#LAKings Kings turn up internal competition in Ontario (Daily News)
The Kings turned their internal competition up a level Sunday, staging an intra-squad scrimmage in Ontario, Calif. The black team beat the white team, led by winger Samuel Fagemo, the games lone goal-scorer.
The contest was divided into two halves with a running clock, then followed by an exhibition shootout. The white teams Adrian Kempe, a forward, was the only player to find the back of the net thanks to a bit of initial hesitation and then a decisive forehand-to-backhand move that culminated in him lifting the puck home.
Jonathan Quick and Matt Villalta backstopped the winning black side, turning aside all 19 shots they faced. Cal Peterson and Garret Sparks split time in goal for the white team, with each making two saves in rapid succession at different points in the game, stopping 28 of 29 overall.
I thought it was as good of a black-and-white or whatever-colored game you want to call it that Ive been around in a long time, said Kings Coach Todd McLellan, who also coached in San Jose, Edmonton and Detroit. There were some skilled players, some physicality and some good goaltending.
The Kings made their first round of cuts from their 66-player group and will continue to whittle down their roster across a busy exhibition season. They play four games in five nights this week, beginning Monday against the Arizona Coyotes, with three more preseason games to follow.
Weve got to shrink the camp a little bit before we really dig in, McLellan said. After these first two games, I think youll see us make more of a commitment to a smaller group, and when we do go (back) on the road, we cant take 40 or 50 players; itll be an even smaller group then.
With 11:40 remaining in the first half, Fagemo opened the scoring. He drove hard out of the left corner to the front of the net to sweep the puck past Petersen.
While his goal was mostly an individual effort in the midst of some choppy shift changes, Fagemo worked his way to a top scoring line, accompanying Viktor Arvidsson on the flanks of team captain Anze Kopitar.Related Articles
I got like starstruck there when I played with (Kopitar) for those first couple of shifts it was just a really fun experience for me, Fagemo said.
During the Kings peak last decade, Swedish contributors ranged from scant to non-existent. Here, two thirds of a top line were Swedes between Fagemo and Arvidsson. Other Swedish Kings, like defenseman Tobias Bjornfot and Lias Andersson, expanded their roles over the course of last season.
I think that helps me a lot to have so many guys from Sweden here to (speak) Swedish and learn from them, Fagemo said.
Center Blake Lizotte appeared to double his team’s lead with just over five minutes to play, but his deflection goal was waived off because the puck had been played with a high stick.
There were some prime opportunities between the circles, near the net front and, in winger Austin Wagners case, on a breakaway, but Fagemos goal held as the games only score.
McLellan offered plaudits to some individuals, including center and 2020 No. 2 overall pick Quinton Byfield, whom McLellan said was engaged throughout and creative offensively. McLellan also praised defenseman Jordan Spence specifically.
Hes grown on us each and every night, and seems to get better, McLellan said.
https://www.dailynews.com/2021/09/26...on-in-ontario/
The contest was divided into two halves with a running clock, then followed by an exhibition shootout. The white teams Adrian Kempe, a forward, was the only player to find the back of the net thanks to a bit of initial hesitation and then a decisive forehand-to-backhand move that culminated in him lifting the puck home.
Jonathan Quick and Matt Villalta backstopped the winning black side, turning aside all 19 shots they faced. Cal Peterson and Garret Sparks split time in goal for the white team, with each making two saves in rapid succession at different points in the game, stopping 28 of 29 overall.
I thought it was as good of a black-and-white or whatever-colored game you want to call it that Ive been around in a long time, said Kings Coach Todd McLellan, who also coached in San Jose, Edmonton and Detroit. There were some skilled players, some physicality and some good goaltending.
The Kings made their first round of cuts from their 66-player group and will continue to whittle down their roster across a busy exhibition season. They play four games in five nights this week, beginning Monday against the Arizona Coyotes, with three more preseason games to follow.
Weve got to shrink the camp a little bit before we really dig in, McLellan said. After these first two games, I think youll see us make more of a commitment to a smaller group, and when we do go (back) on the road, we cant take 40 or 50 players; itll be an even smaller group then.
With 11:40 remaining in the first half, Fagemo opened the scoring. He drove hard out of the left corner to the front of the net to sweep the puck past Petersen.
While his goal was mostly an individual effort in the midst of some choppy shift changes, Fagemo worked his way to a top scoring line, accompanying Viktor Arvidsson on the flanks of team captain Anze Kopitar.Related Articles
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I got like starstruck there when I played with (Kopitar) for those first couple of shifts it was just a really fun experience for me, Fagemo said.
During the Kings peak last decade, Swedish contributors ranged from scant to non-existent. Here, two thirds of a top line were Swedes between Fagemo and Arvidsson. Other Swedish Kings, like defenseman Tobias Bjornfot and Lias Andersson, expanded their roles over the course of last season.
I think that helps me a lot to have so many guys from Sweden here to (speak) Swedish and learn from them, Fagemo said.
Center Blake Lizotte appeared to double his team’s lead with just over five minutes to play, but his deflection goal was waived off because the puck had been played with a high stick.
There were some prime opportunities between the circles, near the net front and, in winger Austin Wagners case, on a breakaway, but Fagemos goal held as the games only score.
McLellan offered plaudits to some individuals, including center and 2020 No. 2 overall pick Quinton Byfield, whom McLellan said was engaged throughout and creative offensively. McLellan also praised defenseman Jordan Spence specifically.
Hes grown on us each and every night, and seems to get better, McLellan said.
https://www.dailynews.com/2021/09/26...on-in-ontario/