High times for Fraser, Kings

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This article was published 02/06/2012 (5222 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEWARK, N.J. — There’s a frightened puppy and a happy papa at the Fraser house in Langley, B.C., these days.

“My mom said my dad screamed so loud he scared the dog,” said Los Angeles Kings centre Colin Fraser, who scored his first-ever playoff goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup on Wednesday night. “My wife texted me before the game and said it would be great if I could have a career-high two-point playoff game. And then I went out scored. So whatever she wants me to do, I’ll do it.”

Fraser scored the opening goal of the Stanley Cup Final in the Kings 2-1 overtime win against the New Jersey Devils. Game 2 is tonight (7 p.m., CBC).

Fraser and the rest of the Kings have been doing nothing but laughing during these Stanley Cup playoffs, running their post-season record to 13 wins and just two losses with their victory in the series opener. In an effort to keep the good times rolling the Kings relaxed as a team on Thursday night at a comedy club before getting back to serious business on Friday morning.

“We were lucky to get the win in Game 1 on a night where we didn’t play very well,” said Kenora native and Kings centre Mike Richards. “We know they’re going to be better and we have to be as well. We didn’t have our legs. We didn’t move very well and it showed. The layoff hurt us in that respect. You can practise all you want but it’s not the same as skating in a game and getting hit in a game. We’re back into a series now so I don’t see that being an issue as we go forward.”

Winnipeg native and Devils centre Travis Zajac said his club looked at video Friday morning and have a focus on what they want to change for tonight.

“We didn’t support one another on the forecheck. It was always just one guy against two of theirs so they won a lot of the puck battles,” said Zajac. “We’ll look to correct that. It’s not about just a couple of guys. It takes a team effort and we have to pull in the same direction. We’ll be better.”

Kings coach Darryl Sutter says it’s impossible to say why a team plays its best one night and not another.

“Just because it’s playoffs, everybody doesn’t always play their best game, right? The first series we played against Vancouver, the game we lost against them was clearly the best game we played. They’re people. They’re not machines,” said Sutter. “It will be the same (Saturday). We want everybody to bring their best. But, you know what, you get a bad bounce, bad call, bad change. That affects the game. That’s how close the teams are. Instead of a whole goal, it’s like one more chance on half a goal, so… I expect both teams will play hard tomorrow night. You can bet on that.”

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @garylawless

STANLEY CUP FINAL

(Best-of-7)

Los Angeles vs. New Jersey

(Kings lead series 1-0)

Wednesday Result: Los Angeles 2 New Jersey 1 (OT)

Today’s Game: Los Angeles at New Jersey, 7 p.m. (CBC, NBC, RDS)

Monday, June 4: New Jersey at Los Angeles, 7 p.m. (CBC, NBC, RDS

Wednesday, June 6: New Jersey at Los Angeles, 7 p.m. (CBC, NBC, RDS)

x-Saturday, June 9: Los Angeles at New Jersey, 7 p.m. (CBC, NBC, RDS)

x-Monday, June 11: New Jersey at Los Angeles, 7 p.m. (CBC, NBC, RDS)

x-Wednesday, June 13: Los Angeles at New Jersey, 7 p.m. (CBC, NBC, RDS)