LA Kings Earn Split In Split-Squad Pre-Season Series

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings opened the 2009-10 pre-season schedule by earning a split in their split-squad series against the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday night.

At Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona, Wayne Simmonds scored two goals for the Kings, but that was not enough as the Coyotes handed the Kings a 4-2 loss.

Erik Ersberg got the start in goal for the Kings, allowing two goals on sixteen shots in 40:00 of ice time.

Jeff Zatkoff started the third period for the Kings, allowing two goals on fourteen shots.

Ilya Bryzgalov went all the way in goal for the Coyotes, allowing two goals on fourteen shots.

At Staples Center in Los Angeles, defenseman Jack Johnson scored two goals and added an assist while Teddy Purcell and Justin Williams each scored a goal and added an assist to lead the Kings to a 4-3 victory over the Coyotes,

Mikkel Boedker, Keith Yandle and Peter Mueller scored for the Coyotes.

Johnson’s second goal at 11:06 of the third period drew oohs and ahhs from the crowd as he took a lead pass at the Kings’ blue line from defensive partner Rob Scuderi. Johnson carried the puck through center ice, splitting two Coyotes’ defenders at the Phoenix blue line. He them moved in on Coyotes goalie Al Montoya, deked in front and then lifted a backhand top shelf, beating Montoya over his left shoulder for a spectacular, highlight reel goal while the Kings were shorthanded.

Read the rest on Frozen Royalty.