• 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 / NHL / Blue Jackets / Bernier laughs at any notion of a goalie controversy in LA

Bernier laughs at any notion of a goalie controversy in LA

February 16, 2013 By John Hoven

Jonathan Bernier Kings MayorsManorMake no mistake about it, Jonathan Quick is the Kings starting goaltender.

Yet, coach Darryl Sutter caught the attention of many people on Friday morning when it was learned Jonathan Bernier would be starting for the second game in a row. Even the guy playing was confused at first.

“I was a little surprised to be honest,” he told MayorsManor after the Kings 2-1 win over the Blue Jackets. “Billy (Ranford) told me to make sure I was ready, and you never know. So I was pretty happy to get that start.”

Part of the reason it wasn’t expected is Sutter is known for liking to play his number one goalie as often as possible. While a rational person could have reasonably predicted Bernier would have started one of the back-to-back games last weekend, the game vs. Columbus came after Quick hadn’t played since Sunday.

Still, the main reason Bernier thought he wasn’t playing came after he went to bed Thursday night without hearing from Sutter.

“I found out I was playing before the morning skate (on Friday),” he said. “I actually thought Quicky was in because if he doesn’t tell me the night before, that usually means I’m not in.”

Even so, he heeded the advice of Ranford and tried to get his mind ready just in case. The odds were long though, as Bernier hadn’t been given back-to-back starts with the Kings since January 2011 – more than two years ago.

“When you wake up that day of the game you want to make sure you’re getting focused for the game at night,” he said of his mental preparation. “But the day before you can’t think too much about it.’

The win pushed his record over .500, giving him a 2-1 mark on the season. Bernier also holds an impressive 2.08 goals-against average and has only let in one goal in each of his last two starts.

However, he isn’t thinking too far ahead – even with the Kings heading to Chicago now to begin a stretch where they’ll play three games in four days.

“I just go day-by-day,” Bernier said, sounding calm and relaxed through a French-Canadian accent.

Overall, he likes what he’s seen from his teammates over the last three games and is hopes they continue building on any positive momentum.

“I thought we were right on them,” he said of the game with Columbus. “We scored a big goal on that 5-on-3, that helps our power play get going…It was another great game by the guys. I think I had two shots in the second. When you give up 13 shots, you better find a way to win.”

There was one thing he wasn’t so clear on though. Bernier picked up an assist on Mike Richards’ goal, giving the Kings a 2-0 lead. It was his second career assist, But, when asked when the first one was he remarked, “I don’t know. Pee wee, maybe?”

For the record, it was April 1, 2010 in a game vs. Vancouver.

Despite any confusion on the assist, he was adamant and direct when asked if the Kings have any sort of a goalie controversy following his back-to-back wins.

First he laghed.

Then he added – “No, we don’t.”

No, they don’t.

Expect Quick to start vs. the Blackhawks.

Or not.

RELATED CONTENT: Bernier to start and Quick understands the situation

Follow @mayorNHL

Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please include a link to www.MayorsManor.com

Filed Under: Blue Jackets, HockeyBlog, Interview, Kings, NHL, NHL Players, Spotlight Story Tagged With: Bernier, comments, hockey, interview, Kings, Los Angeles, Mayor, NHL, Quick, quote, Sutter

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.

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Sunday morning notes – starting goalies, line-ups and links says:
    February 17, 2013 at 10:04 am

    […] – Despite his strong play over the last two games, Bernier laughs at the notion of a goalie controversy in LA. Story here. […]

  2. Wednesday morning notes – starting goalies, line-ups and links says:
    February 20, 2013 at 11:26 am

    […] – Jonathan Bernier was the first goalie off the ice at this morning’s pre-game skate. So, he looks to be the Kings starter. He’s played one game vs. the Flames in his career, a 3-1 loss on Oct. 10, 2010. Since then, they’ve won three straight games at the Saddledome. A few days ago Bernier talked about a possible goaltending controversy in LA here. […]

Primary Sidebar

Kings Of The Podcast

Kings Of The Podcast: Ep. 126 – Playoff Preview with Jason Gregor, Plus Dustin Brown Bonus

This week’s Kings Of The Podcast episode is beyond special. Not only is it the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoff Preview edition — which features the LA Kings for the very first time in KOTP history – but we also have bonus coverage from the Dustin Brown retirement press conference. Hear exclusive conversations with Brown, Rob […]

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Kempe on His Next Contract, the Kings Home Record, and Playing With Kopitar
  • Dustin Brown on His Future and Current State of the LA Kings
  • May 2022: LA Kings Salary Cap Update – What Can They Afford to do This Summer?
  • Drew Doughty: Full Transcript of 2022 Postseason Exit Interview
  • VIDEO: Todd McLellan Closing Media Session on Kings 2021-22 Season
  • VIDEO: Rob Blake Closing Media Session on Kings 2021-22 Season
  • Ontario Reign Projected Lineup vs. Colorado Eagles in Game 3; Plus Update on Kings Prospects Returning for AHL Playoffs
  • RD1, GAME 7: Kings Projected Lineup vs. Oilers; It All Comes Down to This
  • NHL RADIO REPLAY: Hoven on Kings-Oilers Game 7 Predictions
  • AHL Playoffs: Ontario Reign Projected Lineup vs. Colorado Eagles in Game 2; Turcotte Out, Plus a Goalie Swap

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

© 2022 MayorsManor.com