Year-In-Review – 17 – Scott Thornton

Scott Thornton was a veteran forward who wore an “A” on his sweater last season, and while I’m sure he had some influence off the ice for the younger players, I wished that he had more of an on-ice role. He played in 47 games getting 5 goals, 3 assists for 8 points, ended up at a +1, and had 39 PIM. Even though his numbers don't reflect it, I felt that he was a player who came to play every night whenever he was in the lineup. He played in just a couple less games than Brian Willsie, but I can remember more of his shifts. There’s a certain presence that one can have while out on the ice and I felt that Thornton was one of those types of players. In saying that, I definitely felt bad for him whenever I saw that he was a "healthy scratch."

(AP)

I always wondered what type of leadership role he was having over the younger players when he was a constant scratch. I remembered thinking many times, "How much influence can he have if he’s not out on the ice on a regular basis?" According to Ron Hextall at the Kings Roundtable, we, as fans, have to remember that just because Thornton was a healthy scratch didn’t mean that he wasn’t suffering from some sort of nagging injury. At the same time, when he was scratched, we had to go without his grittiness on whatever line Crawford threw him out on. I’m not saying that he was an elite player whose role was on the top line, but there was a sort of undeniable extra spark whenever he was in the lineup. He definitely threw down a few times and held his own as an older player. I recall he was INSENSED when the Kings were playing Chicago and Dustin Byfuglien grabbed Lubo to have a go. I remember Jim Fox saying he thought that Byfuglien realized he didn’t grab a fighter so that they were instead just grappling with each other. But as someone who is able to win his fair share of fights, Thornton wanted nothing more than to rip Byfuglien’s head clean off .

(AP)

Not Byfuglien, but he's about to get wacked.

I believed he made noticeable difference whenever he was out there and he definitely deserved more ice time, but to think that he was too injured to take any extra ice time he could have been given is really unfortunate. When it was announced that the Kings’ last game of the season would possibly be the last of Thornton’s career, I was pretty bummed. That last game is customarily Fan Appreciation Day where the players give selected fans the jerseys off their backs. When it was Thornton’s turn, the person receiving his jersey was actually his wife. I thought it was definitely fitting that the Kings brought her out for this occasion. She had been with him since he was playing in Juniors and for her to be there at the end was a classy move by the organization.

To Scott, I had hoped your last season in the NHL could have ended better, but thanks for your efforts on every shift. I hope I’m not alone in saying that I wished you could have been healthier to take more shifts because we needed it.

(AP)

Awww

His retiring from the game and departure from the Kings leaves us with another hole in the lineup. I can’t even really pinpoint which position Thornton played with whichever line because of Crawford, but I will say with certainty that someone in his early 20s will be taking his place.

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Roadtrip Game 4 - Kings 4, Rangers 2 (PT)

Pre-Game and Player Transactions:
- The Kings haven't been at MSG in 5 years where they won 6-2 against the Rangers.
- Cammy has been activated from IR
- Brownie is out for the birth of his first child. Congrats to him and Nicole!

1st Period:
- Thornton is on the first line?? Cammy is on the second and Moulson was moved to the 3rd creating an all-Manchester line. Willsie is a scratch. Purcell anyone?
- First 5 minutes of the period: the Kings are spending more time in the Rangers zone, which is a rarity and Kopi is again showing off his mad skills.
- Kings PP - Boyle is getting time on the PP but the Rangers are doing a good job trapping the Kings out in the first minute. Avery hooks Fro and is in the box. I think Calder should summon the aura of Holmstrom in his screening skills; he needs to get his rear a little closer to the top of the crease. I'm sure there are a couple more inches there that he could gain.
- Halfway through the period: the Kings have 10 shots on and the Rangers have only 1.
- Kings Goal - I guess I shouldn't doubt Thornton (5) (at 10:10).
- Kings Goal - Brian Boyle (2) gets a pass from Moulson who was mucking it out in the right corner with Giuliano and two Rangers. That was a great cross-ice pass from Moulson over to the big boy at 13:08.
- Avery and Stuart give it the ole staredown in front of Barbs. These are two guys that look like they're enjoying themselves when they're actually pissed. They have these sneers that would make you think they're actually the best of friends.

(Jim McIssac/Getty Images)

Can you believe People Magazine picked this guy as one of its sexiest men? Vomit-inducing? You betcha.

- Kings PP - What a bore. This game needs to pick up the pace already.
- This Manchester line is making some great plays happen. They're throwing their bodies and making the Rangers skate on their heels.
- Rangers Goal - They're able to get something set up in the Kings zone and a shot from the point is translated into a save from Barbs but Drury (17) grabs it up and gets it past Barbs at 17:50.
- Last couple minutes of the period: the Rangers decide they want to start throw their bodies around.
- Shots on goal Kings 16, Rangers 5. Good job, guys.

2nd Period:
- Kings PP - Rangers kill this off uneventfully and true to Kings form, the Rangers are able to start aggressively setting up plays and getting the puck right to Barbs. I feel like sometimes the Kings aren't as aggressive as they should be when the time on a PP runs out.
- Kings PK - After a short-handed break with Kopi and Sully, the Rangers move back quickly and get some crazy shots on around Barbs. Barbs is definitely making key saves through the rush.
- Cammy, Cammy, Cammy, move your little legs faster!
- Kings Goal - A defensive breakdown from the Rangers allows three Kings forwards to rush down low to the net. Frolov (13) gets the puck last from the passing frenzy and the Kings are up 3-1 at 9:18.
- YES!!! Ivanans is eyeing Avery. DO IT RATTI. Just slug him right between the eyes.
- Kings PK - Barbs gets an interference call and the Rangers get their second PP. Handzus ALMOST got another shorthanded break. I'm getting more and more impressed with Stuart's play. He's making a difference as opposed to making mistakes. And I like the fact that he's standing up for Barbs, FINALLY. Speaking of Barbs, he's getting square on ALL of the shots and he's looking great in net.
- Lundqvist is getting a workout tonight and Cammy ALMOST gets his first goal in....I can't even remember what he looks like when he's scoring.
- Rangers Goal - Freaking Avery. There are 4 Kings and 3 Rangers down low and it's a scramble to get the puck in the net at 17:26.
- The Rangers are back in this game and they're putting the pressure on in the second half of this period. The Rangers have also brought their shot total past the Kings 30-26.
- It just may be Stuart and Avery going at it instead of Ratti and Avery.

3rd Period:
- Kings Goal - Fro is being his usual forechecking beastly-self and passes the biscuit over to Kopi (21) in the high slot at 1:21. If Frolov doesn't get a star tonight, I'll be pissed.
***Update: Frolov got the 3rd Star, Kopi got the 2nd, and Barbs got the well-deserved 1st Star of the night!***
- 5 minutes gone and the tone of the game is more chippy than when it first started. Barbs has faced 34 total shots with 11 minutes gone in the period.
- Kings PP - Boyle was out there to win the face off and then immediately went to the bench. I'm SO GLAD that there's someone that can win faceoffs. Handzus? I think not. Paul Mara gets knocked on his ass by Stuart and it wasn't the best kill, but they got it done.
- Kings PP - I spy Cammy on this first shift back with Kopi and Sully.
- The Rangers pull Lundqvist with about 40 seconds to go and they get more aggressive in the Kings zone. Shot after close call after scramble in and around the net and I start to celebrate with 4 seconds to go.
- Shots on goal: Kings 31, Rangers 41. Would you have it any other way?

Game:
- Kings 4, Rangers 2
- Another two points and I hope the boys over at The 2 Man Advantage enjoyed themselves at MSG.
- The Kings are continuing their momentum through this roadtrip and, besides the game against the Devils, they're looking good and working well together. There are a lot of injuries and such preventing this team to function with the roster it started the season with. But, quite frankly, that's a great thing. I'm loving the new guys who are coming in and making differences immediately.

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WJC & One In A Row!!!

Some updates:
- I got DirecTV! SWEET ACTION. Now I won't have to listen to the Kings games on the radio. Nick Nickson and Daryl Evans; I love you guys, but I'm going off to enjoy the games (be in misery) with Bob Miller and Jim Fox.

- Player transactions:

• John Zeiler was sent back to Manchester.
• Jon Klemm was recalled.
• I'm pissed.
  

- Team Canada - Has been killing it over in the Czech Republic in the WJC.

• Jonathan Bernier - In the tournament opener (Wed. 26th) he got a shutout (3-0) with 44 saves against the Czech Republic.
• Thomas Hickey - He's been paired with Luke Sheen (who is draft eligible in 2008) and these two have been building noticeable chemistry. While Sheen may be physically bigger, Hickey has been getting his job done in the corners. This boy's got some sweet moves.
• Wayne Simmonds - The surprise addition to the roster has been adding needed energy for the bottom lines. At the end of Thursday's game against Slovakia, coach Craig Hartsburg shortened his bench, thus Simmonds saw limited ice time toward the end of the game.
• Oscar Moller - I can't seem to find much info on Team Sweden, but I'll scour some more...

Team Canada update: Sweden defeats Canada (Sat 29th) ending their 20-game winning streak that began in 2004. Moller scored a power play goal for Sweden ending Bernier's shutout in the third period. Canada falls 4-3 against Sweden.


Kings Game Day:
- So a noon start for the game today? Wack. I would have NOT known this fact unless I'd read RudyKelly's post at BofC. The Kings battled the Aves in Denver.
- Will Ratti play more than 4 minutes and 16 seconds like the last game?
- Jon Klemm is recalled and is a scratch?? What's the point???

1st Period:
I don't see too much difference in the way the Kings come out at the first faceoff from the other games. One thing I DO notice is JJ takes the puck from Aubin's goal line all the way to the Aves' goal line by himself, TWICE. His individual efforts (frustrations) are noticeable.

The Aves get on the board making it 1-0 at 12:35 by Jordan Leopold. Kings have 4 shots on compared to the Aves 13. Damn.

2nd period:
Jim Fox put it best by saying that the Kings are pacing the game how they wanted; slowing the flow and not allowing the Aves to take control. The only exciting part of this period is during the second half with Ratti and McLeod dropping the gloves. With Ratti being 53 pounds heavier than McLeod, I wonder who was the big boy in this fight. They both go off 5 minutes for fighting and continue to jaw at each other from the penalty boxes and their skate to the bench is slow and tense. McLeod gets on the bench and throws as many F-bombs as he can over to Ratti. Ratti is standing there throwing eye daggers back. McLeod stalks off to the locker room getting a 10-minute misconduct. Second period ends.

Shot total: 22 (Aves) - 10 (LA). Aves still up 1-0.

3rd Period:
Pace is still slow. Kopi gets a high stick to the face from Smyth and gets cut on his upper lip but there's no call. Kings Goal by Army (3) at 10:13. Fro moves into the zone first but the puck gets deflected into the air. It goes back to Army who is crossing the blue line; he grabs it out of the air, puts it at his feet, slaps it to the net, and it's tied at 1-1.

2:17 later it's a Kings Goal again by Thornton (3) at 11:30. 3 Aves follow Giuliano behind the net leaving Thornton wide open at the left wing. Manchester Boy stop and pushes it in front of the net; Thornton gets it and puts it past Theodore. Kings up 2-1.

The Kings have scored twice in 2 minutes and 17 seconds on 3 shots. After Army's goal, the Kings pick up the pace of the game and the passing becomes sharper and quicker.

With less than two minutes remaining, Colorado pulls Jose Theodore and gets the extra attacker. Kings Goal by Anze (16) on an empty net.

End of Game:
Kings 3, Avalanche 1. Kings snap their 8-game losing streak. The Kings outshoot the Aves 13-8 in the last period. (Ratti played 9:28 this game.)

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Losing Streak Ended!

Original post date: Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Finally!! The Kings broke their terrible losing streak giving them two much-needed points while killing the Wild's GAA numbers. It is no longer .808 or whatever the hell it was. Thank GOD. I don't know what I would have done if they had lost again. And FINALLY. Some order in their play. Their lines looked tighter and more in sync than on Sunday, in which they basically looked like a disaster. And they FINALLY took back the neutral zone. I don't think I could have handled them getting shut down there anymore. I much appreciated the feistiness that they brought back that was missed from their first game in London. The control with urgency was there. I'm a happy panda.

I like lists too and since I'm so happy with the win, it'll be easier to list than to try to make coherent sentences because I've also been up since 4AM. It is currently 11:34PM, and I need to be in bed.

1) Thornton's goal – Nice top shelf action. Much appreciated from my couch.

2) Overtime - I honestly can't believe the Kings didn't score during these 5 minutes because they were basically on the PP for the whole freaking time! Let me just say WOW. But I'm not going to bag on their efforts. There was a lot of hustle.

3) Shootout – I LOVE SHOOTOUTS. They're amazingly effective at getting me more nervous than when I'm at the start line of my own races. Uno: Brownie: Solid goal, what more can you ask. Dos: Cammy: Sweet ass snap. Tres: Anze: REDICULOUS fake out!!! Like KMS2, I thought it didn't go in either. But when replayed, it was the sickest goal ever. I can just imagine Backstrom thinking, "OH NOOO!!" HIGHLIGHT REEL!! And I loved that Anze was so happy during his interview right after the game-ending goal. He was all smiles, which added to my high of the Kings finally winning. Fucking fantastic.

4) Aubin – I was so nervous during all of the pre-game activities; I didn't like not knowing, which is to be expected with Kings goaltending. But I was impressed. Especially in the second period where he looked like he was out of position and he turned and snatched the puck out of the air with his glove. My heart literally stopped. So now he has his first win in his first Kings appearance. Who will be the #1 goaltender? Thoughts?

5) Handzus. What are you doing out there? You look like a chicken with both legs cut off.

6) Zeiler. So much smaller than Handzus, but so much more effective. KMS2, any thoughts? =)

P.S. Aubin, it's time to take that maple leaf off your helmet, thanks.

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