A view from London
Ian Winwood, a reporter from The Guardian, recently hopped the pond to take in a game at Staples Center and didn't exactly find it impressive. But you might find his account of the evening pretty amusing...
The NHL experience that ended up putting me to sleep
Reader Drew passed that along, along with this USA Today story about the struggles of lower-payroll teams:
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About the bloggers
Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews.com.
Quote of the day from Ian (I wonder if he's related to Stevie) Winwood:
"with the perfectly hopeless Rob Blake trousering $6m per season"
Hahahahahahahaha! Even the Limeys from across the pond can see how much of an overpriced deadweight our beloved Captain is! Thanks for the great find, Rich!
Coming from a guy who watches soccer?
He fails to mention that this is just one game! Im sure if he was at the game againts Dallas when we came back from behind he'd have had a different outlook!
That was an incredibly boring game. But what did he really expect from the team with the worst record?
for the most part Ian is spot on.
here's to hoping we kick the ducks asses tonight.
he's an idiot. best atmosphere in the league when we have a little talent to cheer for, regardless of our record.
Tell him to check out the galaxy and his chump homeboy david beckham.
What did he honestly expect from the last place team in the league?
Typical P.O.M.E, go watch cricket if you dont like it. And dont forget your tea...............
Unfortunately this guy is right. Kings fans don't really show up until something good happens. I don't know if I'd go as far as saying they're not hockey fans but they don't show support unless they're winning.
Now of course I'm generalizing but if you go almost anywhere else in the league (except the Ducks) you'll find fans that cheer on their team regardless.
I go to at least 15 - 20 games every season and sit amazed at how the majority of people around me either sit around and talk to the seat next to them or just sit and "wait" for a goal or a big hit. This season has been the worst in recent years. It's almost dead silent in Staples Center unless the horn is sounding.
I don't know, I guess there's just not a hockey market here. My guess is most people are just out for the "sporting" event. Being a die hard "hockey" fan I wish I were wrong...
i hate the Duck announcers. it's been said before, but i feel like it needs to be said again.
yup shakes, you cant say it enough. Ahlers is such a dork and hayward please just shut UP!!!!! or go thru puberty
Brian Hayward is one of the stupidest men I've ever listened to. God I wish Miller did the games in Anaheim.
It can't be said enough.
You really can't beat a Carney's dog after a Kings game! I'm glad to see that even a Limey knows that =) (the fact that he didn't enjoy the game, notwithstanding)
on a sidenote, am I the only person to notice how tiny the Ducks logo is on their jersey? it just looks funny.
The Ducks announcers are used instead of tranqulizers at the Rest Home.
Willsie? I know you were scraping the barrel but do you go to a 4th liner before Lubo?
Ouch!
Scathing.
Wontsie on the shootout = Stamkos
Have to laugh at some of you defending "your team" and his experience at Staples. Funny how an outsider can stir you up so easily. He did a great job of painting a very accurate picture of That game. The costs to go to games is hard to swallow especially for a lousy team. I've been a diehard fan since 88, but the last half dozen years has been hard. Hard to get too excited for a team that you wished and hoped that half the roster would retired or get released. The future is bright, but damn this waiting sucks.
Great read.