Kings rookies squander 6-3 lead, lose to Coyotes 8-7.

Christopher Gibson speaks English, Finnish and French, but has a Latin phrase etched into the back of his goalie mask: “Luctor et Emergo.” Literally, this means “I struggle and emerge.”

The Kings’ first selection in the 2011 Entry Draft, Gibson certainly struggled in his first game in a Kings uniform. Gibson allowed five goals in the third period as the Kings blew a 6-3 lead, losing 8-7 to the Phoenix Coyotes at Toyota Sports Center. The two teams will play again at 2 p.m. today at TSC, completing the two-game exhibition series between the teams.

Gibson wasn’t the only prospect who slipped on a Kings uniform for the first time Wednesday. That was a factor in 60 minutes of up-and-down hockey.

“There were a lot of nervous guys in that dressing room,” said forward Brandon Kozun, who scored two goals and added an assist on the eve of his third training camp with the Kings.
Continue reading “Kings rookies squander 6-3 lead, lose to Coyotes 8-7.” »

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Powerful experience for Kaunisto in Alabama.

I once chronicled an entire wedding on Twitter, 140 characters at a time. The nupitals took place at center ice between periods of an Ontario Reign home game. Much like the other thousand-plus people in attendance, I didn’t know either the bride or the groom, but it was an interesting diversion from the game I was covering. And if the backdrop of an ECHL hockey game can’t get a marriage off on the right foot, we’re all doomed.

Ray Kaunisto didn’t tweet his entire wedding Saturday, but the Kings prospect did share some interesting tidbits with the masses that allowed his Big Day to come to life:

His bride is an Anaheim Ducks fan.
This was his first married tweet.
– The new couple plans on having children in 2013.

All of which reminded me that I’ve been sitting on a most interesting What-I-Did-During-My-Summer-Vacation story, courtesy of Mr. Kaunisto.
Continue reading “Powerful experience for Kaunisto in Alabama.” »

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Off-season training starts early for Kings prospects.

Manchester Monarchs forward Ray Kaunisto shared an interesting tidbit on his blog today. From raykaunisto.blogspot.com:

This week, starting Tuesday, the Kings let us come down to Detroit to workout and shoot with some of the development guys. It is just a two day camp that shows us how to properly shoot, stick handle, and other on ice skills, as well as helping us out with learning the kings workout.

The guys here are Kozun, Schenn, Toffoli, Dowd, Clifford, Czarnik, Weal, Nolan, and Muzzin. The days consist of two off ice sessions per day and two on ice sessions per day. Everything is pretty tough to do but it makes us better really quickly. A lot of good ideas for shooting and practicing are being passed on to us this week from some really good former NHLers. As always it’s an honor to be here and be around so many world class players and coaches.

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