Kings prospect Brandon Kozun started the season with a modest six-game point streak. He was then held off the score sheet in the Monarchs two most recent games, played last weekend. So, it was time to get things going again.
With his regular center (Andrei Loktionov) nursing a minor injury, Kozun played with Marc Andre Cliche to his immediate left. However, the change didn’t seem to bother him, as he led all players in the game with six shots and picked up two goals. Kozun continues to lead the team with ten points through the first nine games.
The line combinations were as follows:
Dwight King – Marc Andre Cliche – Brandon Kozun
Nikolay Prokhorkin – Linden Vey – Tyler Toffoli
Rich Clune – Andy Andreoff – David Meckler
Tanner Pearson – Robbie Czarnik – Stefan Legein
Jake Muzzin – Slava Voynov
Mike Matczak – Nick Deslauriers
Andrew Bodnarchuk – Thomas Hickey
Wednesday night was to mark the the return of Kozun’s former teammate, Ray Kaunisto. The ‘Super Yooper,’ originally signed by the Kings as a college free agent in 2010, left for the St. John’s Ice Caps via free agency over the summer. However, with the influx of NHL players in the AHL this year due to the ongoing lockout, Kaunisto has been spending time in the ECHL. Thus, their on-ice confrontation will have to wait. For now, they can continue to chirp each other on twitter.
Dwight King, who had been held pointless in the three games since making his season debut on October 27, assisted on Kozun’s second goal on and empty netter by Tyler Toffoli.
Kings defenseman Slava Voynov opened the scoring with a power play goal midway through the first period.
Here are some game highlights followed by comments from Monarchs coach Mark Morris, defenseman Nick Deslauriers, Kozun and goalie Peter Mannino…
Next up for the Monarchs are the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Friday.
Until then, be sure to check out the free replays of some recent MayorsManor shows below. Several Monarchs players / Kings prospects have stopped by for extended chats…
MayorsManor Live Radio with Brandon Kozun
MayorsManor Live Radio with Dwight King
MayorsManor Live Radio with Jordan Nolan
MayorsManor Live Radio with Martin Jones
Ray Kaunisto: Reflections on Manchester and some Word Association
Also, for a full list of recent LA Kings players who have stopped by the show of late – including Dustin Penner, Jeff Carter, Drew Doughty, Alec Martinez, Kevin Westgarth and more – click here.
