Quotes from Winnipeg locker room after def LA 1-0 in OT

Kings at Jets (photo courtesy of LA Kings)

In their first trip back to the ‘Peg in 15 years, the Kings topped the Jets 31-27 in shots on goal. However, the home team had the edge in hits (28-26), blocked shots (24-12) and the all important scoreboard. It may have taken overtime to do it, but they finally downed the Kings 1-0 on a goal by Evander Kane.

After all the high-fives on the ice, here’s what the Jets were saying back in the dressing room…

Kane on his scrap with Jack Johnson – “Guys are going to stick up for each other and I’m no different…I know (Blake Wheeler) was trying to hit him in front. He was kind of coming this way and I thought the contact was made before the puck even got to him. I didn’t like the hit. Obviously, it was a big hit. So, I wanted to get in there and stand up for him.”

Goalie Chris Mason on the overall game – “It definitely felt like one goal would be the difference tonight, with the way we were playing and the way they played as well. We kind of figured it would be a low scoring game. With them coming in (having played last night), they didn’t play as tired as I thought they would.”

Mason on the Kings’ toughness – “I thought we did well. We know their game is puck possession. They get the puck down low and protect it. Their big guys have skill too. So, we knew it would be similar to the big line against Anaheim. They’re tough to defend. But, I thought for the most part, we did a great job.”

Mason on the pace of the game – “We got it to overtime and that’s the time when you really go for it. We were kind of thinking they would tire out as the game went on. But, they didn’t seem to.”

Wheeler on if this was a heavy game – “No doubt. That was as tough of a game as we’ve had. And we’ve played some really good teams lately. You have to tip your hat to those guys. They made everything really tough on us. Besides the breakaway I got stuffed on, there really weren’t any great (scoring) opportunities. They just kept us to the outside and played really hard.”

For a trip down memory lane – including some exclusive photos – see the article linked below for the story of Winnipeg and Wayne Gretzky’s last game as an LA King.

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