KINGS NOTEBOOK: GOALTENDING IS FALTERING.Byline: Rich Hammond Rich Hammond Los Angeles Daily News sports writer. Instrumental in bringing the Los Angeles Kings hockey organization closer to the fans. He is the atypical "what a guy" to Kings fans everywhere. Rich Hammond on himself. Staff Writer A season that started with such promise for Jason LaBarbera Jason LaBarbera (born January 18, 1980 in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada) is a professional ice hockey player who currently plays goalie for the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings. He was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. quickly turned to frustration, as LaBarbera, the Kings' rookie goaltender, had to deal with a family issue and then a sharp reduction in playing time. LaBarbera, who started the season with a 5-0 record, has won just one game since Nov. 3, and on Saturday, LaBarbera faltered when given a chance to play his way back into a bigger role with the team. With Mathieu Garon Mathieu Garon (born January 9, 1978 in Chandler, Quebec) is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender with the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League. He was drafted 44th by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. struggling of late, Kings coach Andy Murray turned to LaBarbera in search of a spark, but only found more consternation. LaBarbera held up well for the first two periods, but had to be pulled midway through the third period after he allowed two goals that tied the game 4-4. Garon earned the victory when Joe Corvo Joe Corvo (born June 20 1977, in Oak Park, Illinois) is a professional hockey player who currently is signed to the Ottawa Senators. Corvo was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 4th round of the 1997 NHL draft. scored 40 seconds into overtime, but that did little to quiet the questions about the Kings' substandard goaltending goal·tend·ing n. 1. Sports The act of protecting a goal, as in hockey and other such sports. 2. Basketball of late. The Kings have allowed at least four goals in six of their last seven games. --Not so fast: Less than 24 hours after coach Andy Murray pronounced him ``100 percent'' and ready to play, Kings defenseman Mattias Norstrom missed Saturday's game with a strained neck. Norstrom met with the coaching staff at Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. before Saturday's game but went home before the opening faceoff. Norstrom said Friday that he likely wouldn't represent Sweden in the Olympics if he couldn't play for the Kings this weekend, and Norstrom's status for today remains in doubt. ``I guess we're going to see (this morning),'' Murray said after Saturday's game. --The gamblers: The Kings apparently don't have a real strong sense of irony. Several NHL NHL Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, see there figures, including the Kings' Jeremy Roenick, are involved in an investigation into an alleged sports gambling ring. So it seemed a bit curious to note that the Kings prominently feature an advertisement for a San Diego-area casino-resort on the dasher dash·er n. 1. One that dashes, especially the plunger of an ice-cream freezer. 2. Sports The ledge along the top of the boards of an ice rink. boards at Staples Center. To be fair, Native American casinos do not accept wagers on sporting events. --Take a break: The Kings' Olympic break officially begins after today's game against Dallas. The team's five Olympians will leave for Italy on Monday and the rest of the players will begin their vacation. The Kings' season resumes with a March 2 home game against Minnesota. CAPTION(S): box Box: KINGS vs. DALLAS - Rich Hammond |
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