Beachcombing LA

 

Fans Welcome Kings Back

 

By Josh Marks

 

The slogan “Kings Rule” has been plastered on billboards across the Southland to advertise the return of hockey to the Staples Center. After a year’s absence however, it will be awhile until the Kings register on the radar screen outside of the die-hard fans donning purple and black jerseys.

 

In February, National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman cancelled the 2004-2005 season. With this announcement the NHL became the first major sports league in North America to lose an entire season because of a labor dispute.

 

Thankfully hockey is back and the NHL and the Los Angeles Kings have a new look for the 2005-2006 season. The sellout crowd of 18,118 at the Kings home opener on Oct. 6 got their first glimpse of veteran center Jeremy Roenick and also saw an impressive performance from newly acquired 23-year-old left winger Alexander Frolov. He scored the go-ahead goal against the Phoenix Coyotes for a 3-2 Kings victory.

 

The loudest cheers of the night went to Wayne Gretzky, who made his return to L.A. as the head coach of Phoenix. Late in the second period Gretzky was shown on the scoreboard and the crowd stood up and gave a long and boisterous standing ovation as Gretzky smiled and acknowledged the fans. Gretzky spent eight seasons in a King uniform and took the team to the Stanley Cup finals in 1993 while putting hockey on the map in southern California.

 

The NHL has instituted some rule changes for this season designed to encourage more scoring and strengthen rivalries. The new schedule emphasizes divisional play with eight games against each of the four other divisional opponents. That means Kings fans can expect to see more of Anaheim, Dallas, San Jose and Phoenix. The league has also tried to open up the game more by removing the red line, which means that players will be able to make two-line passes. Also if goaltenders play the puck past a 28-foot long area behind the net they will be assessed a minor penalty. The league hopes this new rule will create more turnovers and lead to more scoring chances.

 

The Kings have put together a solid team this year so it is a great opportunity to see the fastest sport in the world. You can purchase tickets to all Kings home games through Ticketmaster or the Staples Center Box Office. To reach the Box Office call (213) 742-7340. The phone number for Ticketmaster is (213) 480-3232 or order tickets online at www.ticketmaster.com.