• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorsManor.com

NHL blog, LA Kings hockey news and interviews from The Mayor

  • Radio Replay
  • Prospect Rankings
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / comments / Kings-Sharks Game Two: High / Low with Jim Fox

Kings-Sharks Game Two: High / Low with Jim Fox

April 17, 2011 By John Hoven

The unofficial MayorsManor road reporter is back!

Jim Fox rejoins us today with his thoughts on the Kings 4-0 victory last night in San Jose.

As you may recall from his High/Low article following game one, Fox didn’t like the team’s minimal shots in the first period that night or their defensive zone coverage on the first goal against.

On the plus side, he was impressed with Justin Williams’ two-point performance and how they won the special teams battles – both on the penalty kill and with Dustin Brown’s power play goal.

What are his takeaways from game two? Let’s check in and see…

HIGHS

* Drew Doughty – he showed that the quicker the pace, the more effective he becomes

* Kings play making – with the puck and the lead, the Kings were still making plays, not just dumping it in…without the puck, the box-out skill of all defenders allowed Jonathan Quick to see the puck

* Energy line – nice to see Kyle Clifford, Brad Richardson and Wayne Simmonds get rewarded for tenacious play

LOWS

In a game where the Kings just took it to the Sharks from the opening face-off to the final horn, it’s really no surprise that Fox couldn’t come up with one low from the game.

They won 4-0 on the road.  Isn’t that enough?

Sure it yes.  Yet, I recall Fox saying the Kings 4-0 shutout in San Jose back on December 27, 2010 was one of the ‘five most complete games’ he’s ever seen the Kings play in team history.  That covers a lot of ground, considering he’s been on the TV side for 20+ years and more than eight seasons on the ice as a player.

So, I asked him to compare the two games.  Putting aside that last night was a playoff game, while the other one was a regular season contest – just as hockey games, how did they stack up to each other?

He said it was “understandable” that the Sharks lost the December game and “most people believe the Sharks had an excuse.”  Fox went on to explain that “one of the most difficult games to play is the first game after Christmas” – noting that the Kings had played the Ducks the day before, while the Sharks were still “eating Christmas dinner and opening their gifts.”  (Apparently, Canadians think people still open presents on 12/26 – even though that’s Boxing Day north of the border…but, anyway…)

In summary, Fox thought the Kings “were good with the puck in both games, maybe better defending in last night’s game though.”

And finally – what was up with that facial scruff last night?  TV viewers are used to the well groomed and polished Jim Fox.  Is it a playoff thing?

Of course it is! 

Although, Fox said “the beard is looking a little gray, actually looking a lot gray!”  At first he didn’t seem to mind the coloring, saying it showed his “experience” – but, then later adding “I might have to get out the Grecian Formula to add a little more color to the color-man.”

In all seriousness, the scruff is for the Kings Care Foundation and Fox wanted to thank all those who have pledged for him so far, saying he truly appreciated it all the support he’s been receiving.

To learn more or get involved, simply visit www.lakings.com/beardathon and enter his name after clicking the ‘Pledge a Friend’ button.

You can also go to his specific page here.  As of this posting, he’s in first place with $2,440 raised so far, half of his stated goal of $5,000.

Plus, you can vote for Fox in the ‘Beard of the Day’ contest on that site as well.

As most of you know, he’s an extremely active member of the Kings Care Foundation and is constantly working on their behalf in Southern California, especially with Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.

“Every little bit helps and I encourage anyone who can help to please donate or pass along the word to anyone you think may be able to help,” Fox said.

I’ll try to have more from Fox later on in the series.  Right now though, I think he’s on his way over to the store to get some beard dye.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

Shop for Los Angeles Kings Gear at Shop.NHLcom!Shop.NHL.com

Filed Under: comments, hockey, Interview, Kings, Los Angeles, NHL, Playoffs, San Jose, Sharks Tagged With: Clifford, comments, Doughty, HIgh, hockey, Los Angeles, Low, Playoffs, Quick, quote, Richardson, San Jose, Simmonds

About John Hoven

John Hoven is a former member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and co-hosts Kings of the Podcast. He's also the founder and editor of MayorsManor.com, which has been named Best Sports Blog in Los Angeles and Hockey Blog of the Year. Click "ABOUT OUR TEAM" below for a full bio.

Primary Sidebar

Kings Of The Podcast

Kings Of The Podcast: Ep. 151 – Trade Deadline Review

Time for a review of the week that was. Kings Of The Podcast hosts John Hoven and Dennis Bernstein look at everything the Kings did surrounding the 2023 Trade Deadline, including trading Jonathan Quick and acquiring three new NHL players over four days. They also touched on some of the information in these articles as […]

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Los Angeles Kings 2022-23 Prospect Update – NCAA Edition
  • Ontario Reign Projected Lineup at Tucson: Turcotte Expected to Return
  • Reign Recap: Ontario Falls To Tucson For 10th Straight Loss
  • Ontario Reign Projected Lineup at Tucson: Avoiding 10 Straight In The Desert
  • Projected Lineups – LA Kings vs. Calgary Flames; Heavy Hockey Incoming
  • Reign Recap: Ontario’s Struggles Continue With 5-2 Loss To Abbotsford
  • Ontario Reign Projected Lineup at Abbotsford Canucks; Plus Brief Update on Turcotte
  • Projected Lineups – LA Kings vs. Vancouver Canucks; Here Comes Spence
  • Ontario Reign Projected Lineup at Abbotsford; First of Weekend Series vs. Canucks
  • Projected Lineups – LA Kings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets; the Semi-Revenge Game

Tweets by mayorNHL

Footer

Archives

Tags

AHL Blackhawks Brown camp Carter Clifford coach comments Doughty draft Ducks history hockey interview Kings Kopitar lineup Lombardi Los Angeles Manchester Mayor MayorsManor Monarchs Murray NHL Ontario Penner Playoffs Prospect Quick quote Radio Reign Richards roster Sharks Stanley Cup Stoll Sutter Toffoli trade video WCB West Coast Bias Williams

MayorsManor

  • About Our Team
  • Contact Us
  • Store

© 2023 MayorsManor.com