Right: Kings Justin Goodey (left) and Paul Costello standing up the blueline earlier this year against the Outlaws - Photo by: Jenn Rivo

It was over 9 months ago when the Kings were able to celebrate real sucess when they snuck in to the finals and defeated the San Diego Panthers in the 2008 Las Vegas Classic. Since then, the Kings have put up a 10-18-3-1 record, including 2 missed playoffs during the spring and summer and a winless regular season to kick off the 08-09 campain. However the Kings record doesn't reflect howD close they have been in most of the games played. And it really hasn't been fair to the players that have battled every game to say they still do not have a win to show for this season.

When two of the Kings regular defenseman were out of the regular roster for 08-09, one of your top point producers sidelined, and a line-up that was inconsistant more nights than not where some games most of the roster is absent, I think it is fair to say that we have not seen the best of this team. After captain Paul Costello lead his team in a lockerroom pregame speech, the Kings battled to their best game of the season against the best team in the league. Four unanswered goals in the first 5 minutes and 15 seconds had the best team in the league, the Outlaws, sitting back and enjoying their early 4 goal lead. But the Kings battled back, and put up 4 unanswered goals of their own to tie the game at 4 halfway through the game. The Outlaws scored two quick goals to end the second period with a 7-5 advantage, the Kings battled back in the third all the way down to the final seconds. It seemed as the tying goal was on the stick of some players, but the Kings were unable to tie the game up, on their way to their 6th loss of the season. However that game against the Outlaws didn't feel like a win; if anything, many positive steps were achieved and it looked as if the team was heading in the right direction.

Then came their final game of the 08 calender year, and it seemed as if things were back to square one. The Kings, barely putting enough players to fill up two lines, also had to deal with players in not so familiar positions to fill the gaps in the line-up. The Kings were no match against the speedy Devil Dogs, tearing up the Kings 8-2.

Looking forward to 2009, there is one thing that has to be achieved in order for a turn around to this season. Commentment. We have seen what the Kings can do against very good teams when they have their full roster. They took the best team in the league to the brink, only to fall 1 goal short in a great contested match-up. No one could argue that nearly all positions have been struggling from the goaltender, to the defensive performace all the way to the goal production. However some players have hit the ice during the winter break to hopefully shake the bad cobwebs that have been sticking to this team as of late.

The new year also brings new optimisim for a team that despritley needs a turnaround. One of their top guns will be coming back from injury shortly, as Kevin Costello is hopefully in his final weeks recovering from his heel injury. Marc McGinnis rejoins the Kings in the new year, bringing that much needed grit and size. A couple of team bonding events are taking place, including the purple and white game at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario in February, and the Las Vegas Hockey Classic in March. So looking forward, there is plenty of time and optimisim for this Kings team to turn things around, possibly just in time for a playoff run.