVY2mR4IBzlBqQgr6Xap31uKl4VCVvLOOykhfsFN_Dne5WiE2fMs1udFARyuoG-JWXIOzrWaNhfiIbMOjwGBlL5C7sqY8I27X-BlbdhQPQLXF3XdDO7tEmlBZ/s400/handzs+solo.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404729690540453058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Hanz Solo.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKuNj4g1cS9uE7-55X-bC6C67TS29fvyjv68HTt__YC8THy6mClQFZ5VfkL7wW8-WFnDXr0RY6rQEfXAc42lF_UTcnLk-DN9l4V3PHblcR0Pke65x5ibRcL6ixNAq87pTGG4FfP9jU3QW/s1600/han-solo-lando-calrissian.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKuNj4g1cS9uE7-55X-bC6C67TS29fvyjv68HTt__YC8THy6mClQFZ5VfkL7wW8-WFnDXr0RY6rQEfXAc42lF_UTcnLk-DN9l4V3PHblcR0Pke65x5ibRcL6ixNAq87pTGG4FfP9jU3QW/s400/han-solo-lando-calrissian.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404738811010590418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvf9cD9bT2tRSnH6JRJ8KK9csXiErp6lK1OHAeplzCPq_ECJkbWUbC9oDlRujuQkwIDLGQqwKMuy6e1lzP-sCeXGnJdzOC5PY1QVbpxJoUQGYMA447jJnJXlxreveDcehQZCXlD7jRmfF/s1600/han-solo-lando-calrissian.jpg"><br /></a></div></div></div>So the Kings are barely scraping their way out of the Southeast Division (thank god we don't have to face the Capitals) and they end their 5 game journey to the south tonight in Sunrise, Florida against the Florida Panthers. The Panthers are the 3rd worst team in the East. I hardly knew anyone on the Florida roster when they still had Jay Bouwmeester... let alone now. Pretty much the only name I know on their roster is the former King, Steve Reinprecht. And that's what scares me about this game tonight. Enough to make me scream.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwTg2l415-Zi43QNqFkasYZX_afbUv0q56-9ENWOhMRD-TnL3e-V69Nsv-AXq3sPhQAm2pac19fzQvWtR1CqLD5i-KuEHDafEipetiqT76iuY1Pe7qZ5jni81ryFIe2iJtG4ko7mxqEAx/s1600/fan+scream.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwTg2l415-Zi43QNqFkasYZX_afbUv0q56-9ENWOhMRD-TnL3e-V69Nsv-AXq3sPhQAm2pac19fzQvWtR1CqLD5i-KuEHDafEipetiqT76iuY1Pe7qZ5jni81ryFIe2iJtG4ko7mxqEAx/s400/fan+scream.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404723829069085778" border="0" /></a><br />As always, check out the insightful <a href="http://www.litterboxcats.com/">LitterBoxCats</a> for all things Panther related. (at least to Ice Hockey and Panthers.)<br /></div></div></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-16100779048288985782009-11-13T12:48:00.000-08:002009-11-13T16:13:20.453-08:00Front Page PowerBack when the Los Angeles Kings were terrible (as recent as last season)... the Kings marketing department wouldn't so much sell the Kings team but rather the particular team they happened to be playing that night. Seen the front page of the Atlanta Thrashers website lately?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0vGXRRY8R3DzJL4xmfOSZtm2gN1tqgVMFJ4v_SBJ-BmCnrxNxklx9QKBuzlnOZEbxH-80JLPjpcejEIRM3pdECMKfp-OIAB95WFtHnjBsP7h-KXBGNU6GKhY4x7_IaBNpr99AJ_VkReH/s1600-h/Picture+16.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0vGXRRY8R3DzJL4xmfOSZtm2gN1tqgVMFJ4v_SBJ-BmCnrxNxklx9QKBuzlnOZEbxH-80JLPjpcejEIRM3pdECMKfp-OIAB95WFtHnjBsP7h-KXBGNU6GKhY4x7_IaBNpr99AJ_VkReH/s400/Picture+16.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403731640052234754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I still can't get over seeing "NHL Scoring Leader" and "Kopitar" in the same sentence.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It's true... the Kings have turned into a road draw. I never thought I'd see the day. But lest you think </span>that Kovalchuk vs Kopitar is the only battle going on tonight in the great state of Atlanta. No... it's also the battle of the under 20, studly defensemen as 19-Year-Old Drew Doughty takes on 19-Year-Old Zach Bogosian. That particular storyline only made the front page of NHL.com.<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGG0Ex8f9G4DNmfNiGoeAwMTKgFCLiOFeTO_9urFeWQCJJwXHx3v13OqwC9AGeSN-pH3ik5SDDwb5nUie0qXnsUKOG24m84IHMXkZk43u_yGfTVqXkwqFbzRPNW1fvawG-4XZJhbId5dha/s1600-h/Picture+17.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGG0Ex8f9G4DNmfNiGoeAwMTKgFCLiOFeTO_9urFeWQCJJwXHx3v13OqwC9AGeSN-pH3ik5SDDwb5nUie0qXnsUKOG24m84IHMXkZk43u_yGfTVqXkwqFbzRPNW1fvawG-4XZJhbId5dha/s400/Picture+17.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403731648663522466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">'When Kids Collide' sounds like a Dateline NBC special.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It's the 20th game of the season for the Kings. 1/4 of the season gone. And the Kings are the 6th best team in the NHL.<br /><br />As always, check out the incomparable HildyMac at <a href="http://wazzupwitchu.blogspot.com/">Wazzupwitchu</a> for all your Thrashers (and Blues!) needs.<br /></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-64898687182292338392009-11-12T08:26:00.001-08:002009-11-12T12:06:13.245-08:00Keeping Up with The JonesesSo I sit down on the couch, ready to watch exciting Los Angeles Kings action for the first time in 2 games... and when I turn on the tv... (oh just show the screengrab already, this joke is getting so old!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnq6w9HP4GVNqnBFZWqmmk9DnAscuPsjpochvSb3Rdt1HMDC5Pa4xTltL9vFVuz-G8gjtGyJrLiYgCbUCDd-8zYyKNKi-3T2BF7wNmUumNCbaGjypZHwtIeR6fS0V-f20KSs3K6eC2yE-/s1600-h/tech+diff.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnq6w9HP4GVNqnBFZWqmmk9DnAscuPsjpochvSb3Rdt1HMDC5Pa4xTltL9vFVuz-G8gjtGyJrLiYgCbUCDd-8zYyKNKi-3T2BF7wNmUumNCbaGjypZHwtIeR6fS0V-f20KSs3K6eC2yE-/s400/tech+diff.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403255128429396658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Note that it is at :00 of the entire broadcast.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Sure it was annoying at first... but then Fox Sports West HD found suitable replacement programming.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAV685ipUOZH4WsgyhiIq4AP9_fL1wy6Q8SL8dplUHW1Ys7DvnD6lTojiHYoCvKWOoak-CkGsYLIz6eYKqKkYojDBqmK5Ipylmp_HjoGlYcYW8DvFLUgsZukS9NN9HTVFzltM7U545wGms/s1600-h/laker+calendar.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAV685ipUOZH4WsgyhiIq4AP9_fL1wy6Q8SL8dplUHW1Ys7DvnD6lTojiHYoCvKWOoak-CkGsYLIz6eYKqKkYojDBqmK5Ipylmp_HjoGlYcYW8DvFLUgsZukS9NN9HTVFzltM7U545wGms/s400/laker+calendar.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403255161821163618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This better be in HD. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Eventually, the game came back on and this time... the Kings didn't disappoint. They played an even, consistent game and kept their composure when the Hurricanes came storming back. (Ha, get it?) So, when it comes to victories over opponents with 12 or more losses in a row, the Kings are looking pretty good right now!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kings 5</span>, Hurricanes 2<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BSnfXrTfYBPnuYF_pTpj3O6qVXgHo2Ta6IV-5g4sPOc4_NCsSqOQMW0IasEAQCvfld8q-CizCVfz-UnosIuC6MFyz45PEwQnZh4gXJMp5bHgCA30s6iwjvq5p3HW0BCKJ7cP8oG085xT/s1600-h/quick+on+the+outs.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BSnfXrTfYBPnuYF_pTpj3O6qVXgHo2Ta6IV-5g4sPOc4_NCsSqOQMW0IasEAQCvfld8q-CizCVfz-UnosIuC6MFyz45PEwQnZh4gXJMp5bHgCA30s6iwjvq5p3HW0BCKJ7cP8oG085xT/s400/quick+on+the+outs.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403255545900054498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">"Naw, that's cool guys. I'll just stay over here.<br />I mean, it's not like I was in net when we had points in 8 straight games or anything.</span>"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Well if there was one thing to learn from this game it's that Sean O'Donnell or Davis Drewiske might be on their ways to becoming a healthy scratch. Randy Jones exploded into the Kings lineup with an assist and a game winning goal. And make no mistake, that goal he scored was not an easy one. Jones was at a really tough angle to be able to put that puck in. It just shows what a total genius Dean Lombardi is.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRdkGGopOa_ikwR0OUi5RtwN7duvjmS4VrOXeZ3J7QXVIb_0Oxl3xMPChbW0uwY6_dAioT6y6HyYssyqgsnF2RwRMGBKS3__PsmIeCfCwjWyeJhGHU5-0tX99Fa6CmpwKq8XBeXcWu2Dp/s1600-h/jones+rat.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRdkGGopOa_ikwR0OUi5RtwN7duvjmS4VrOXeZ3J7QXVIb_0Oxl3xMPChbW0uwY6_dAioT6y6HyYssyqgsnF2RwRMGBKS3__PsmIeCfCwjWyeJhGHU5-0tX99Fa6CmpwKq8XBeXcWu2Dp/s400/jones+rat.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403255156509424210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">"You know Drew, the girls in the NHL are so much better than the ones in the AHL."</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">"What's the AHL?</span>"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And Randy Jones has taken an award away from Ryan Smyth... which award you ask? Why it's the "Kings Player that Most Looks Like a Muppet" Award.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOUR_gTtIz-p2ZFb9eRFY1D0cECisfWVhpLKQurfmXiMhA-zhw2qNwjmyI4GWxkp4iBOj7pIxNggZ7ELSLe93OF4QMa1s4Hy9yfAX7CQk2ra6b2su2Idcs-RmQE36Y2FnHH9BF8m2wfof/s1600-h/Rizzo1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOUR_gTtIz-p2ZFb9eRFY1D0cECisfWVhpLKQurfmXiMhA-zhw2qNwjmyI4GWxkp4iBOj7pIxNggZ7ELSLe93OF4QMa1s4Hy9yfAX7CQk2ra6b2su2Idcs-RmQE36Y2FnHH9BF8m2wfof/s400/Rizzo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403304821024396994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Another Dean Lombardi waiver wire steal.</span><br /></div><br /></div></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy</span> and I were talking last week about why NHL broadcasters don't just show the overhead goalie shot first when replaying a goal. Ok, maybe one close up of the goal and then the overhead angle. But enough with going to a replay using the angle that is the farthest away from the goal already! I still have no idea how Jarret Stoll scored that goal.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-Uz0-nVB4IQj9-zSvuauwH0WNAqrAiSD7N6jrvVyhmawf__Ohy7eg793JEtbUzTxK4cTUcsxlzkubupsCNilZoIekEy-N5CnRwRCzonYv7pmZ0-A2bT098vn0PIfWbQEkU0UXQSe-c2d/s1600-h/bob+hhof.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-Uz0-nVB4IQj9-zSvuauwH0WNAqrAiSD7N6jrvVyhmawf__Ohy7eg793JEtbUzTxK4cTUcsxlzkubupsCNilZoIekEy-N5CnRwRCzonYv7pmZ0-A2bT098vn0PIfWbQEkU0UXQSe-c2d/s400/bob+hhof.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403255149043331122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Membership has its privileges. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">My favorite part of the night was Hockey Hall of Famer Bob Miller busting out his Members Only Hall of Fame Jacket during the broadcast... and totally playing it cool by not mentioning it. I like to imagine Bob in his hotel room, once a year, putting on his Hockey Hall of Fame Blazer and then staring into the mirror, Silence of the Lambs style. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXA7SRgHayrwgaUPYFjz3VM5U3m_O_vCRTH_L0p0Tem9ivt_tGnJL49U1fwxVrBv284CrQAbhV5N4uEuWLlVA5Mi1GgfboMk7vVaIZzcWt6sg3wFF6hllmykOm2M2enebgLw3MM8s7ibGI/s1600-h/silenceofthelambs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXA7SRgHayrwgaUPYFjz3VM5U3m_O_vCRTH_L0p0Tem9ivt_tGnJL49U1fwxVrBv284CrQAbhV5N4uEuWLlVA5Mi1GgfboMk7vVaIZzcWt6sg3wFF6hllmykOm2M2enebgLw3MM8s7ibGI/s400/silenceofthelambs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403297852720284082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">He puts the biscuit in the basket. </span><br /></div><br /></div></div>Game by game, 19-Year-Old Drew Doughty just gets better and better with his one timers from the point. Alexander Frolov must have been watching the segment where Rich Hammond talked about how people on the internet are unhappy with Frolov's game.. cause he sure woke up in the 3rd period. And sure, Ersberg got the win, but he was hardly tested by this weak Carolina team. The next game Jon Quick starts will be his 65th career... basically a full season for a #1 NHL goalie.<br /><br /> <div style="text-align: center;" class="short">64 Games - 32W 25L 4OTL SV%.908 GAA 2.59<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">32-25-4 isn't bad for a first season. Everyone was up in arms about Columbus Blue Jackets rookie goalie Steve Mason last season and he went 33-20-7 in 61 games. On a playoff team. It's important that Quick gets his rest throughout the season and this game was the perfect one for him to sit out. And if Ersberg decides that he has forgotten how to play in the NHL, the Kings can always call up Jon Bernier from Manchester. I wouldn't mind seeing a bit of a competition between Quick and Bernier for the 1 and 1A goal spots. It's good to have this kind of a goalie problem... instead of having goalie problems like these:<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLxtMfnG1VUzExfVHIydVPe08lgD1EapzJRXgKxw1SyPn4gJxcIfYemnw9VRHeLVMVupTvfLu-wmip5tRYxeEVSQky3GJoeIS62KagnABE1CyOuo9FQV0Ei2tkpyl0asupnM0XzsbP0Cd/s1600-h/white+helmet.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLxtMfnG1VUzExfVHIydVPe08lgD1EapzJRXgKxw1SyPn4gJxcIfYemnw9VRHeLVMVupTvfLu-wmip5tRYxeEVSQky3GJoeIS62KagnABE1CyOuo9FQV0Ei2tkpyl0asupnM0XzsbP0Cd/s400/white+helmet.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403255571963372450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Is there anything better than the white mask<br />during a goalies first game with a new team?<br /><br /></span></div>And this is why hockey in the deep south is awesome:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpT3aPSS8NXVPxGDb0qOmKVpsDgnVdshf8Kn7zPVuG93UUA501r-_FwPZyoBiwNw7DmCzCkX61QIqGlR2Wq4Wf349Y4HZbkp-5KZ6R5Zl2VmbiiKIewoixiWMa-BSCcfWiyrY3Cvqf6EI/s1600-h/tractor.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpT3aPSS8NXVPxGDb0qOmKVpsDgnVdshf8Kn7zPVuG93UUA501r-_FwPZyoBiwNw7DmCzCkX61QIqGlR2Wq4Wf349Y4HZbkp-5KZ6R5Zl2VmbiiKIewoixiWMa-BSCcfWiyrY3Cvqf6EI/s400/tractor.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403255557852032642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh man, greatest episode of Mad Men ever!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">And also because of signs like this one:<br /><br /></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BQWYEBJqUhDYoPE7jcVMW9PKTMzujvjjfEbDKPe_6MPM3_lskDBUodM87vKcXRx4F_7QOEbEPUVlAH6nLb5OjBS8Y2D7F7Ob4jLtDwMuURYU8AVv0jTQ-XdL8smjgZLtiPfrwzArdImq/s1600-h/7+heaven.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BQWYEBJqUhDYoPE7jcVMW9PKTMzujvjjfEbDKPe_6MPM3_lskDBUodM87vKcXRx4F_7QOEbEPUVlAH6nLb5OjBS8Y2D7F7Ob4jLtDwMuURYU8AVv0jTQ-XdL8smjgZLtiPfrwzArdImq/s400/7+heaven.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403255142137415986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Today, I'm eleven</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">on 11-11<br />I'd be in Heaven<br />with a Canes win</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Man, that is one involved sign. And the chance to use this particular rhyming scheme only comes once a lifetime.<br /><br />The Kings are off until Friday when they take on the Atlanta Thrashers as the Kings tear through the 2nd tier of the Southeast Conference on this road trip (ie... every team in the Southeast Conference except Washington.)<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613413381052989857.post-89407047506864621982009-11-11T12:14:00.000-08:002009-11-11T12:29:16.613-08:00P O'dWell it's always an honor when The Royal Half gets a little action in the hockey blog-o-sphere. But imagine our surprise when a <a href="http://www.thepensblog.com/pensblog/november-2009/new-photoshop-expo-crosby-pees-on-me.html">glowing review</a> of this site came in from the immortal <a href="http://www.thepensblog.com/">Pensblog</a>!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">...some LA Kings blog no one will ever read.</span><br />-The Pensblog 9/9/09<br /></div><br />One particular <a href="http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/2009/11/there-are-new-kings-in-town.html">post from last week</a> has inspired a little friendly ribbing between hockey blog gods <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy">PuckDaddy</a> and Pensblog. PuckDaddy was kind enough to <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Stanley-Cup-has-done-nothing-to-ebb-flow-of-Cros?urn=nhl,200659">link</a> to my post about the Sydney Crosby urinal cards featured during the November 5th game. And Pensblog, understandably so, is tired of seeing its favorite player get peed on in opposing NHL rinks. So Pensblog retaliated the best way he knew how... by pissing on Puck Daddy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwsQ5umIQftyLilg-zxfqF3IU8OrVXPiYN1dChO_abasieQTqQ0jviPszV7kctIPhzTbQ0Q-vcvIW63ukCe5fHuqSXU6zJmTY18U5A3UkceI7rS2ClJVSicuUI2WxBwpMCGocnyKc3UsP/s1600-h/pensbanner.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwsQ5umIQftyLilg-zxfqF3IU8OrVXPiYN1dChO_abasieQTqQ0jviPszV7kctIPhzTbQ0Q-vcvIW63ukCe5fHuqSXU6zJmTY18U5A3UkceI7rS2ClJVSicuUI2WxBwpMCGocnyKc3UsP/s400/pensbanner.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402938241413961554" border="0" /></a><br />Keep an eye out at Pensblog as they will collect user submitted photoshops of NHL Superstar Sydney Crosby peeing on things. I love the internet.<br /><br />So remember all that <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=1293">talk</a> about Coach Murray "shaking" things up for tonights game against the hapless Carolina Hurricanes? So the big changes? Old man Sean O'Donnell gets a night off and spare defensemen Randy Jones and Peter Harrold get the call. And enforcer Raitis Ivanans sits because the Hurricanes can't afford to lose anymore players. Oh and the Kings backup goalie starts for the 2nd time all season. Earth shattering!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0a087z_luri7SV_XTWbs6LoHP6UJWl2yoePuSDCYCREAQGd38tnzNYBLm_8RmOYCKZ7F_mhQDebP0Qm8OmnVm0AVUkdnfRUZ3SopvHFphRu1uKh72jZ_CbpsDp83lTyhwzLZxn1hJQ52/s1600-h/1e6a5397ca10a51bf47358e3a35dd61d-getty-90953362hh011_pittsburgh_pe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0a087z_luri7SV_XTWbs6LoHP6UJWl2yoePuSDCYCREAQGd38tnzNYBLm_8RmOYCKZ7F_mhQDebP0Qm8OmnVm0AVUkdnfRUZ3SopvHFphRu1uKh72jZ_CbpsDp83lTyhwzLZxn1hJQ52/s400/1e6a5397ca10a51bf47358e3a35dd61d-getty-90953362hh011_pittsburgh_pe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402940767051657698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Hey guys! Did you hear! I'm starting tonight! I'M STARTING!<br />You're not gonna have Erik Ersberg to kick around anymore!<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Erik Ersberg reminds me of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0395196/">Cricket</a> from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi778UReOQkYiMpRrN3QGWkkm8zTYc4S-tw6emFfovKT9F-JhKcCDkTBJ6_Tgv4U8BeEvWOOVDeT9K7pd79Jja7c7TGAsQyVnhFNnCG-9dn0YbCn2rMLupOmtMivssdA5ax1SNpVCbrnXBz/s1600-h/cricket.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi778UReOQkYiMpRrN3QGWkkm8zTYc4S-tw6emFfovKT9F-JhKcCDkTBJ6_Tgv4U8BeEvWOOVDeT9K7pd79Jja7c7TGAsQyVnhFNnCG-9dn0YbCn2rMLupOmtMivssdA5ax1SNpVCbrnXBz/s400/cricket.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402940771440878146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This guy has won as many games this season as Ersberg.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">So let's see what the ever expanding Dean Lombardi Philadelphia pipeline will bring with Randy Jones in the lineup tonight. And let's see how Ersberg responds to being <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=486">called out</a> pretty much all season by Coach Murray for his inefficient play. It's LA Kings hockey and this time... it's televised!<br /><br />For the hockey perspective from the Deep South be sure to check out <a href="http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/rbh/">Red and Black Hockey</a> and <a href="http://www.canescountry.com/">CanesCountry</a>.</span><br /></div></div>Chris Kontoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00386866459375220579noreply@blogger.com2