13 PROVES TO BE A LUCKY NUMBER IN LAS VEGAS The Kings #13 Stefano Palazzolo leads the way in points, as every King player figured in on the scoring in the Las Vegas Tournament March 25, 2005- Who says the number 13 is unlucky? Even though the casino's on the strip in Las Vegas may not have a number 13 floor, but the Kings have a number 13. And that number 13, along with nearly every player on the Kings roster made it possible to dominate in Las Vegas.

Left- #13 for the Kings Stefano Palazzolo raises his hands in celebration after he sets up Dave Avila for his first goal of the championship game against San Diego. #13 was lucky, leading the team with 7 points - Its been a while since the Kings can say they actually played like a team. That was the best thing, other than their championship in the tournament, that could've happened right before the playoffs. The team as a whole clicked together, and played very well. Up and down the line-up, the entire team played as a team, contributing to each one of their victories. And it was the team play, that bascially made it effortless to defeat the defending 3 time champion of the Las Vegas Tournament.

First of all, you have to look at the MVP of the Las Vegas Tournament, Dave Avila. Avila netted 5 goals, including the only two for the Kings in the championship game. Next in line in the goals for the Kings is rookie Mike Goodey. Goodey ended the tournament with 5 points, tied with Avila for 3rd on the team. The Kings wouldn't have been in the position they were in if it wasn't for some of Goodey's goals. Then Goodey's center linemate Will Damiter. Damiter came up big, especially in the championship game, winning key faceoffs. Will ended the tournament with a goal. Mike Brewster scored the overtime winner in Game 1 to give the Kings their first win of the tournament. That goal recognized Brewster as part of the All-Tournament Team. Brewster is 5th on the team in scoring with 2 goals and 2 assists. Brewster's right winger Dave Young... well he's appopritatly named 'crazy'! Young always kept the forchecking and pressure on the opponents, as well as scaring them at times, which gave the Kings plenty of offensive opportunites as well as keeping the puck out of their own zone. Young had 1 assist. Scott Delong continued his hot streak, putting up a goal in the tournament. Delong's shot is underrated, as he puts on one of the hardest shots on net, with a quick release. Delong has been the hottest King in the second half of the regular season. And how can we forget Stefano Palazzolo, who lead the Kings in points with 7. Palazzolo was key in setting up many of the Kings goals, leading the team with 6 asssits. He also skated every shift, keeping the pressure against the teams he faced. #13 for the Kings was a lucky number, as he was able to control the play and help his team put those goals in net.

There were only three defenceman holding down the fort thoughout the whole tournament. Tracy Lytle did what he does best... DEFENCE. One key play happenend in the final game when Lytle layed down his stick, preventing a San Diego breakaway. But Lytle also jumped in and became part of the offensive attack as well. Lytle had 2 assists in the tournament. Then captain Paul Costello argubly played his two best games from end to end in a while in the final two games against San Diego. From the defence to the offence, P. Costello was flying everywhere on the ice. Not to mention, holding the team together, to get them through the tournament. P. Costello was second on the team in points, with 2 goals and 4 assists. And a member of the All-Tournament team for his defence, Jared Anderson. Anderson, playing hurt after taking a shot to the foot early game 1, was also everywhere on the ice throughout the tournament. His ability to jump into the play help generate alot of King opportunites. And when he needed to get back, Anderson was able to beat the oppoents back 9 times out of 10.

A speical thanks have to go out to those that are not regular memebers of the Disney Ice Kings. Victor Chavez of the Buzzards came up big, putting in 1 goal and 3 asssists. His ability to backcheck prevented alot of odd man breaks the other way, and his puck handling and talent showed as he became more comfortable as the games went along. Also who came up big is Kings prospect Kevin Costello. K. Costello scored the game winning goal in Game 2, and was very strong in the faceoff circle all tournament long. A brilliant suprize to the line-up, K. Costello never gave up an odd man break the other way, and generated some scoring chances of his own. And in net, goaltender Chris Pusateri. If it wasn't for Pusateri's saves in the third game of the tournament in Game 3 vs. San Diego, the Kings may have had a different outcome. After the Kings build a 4-1 lead, San Diego came strong to try to get back into the game, put Pusateri was there, making several brilliant saves. His play continued into the championship game, where he was 30 seconds away from a shutout. Pusateri was part of the All-Tournament team as the goaltender.

As you can see, every player in the Las Vegas Tournament played their role in making this tournament championship a reality. "Even when they tied the game, I never ever thought we would lose those games. The team had so much confidence, I havent seen that kind of confidence in a long time," says captain Paul Costello on the way the team played as a team. Now if the Kings can continue their team play, there is no doubt that they could take on the best teams in their division in route to the championship at Disney Ice.