ANAHEIM — Suddenly, a garden-variety rivalry game between the Kings and the Ducks morphed into another entity on Friday night at Honda Center.
Freeway Fight Night.
The Kings’ third straight win since coming out of the All-Star break – a 6-3 victory over the last-place Ducks – was overshadowed by a wild turn of events in the final minute of the second period, which resulted in Kings goaltender Pheonix Copley getting ejected from the game. Leading the Kings was Viktor Arvidsson’s two-goal performance and their potent power play, which went 3 for 4.
“I thought it was a tough game to play, a tough game to win,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “Competitive. Had to be patient. Penalties. Special-team situation. Losing a starting goaltender. A lot of variables went into the night.
“At this time of the year, the win is the most important.”
Back to Copley.
Things are getting WILD between the Kings and Ducks and Pheonix Copley is at the center of the action#GoKingsGo | #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/Wjl1i5zoHP
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) February 18, 2023
Copley received a two-minute minor for leaving the crease and a match penalty for a blocker punch in the second-period melee, angered by the Ducks’ Frank Vatrano. The usually mellow Copley looked ready to take on all comers – his fire even surprising his teammates – and there looked to be one eager combatant.
Ducks goalie John Gibson.
Gibson skated to center ice and smacked his stick twice, signaling his willingness. But referee Steve Kozari contained Copley and one of the linesmen swiftly skated over to Gibson, stopping a potential goalie fight and keeping them separated.
“I was hoping the linesman would just let them go,” Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said. “I would have loved to see that. But Copper’s been playing awesome for us. We don’t need him getting injured.”
A prospect of a Gibson-Copley fight was probably the one thing that the Kings and…
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