Kings vs Wings: When Your Best Just Isn't Enough

When your hockey team puts 52 shots on net against the back-up goaltender for the other team, and your opponent only gets 25 shots, the reasonable likelihood is that your team is going to win. Unless your team is the Kings, your opponent is the Detroit Red Wings, and the goalie is Jimmy Howard. In short, tonight's loss was one of those games that reminds you why sports builds character. We did everything possible to win that game, but we just didn't.

Right from the start, the pace of this game was crazy - fast, aggressive, amazing hockey. The Kings had some great chances in front of the net, but just couldn't manage to convert. We even almost had a short-handed goal on a penalty kill while Drew was in the penalty box for hooking. Then, just as he came back out on the ice to join the play and finish the period, Detroit right winger Dan Cleary grabbed a rebound that bounced off our goalie Jon Quick and scored... with .2 SECONDS LEFT! Two tenths of a second! What?????

The second period was equally fast and furious, and Drew had a couple of tough defensive assignments in Dan Cleary and Todd Bertuzzi, shown here.



I know he doesn't look like much here during warm-ups, blowing bubbles with his gum, but he's a general pain in the rear. I got some great video of he and Drew locking sticks, so if you're on Facebook look for it on the Drew Doughty Fan Club site. Not in Drew's fan club? Then get your rear in gear and join the fun!

But by far the biggest disappointment this period was being on the power play the last 2 minutes and not converting. Apparently we left our power play in San Jose Monday night.

Things were just as tough in the third, but the Kings hung in there and finally kept banging at the net enough for Ryan Smyth to score a goal with about 4 minutes left, assisted by Dustin Brown and Jarrett Stoll. Then, just when it looked like overtime was imminent, Darren Helm jammed the puck right under Quicker's left pad, and scored the game winner...with 20 seconds left.

What a heart breaker. I can safely say it's gonna take me a while to get over this one.

Given that I'm reeling from such a tough loss, it almost pains me to name the "Opposing Team Hottie of the Night" for Detroit. But in the spirit of true sportsmanship, I will admit there are some very attractive men on this team.

Pavel Datsyuk is always a contender....but not this time.



Then we have the "Hockey Jesus" himself, Henrik Zetterberg. Again, nice but no.



In the end, the big thumbs up goes to right winger Patrick Eaves, of Calgary, AB. And I have 3 photos that will leave you with no doubt I made the correct choice.

Photo #1 - Intense blue eyes....



Photo #2 - Hockey hair...



And photo #3 - hockey booty.....



What's not to like? Congratulations Patrick, and welcome to my hottie club!

The Kings next match-up is Saturday's contest against the St. Louis Blues. At least it's a Saturday night game, so hopefully this loss doesn't grow legs and turn into a streak. And maybe next time our best will be enough.