TRH RECAP 59: Eight the Hard Way
KINGS 1, RED WINGS 0
Fresh off their win outdoors against their arch rival a sputtering team outside of the playoff picture, the LA Kings returned home to face the Detroit Red Wings.
And it was yet another a big game for the Kings. Not just because they were putting their seven-game win streak on the line, but it was also a memorable night for a former Kings Legend:
Tonight, we celebrate the career of Tony Granato in an #LAKings uniform. pic.twitter.com/qQeBzhuuMP
— WWWWWWWW (@LAKings) February 25, 2015
The unspeakable things I would do for that hat…
4/8/90 – Tony Granato beats Calgary’s Mike Vernon to give the #LAKings a 2-1 series lead in the Smythe Division Final pic.twitter.com/PpjyjYKNcz
— WWWWWWWW (@LAKings) February 25, 2015
Early 1990s Calgary Flames’ tears were the best tears.
Not only was Granato a integral part of the Kings during his seven years with the organization, but he was also being honored in front of the Red Wings, where he now serves as as an assistant coach under Mike Babcock.
And Red Wings fans couldn’t be happier that Granato was getting a few minutes to be recognized for his outstanding career.
Ugh! I like Tony Granato as much as anyone, but does he realize it's 10:40 our time? Drop the puck!
— MeltdownWRIF (@MeltdownWRIF) February 25, 2015
Shouldn't they have done this Granato honouring earlier…?
— DЯEDDy (@RedWingFanInVan) February 25, 2015
@dery1051 they started the game at 7:30 PT and did that Granato thing. Puck didn't drop till 10:45 ET.
— James Grzelka (@jamesg965) February 25, 2015
Hockeytown USA indeed.
The Kings jumped ahead early and hung on to shutout the Red Wings 1-0.
More importantly, there were a lot of fans wearing early 90s LA Kings jerseys at Staples Center…
So let’s check out the Top 10 Granato Era Jerseys from last night*!
(*from the time that I realized I should start taking pictures)
10) Rob Blake
The Michelin Man puffiness of the number knocks it down a notch,
but still far better than seeing one of these Rob Blake jerseys.
9) Wayne Gretzky
Again, a knockoff. But, again, a fitting tribute.
8) Luc Robitaille
It amazes me how many Luc Robitaille jerseys there are at Staples Center each game.
No, I literally mean it amazes me how many different jerseys Luc Robitaille wore with the Kings.
7) Kelly Hrudey
That’s good, but…
6) Kelly Hrudey (autographed)
Autograph trumps it, bro.
5) Tomas Sandstrom
I was so happy to see a few people wearing Tomas Sandstrom jerseys in attendance.
The Sandstrom-Granato trade shaped the Kings identity and it was a huge moment in Los Angeles.
When I was a kid, the NHL didn’t wait for a silly trading deadline… they made the big deals at the All-Star Break. pic.twitter.com/JSgpxEMdmp
— The Royal Half (@theroyalhalf) February 25, 2015
@theroyalhalf Sanstrom?
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) February 25, 2015
4) Corey Millen
Corey Millen only spent two years with the Kings, but man what a two years!
…that was literally the only video I could find.
But seriously, Millen was a joy to watch … when he wasn’t injured.
3) John Tonelli
…pictures are hard, OK?!
If you don’t know about John Tonelli, then you are missing out on
an All-Time Top 10 LA Kings Mustache.
2) Tony Granato
I was worried I wouldn’t see a Granato jersey before I headed home.
And you may think it’s hard to justify this not being No. 1
on a night that the man was honored, but I can explain…
1) The Granatoans
Because then I saw these Granatoans.
You rule, ladies.
3. Brayden McNabb
We really need a name for that spot just below the defensive blue line where Brayden McNabb hits people.
— The Royal Half (@theroyalhalf) February 25, 2015
@theroyalhalf McNabb's Playland ?(presented by McDonalds)
— Joel Goodling (@JoelGoodling) February 25, 2015
@theroyalhalf If it were two spots, it could be Scylla and Charybdis…
— Maggie Ansell (@VioletEyedCat) February 25, 2015
@theroyalhalf McNabb's Drive Thru
— 77 (@edwardvasquezz_) February 25, 2015
@theroyalhalf can we call it: "McNabb hitting the bar." Because he's Irish, get it?
— Sports NOT Sports (@SportsNOTSports) February 25, 2015
@theroyalhalf McHitting zone.
— Eric Riddle (@earrid) February 25, 2015
@theroyalhalf mcnabb's black and blue line
— Tom Horner (@HornerTom) February 25, 2015
@theroyalhalf pound town
— Jason Richardson (@jay_richiee) February 25, 2015
@theroyalhalf The Black Hole. Everyone he destroys they disappear.
— Gaspar Gamez (@GasparG23) February 25, 2015
@HornerTom @theroyalhalf The Mason Dixocussion Zone
— Billy Freeman (@wfreema) February 25, 2015
@theroyalhalf The Bray-Den of Lost Souls
— PumperNicholl (@PumperNicholl) February 25, 2015
@theroyalhalf the 'we will eventually wish hudson fasching was a king' zone
— Paul Treesum (@r8rpaul01) February 25, 2015
@theroyalhalf The Big Mac Zone, where you can get two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions and PAIN.
— Steve McKing (@Steve_McKinger) February 25, 2015
…let’s just call it a work in progress.
2. Justin Williams
Justin Williams can get it.
1. Jonathan Quick
Sure, it was a 20-save shutout win.
But was it an ELITE 20-save shutout win?
