Return of the Kings
Fight for the puck.
By Alberto Muro
On September 21st 2015, The Los Angeles Kings made their 5th visit to Bakersfield, and for their pre-season game opener, they played against The Arizona Coyotes. The Kings Head Coach Daryl Sutter last visited Bakersfield in 2003 when he was still coaching the San Jose Sharks, and due to complications with melting ice officials had to reduce the game down to two periods.
Prior to the pre-season game, the L.A. Kings represented the away team and wore their away jerseys while the Arizona Coyotes wore their home jerseys at The Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. Those attending the game at Rabobank were given the opportunity to read up on the Bakersfield Condors and their new affiliation with the American Hockey League (AHL). The Bakersfield Condors signed a deal in January 2015 when their owners the Edmonton Oilers and 6 other NHL teams announced that their AHL affiliates would move to the West Coast.
During the match the Kings and Coyotes displayed resilience as both teams battled for puck possession in which cleaning crews had to clear the ice of obstructions caused by the players’ skates. Penalties did occur throughout the game whether it was another players stick going above their opponents head or unnecessary tripping as tempers began to flare.
Each period lasted about 20 minutes, and there was a fifteen minute intermission which allowed the patrons of the game to make their way to the concession stands or use the facilities.
There were also activities during intermission, similar to the activities during the Bakersfield Condors games, such as the chuck-a-puck in which fans pay one dollar for a foam puck with numbers written on them, and during intermission, the fans threw the pucks onto ice. As the chuck-a-puck contest concluded, the ice crews collect the pucks with a snow shovel and place them into a can; once the winning number is called out, they receive a gift that ranges from game tickets to a signed jersey to money gift cards. Overall, the proceeds of the chuck-a-puck contest go to local charities in Bakersfield, and it was great to see people that are fans of both NHL teams participate in a local event.
During intermission, one can usually expect for tempers to have settled down, but that’s not always the case when at the 10:43 remaining in the 2nd period when Coyotes defenseman Dakota Mermis and Kings right wing Justin Auger engaged in a quarrel at the Arizona defense line which resulted in a 2 minute penalty for both players. As the crowd roared with excitement, everyone calmed down, but soon there was an eruption of joy as the Kings scored two more goals prior to the end of the 2nd period. Los Angeles now had a 4-0 lead over Arizona, and Kings fans in the audience couldn’t be more delighted knowing that their team has shown improvement since missing the play-offs last season.
Once the 3rd period started, the Kings were short one player, due to a penalty that carried on over from the 2nd period, but seconds into the period, the Kings offense did not hesitate to rush into the Arizona net and take a 5-0 lead over the Coyotes. Despite their efforts to destabilize the Kings defense, Arizona finally got their moment by the luck of deflection off a Kings skate now making the game 5-1. At 12:04 in the 3rd period, a penalty against Arizona was called, making it 4 Coyotes’ players against 5 Kings, but the Kings power play offense sought little action in the matter and allowed Arizona to kill the power play making it 5 on 5 again.
Overall, the game ended with the Los Angeles Kings beginning their pre-season with a 5-1 victory over the Arizona Coyotes, and it was also announced that the NHL would demonstrate the new overtime regulation where if games ended in ties they would start a 5 minute period where it would be 3 on 3. As overtime started, the Los Angeles Kings were able to conduct puck passes that lead to another score against the Arizona Coyotes at the 4:21 mark, thus concluding an evening of hockey in Bakersfield. In the end, hockey fans came out for a night of fun and did not leave disappointed as fans were thankful to the NHL’s decision to host a pre-season game in Bakersfield.
For now, the people of Bakersfield are waiting for the 9th and 10th of October for the Condors season opener when they make their debut into the AHL.
Condors AHL