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Monarchs on center stage at Staples Center

Written by: David A. Rainer on 10/25/2004

A modest bit of history was made in Los Angeles on October 23, 2004. For the first time, an American Hockey League game was played at Staples Center. Dubbed “Hockey Day in LA,” the game was originally slated as a triple-header that would also include an NHL and a Midget AAA game. Due to the current work stoppage, the NHL game was taken off the schedule and the AHL match-up would take center stage.

The Utah Grizzlies faced off against Los Angeles affiliate Manchester Monarchs in a town starved for hockey. Lacking the college alternatives that the Midwest and East Coast markets enjoy, hockey fans flocked to Staples Center on Saturday night to see what could be their last high-level hockey game until the NHL work stoppage ends. An announced paid attendance of 10,074 witnessed the Monarchs continue their early season roll with a 5-0 win.

“Awesome to be back in LA,” a cheery Michael Cammalleri said after the game. “It’s a big win for us, it’s important. We’re playing a team that hasn’t won and we beat them earlier in the week. To win five to nothing like that and Hauser played a great game in net. We’re really happy with him.”

Adam Hauser continued his hot streak carried over from last season, stopping all 20 shots in route to his first shutout of the season. Hauser would face a two-man disadvantage in the first period that would test him against top prospects like Frederick Sjostrom and Keith Ballard.

“Every night, especially this league, this year, with as many great players as there are, it’s tough no matter what venue you’re playing in,” Hauser stated. “It’s tough here. I felt that right away, when they had a 5 on 3, it was do or die.”

However, after the early penalty kill, Hauser was never really challenged again as Utah struggled to sustain offensive pressure. Defenseman Troy Milam would provide all the production the Monarchs would need as he tallied his first career multi-goal game. Taking advantage of numerous power play opportunities, Milam would be the beneficiary of hard work and great puck movement down low that opened up the ice for easy shots.

And Milam wasn’t alone as Yanick Lehoux continued his torrid start with a highlight reel goal from behind the net in the second period and two power play assists. Offseason signee Tom Kostopoulos chipped in a pair of assists and physical winger Dustin Brown added a goal and an assist. Even tough guy Ryan Flinn got in on the scoring parade with an assist on the power play.

“It’s a team with a lot of guys who can put the puck in the net,” said Cammalleri. “Tonight it wasn’t me, it was some others guys, but that’s fine. That’s how it’s going to be this year. Night after night, you’ve got to come and do the job. It doesn’t matter who it is as long as you get the win.”

Saturday’s win sent the fans home happy, not simply because the Monarchs dominated from start to finish or that they received a sneak preview of several prospects that will be dressed in a Kings uniform in the next couple of years. But because for a brief moment in time, the Los Angeles hockey fans remembered what it was like to enjoy a hockey game at Staples Center – something they have been without for far too long.

Lehoux Continues Hot Streak

Lehoux’s goal and two assists gave him nine points and a +6 through the first four games. He currently leads all AHL scorers with a 2.25 points per game average. Lehoux’s production has been a point of contention for fans since he signed a multi-year deal in 2002. One of the best scorers in the QMJHL while playing for Baie-Comeau, many felt that Lehoux would be on the fast-track to the NHL. Frustration over a perceived lack of effort on the ice culminated when Los Angeles endured a season of record man-games lost to injury and Lehoux never received the call.

But if the first four games are any indication of the rest of the season, Lehoux appears to have quieted the critics. Manchester coach Bruce Boudreau said of Lehoux’s development, “It’s amazing. Sometimes the growth and maturity of somebody over the course of months when you’re dealing with young men. It doesn’t happen to 29-year-old guys, that they get so much better over that span. But a 21-year-old guy can get a lot better. That’s what happens. He’s growing up and you can see him growing up in front of your eyes and that’s good.”

It appears Lehoux has turned the corner in his development. There is a direct correlation between ice time and trust in the Los Angeles Kings system. Trust is built by hard work and attention to detail in practice. Not only has Lehoux been used as a weapon at even-strength, but he has been added as a fourth forward (in placement of a second defenseman) on the power play unit and even spent extensive time with the penalty killers.

What has all this newly found ice time meant? Production. Said Coach Boudreau, “He’s having a great start. Our goal is for him to continue to do that.”

Mental Toughness

For prospects, a lot of their drive and determination stems from the desire to reach the NHL. But this season poses a unique dilemma for prospects – there currently is no NHL to reach for. Some have taken this as an opportunity to prove to the casual hockey fan that minor league hockey can be just as competitive and entertaining as the NHL.

But with the work stoppage sending to the AHL numerous prospects that surely would be on an NHL roster, the level of competition has increased to the delight of minor league hockey fans. “You look at the line-ups and every team has four or five or six guys that are legit NHL guys,” said Cammalleri of the level of competition. “Any given night those guys will beat you.”

Having spent considerable time in both the NHL and AHL, Cammalleri has embraced the opportunity to be the only show in town. “You just go out and play right now. This is the level. So you go and try to win hockey games and be part of a team. We are the show right now.”

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