jom
Dorkus Malorkus
I’ve been here a long time but I almost never start a thread. Today I thought it would be fun to start one since it is an “anniversary” of sorts. It was 50 years ago today I went to my first Kings game….FIFTY YEARS (good Lord! Where did the time go?).
Although I didn’t really know it at the time it had been 5 years since the Kings had been in the playoffs (their longest drought not being in the playoffs until just before Dean Lombardi took over here more recently).
It was game 4 of the 1st round of the NHL Playoffs. The Kings were playing the Chicago Blackhawks and down 3-0 in games. Chicago won the night before 1-0 with Tony Esposito (RIP) in goal vs. Vachon. Oddly, in game 4 the teams decided to rest their goalies which I’m sure would never happen today in the playoffs. Even with the back-to-back games. So Gary Edwards got the start for the Kings against a guy named Mike Visor. I remember this since I was a bit disappointed not seeing Vachon play.
The night before the Hawks got an early goal and made it stand so when they scored first again in game 4 it was looking like a repeat. However, Gene Carr (RIP) got a goal for the Kings to tie it up.
Now my recollection of the goal is vague. It was on the other side of the ice so I don’t remember the play at all. However, I do remember the crowd reaction being VERY loud. The Forum could be a loud building at times (which I’d find out in later years) but this night I can only remember my reaction to this being as a sort of “shell shock”…I just remember blanking out for a moment…very weird. It was the first Kings goal at home in the playoffs after being shut out the night before and not being in the playoffs since 1969 so I suppose the fans reacted appropriately. I had been to a few Laker’s games there before this and it was NOTHING like it. Hockey games had a different affect…much more fun.
Anywho, the Kings went on to win the game with Tommy Williams getting a “pure” hat trick in the 3rd period. Unfortunately, the Hawks won game 5 in Chicago to put an end to the Kings season under coach Bob Pulford. They would go on to improve the next few years but with limited success. The team got more offense when Dionne showed up in 1975 but their defensive play lacked (especially after Pulford quit) and the lack of draft picks through the 70s started to effect performance.
Interesting note: the Kings would not play the Hawks in the playoffs again until 2013 Conference Finals when they also lost in 5 games. The Kings GM was Dean Lombardi who happens to be Bob Pulford’s son-in-law.
jom
PS: 50 Years! Are you kidding me?
Although I didn’t really know it at the time it had been 5 years since the Kings had been in the playoffs (their longest drought not being in the playoffs until just before Dean Lombardi took over here more recently).
It was game 4 of the 1st round of the NHL Playoffs. The Kings were playing the Chicago Blackhawks and down 3-0 in games. Chicago won the night before 1-0 with Tony Esposito (RIP) in goal vs. Vachon. Oddly, in game 4 the teams decided to rest their goalies which I’m sure would never happen today in the playoffs. Even with the back-to-back games. So Gary Edwards got the start for the Kings against a guy named Mike Visor. I remember this since I was a bit disappointed not seeing Vachon play.
The night before the Hawks got an early goal and made it stand so when they scored first again in game 4 it was looking like a repeat. However, Gene Carr (RIP) got a goal for the Kings to tie it up.
Now my recollection of the goal is vague. It was on the other side of the ice so I don’t remember the play at all. However, I do remember the crowd reaction being VERY loud. The Forum could be a loud building at times (which I’d find out in later years) but this night I can only remember my reaction to this being as a sort of “shell shock”…I just remember blanking out for a moment…very weird. It was the first Kings goal at home in the playoffs after being shut out the night before and not being in the playoffs since 1969 so I suppose the fans reacted appropriately. I had been to a few Laker’s games there before this and it was NOTHING like it. Hockey games had a different affect…much more fun.
Anywho, the Kings went on to win the game with Tommy Williams getting a “pure” hat trick in the 3rd period. Unfortunately, the Hawks won game 5 in Chicago to put an end to the Kings season under coach Bob Pulford. They would go on to improve the next few years but with limited success. The team got more offense when Dionne showed up in 1975 but their defensive play lacked (especially after Pulford quit) and the lack of draft picks through the 70s started to effect performance.
Interesting note: the Kings would not play the Hawks in the playoffs again until 2013 Conference Finals when they also lost in 5 games. The Kings GM was Dean Lombardi who happens to be Bob Pulford’s son-in-law.
jom
PS: 50 Years! Are you kidding me?
I believe this to be my 25th year tho I can't be sure when I started. I like to think 1999. I thought 13 years was a "long wait".. I love the old uni's as you can sort of see in my blurry avatar, and love the stories. Thanks for sharing.
