No doubt, the Kings arrived in Minnesota looking to put their two OT losses to the Wild from last week behind them. They owed that team, if you will. And tonight, LA not only scored the first goal of the game (a first this season), they also closed out the game late and came away with a 2-1 win.
Following the final buzzer, here’s what Cal Petersen had to share:
On the blocked shots by Alex Iafallo and Mikey Anderson in the final minute of play
I think any big win where there’s a scramble at the end or the team pulls the goalie, I think you can always key that to big blocks as a reason that the puck never gets to me. The further away it is from me the better. Anytime guys sacrifice their bodies, that’s when you have the right guys on the ice and guys that want to win it all costs. Those are huge blocks and we’ll take them and that’s the reason that we win hockey games there at the end.
On if he felt calmer in net, more in control, tonight versus his previous start
I approached at the same way. I think it’s more so building with each game. It’s been a while since we played hockey and I think any game experience I can get I’m just trying to get better with each game. I think so far in the season, each performance set up before, I felt like I’ve been a little better each performance and now things are starting to come together a little bit. To be able to win is the main thing, anytime I can do that I feel confident in my game.
On if the prep work he does before games is more about watching his last game or preparing for the team he’ll be facing
It’s both. Anytime I play I like to digest the game with [Bill Ranford] the goalie coach and we go over stuff. Watching it again and take the emotion out of it, and either you feel better about the game or worse about the game, but either way you’re learning from it. That’s something I like to do and then that’s usually a day or so before the game and then the day of the game it’s all about the team that we’re playing and preparing for whatever we’re gonna face because there’s different teams that bode well for different styles and stuff yet to be aware of. To your question, it’s a little bit of both it just kind of falls on different days.
On if he thought he had the allowed goal covered under his pad
I don’t think it was a matter of it being covered. I think it was more so whether the guy pushed my leg in. That play in general is kind of tough for any goalie. When your skates up against the post there’s a little bit of a gap there and it’s a vulnerable spot to get in. I think it could have it could have gone either way. It’s gonna be hard for me to get that call. It’s just one of those things that you kind of have to put more of your body in front of that and make sure it’s fully sealed so you can withstand if you catch a couple whacks or whatever so that’s something I’ll get a little bit stronger on moving forward.
On the importance of killing the penalty after losing the challenge
It was huge. It could have been the turning point of the game. It was actually a rule that I didn’t really realize, I was kind of confused why one of our guys is going to the box. After that it was understood but it’s a gamble, but we have really smart guys looking at the video and I don’t think we would do that unless we’re sure or had a case in it and unfortunately the side we saw on the other side, but then it’s up to me and the other killers to kill it off. It’s just part of the deal, it’s designed to get a few more goals I guess. It is what it is, and I’m glad that we battled and killed it off and were able to win the game.
More postgame comments linked below.
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