Post-Game Thread

[Stealth22]

So there's no NHL hockey, aside from GMC. And you know it's a slow day on TSN.ca when the top story is Alexander Ovechkin threatening to stay in the KHL if his contract is cut. Yeah, good PR move there, Ovi. That'll show them fans what a modest, hockey-loving guy you are.

So I figured, why not liven it up a little bit with post-game articles/comments from our games?

I'll start us off.

California Double Header: Kings and Ducks

The Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks started the weekend off with a bang Saturday night [both games actually played Sunday] at the Staples Center, the first of the weekend home-and-home series involving the cross-town rivals.

Chris Kreider opened things up at 13:10 of the first period with his 3rd of the season, and Patrik Berglund would make it 2-0 for the Kings three and a half minutes later with his 5th. Joe Pavelski would add two goals in the second and third periods, one of those a powerplay goal, both assisted by Captain Keith Yandle. Pavelski has 12 goals on the season, and has fit in well with Kings' star Bobby Ryan, flanked by Viktor Stalberg on his left.

"It felt good tonight.", Pavelski told reporters after the game. "Neuvy really held us in there. And you know what? That score doesn't tell the story. They played an awesome game, and I think Howard wants those first two goals back, he made some real nice saves. They beat us the last time around, I believe it was before Vik (Viktor Stalberg) and I were here, so Bobby (Ryan) and the guys really wanted to win this one, haha. But we'll take the win, and hey, we've gotta play them again tomorrow in their building, so I'm sure they'll be raring to go and wanting to kick our butts."

Michal Neuvirth, who has come under some criticism lately, posted his 2nd shutout of the season, and faced 21 shots, while his team fired 39 at Jimmy Howard in the 4-0 win.

The Anaheim Ducks, however, were out for revenge. The matinee rematch was played Sunday afternoon at the Honda Center in Anaheim. With Kings' defenceman Jared Cowen in the penalty box for cross-checking, Mikko Koivu scored during a powerplay 7:26 into the game to draw first blood. Former L.A. King Devante Smith-Pelly added a second goal at the 10:04 mark of the first period to open up a 2-0 lead for the Ducks.

Josh Gorges and Viktor Stalberg would feed Bobby Ryan for his 10th of the season at 19:26 to get the Kings on the board going into the dressing room. With both teams firing on all cylinders in the 2nd, Koivu scored his 9th of the season at 18:41 from Kris Versteeg and Ducks' star defenceman Drew Doughty to get the Ducks back in front. Taylor Pyatt scored his 6th of the year at 19:58 to cut the lead to one goal.

Kings prospect Brandon Pirri scored his first NHL goal at 9:03 of the third period to tie the game, and Taylor Pyatt and Sean Couturier would add a goal each to leave Anaheim with a 5-3 win.

"I was worried there in the first period.", said Kings' goaltender Michal Neuvirth. "They jumped out to an early lead, and until Bobby (Ryan) added one at the end there, we weren't feeling too great. And Pyatt bailed me out there by answering their third goal right away."

"I'll remember that one for a while.", Pirri said with a grin, holding up the puck that went off his stick past Jimmy Howard. "I was just trying to throw it on net, and it went in. He's a great goalie, and I got a lot of respect for him. He came up to me just as we were coming into the room, and he was like 'I'm not gonna go so easy on you next time'." Pirri said with a nervous laugh.

The Ducks fired 28 shots at Michal Neuvirth in the second game, while the Kings countered with 40 pucks at Jimmy Howard.

Kings' Captain Keith Yandle told reporters that while they were pleased with the two wins, they still had a hole to dig themselves out of. "They've got a good team over there. It's not often you go down 2-0 and are able to come away with 2 points against that guy." He said, referring to Howard. "He's a good goalie, and they've got some skilled guys over there. We'll take the two wins, but it's a long season. There are lots of games to go, and a big part of 'em will be against those guys. I think they'll be ready next game, so we're going to need to take it to the next level. For now, we'll just concentrate on Philly coming in pretty quickly here."

The Kings have a game against the Philadelphia Flyers, and all indications point to Michal Neuvirth getting the start.

[IgiTang]

Bored or what?

[Stealth22]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

Bored or what?

Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[IgiTang]

Fair enough. Creative for sure. I hope you didnt type all that from your phone... I would have gotten through the first para then chucked my phone

[Stealth22]

No haha, that was from my computer.