Right: Photo Credit: Ryan MartinNot only did Kevin Costello get his first playoff goal, he got 3 of them. His line help spark the Kings comeback by figuring in all but 1 of the scoring plays - Going into the 2007 playoffs, the Kings knew that it was not going to be a walkthrough to the playoffs, even though they only posted 2 losses in 21 games. Ironically enough, the 2 teams the Kings lost to are 2 of the 3 teams the Kings would face in the post season. One of those teams is Closing Time, who the Kings faced off in their first playoff game.

One of the obsitcles the Kings had to face was playing the game without their captain and leading scorer Paul Costello. Also, Scott Delong has been moved to the forward line and have had a hot hand as of late, but was serving a 1 game suspension after an incident from the last game of the regular season. To add to the fire, the Kings would be under the gun very quickly into the game. On the opening faceoff and 7 seconds into the game, the Kings would find themselves already facing a penalty kill. Before a minute could even pass in the game, Closing Time already got on the board for a 1-0 lead with a powerplay goal from Jeff Cheseboro. A few minutes later, Matt Shickling slid a puck on the ice that went through Lopez's legs and into the net for a 2-0 lead. With about 5 minutes left in the first, the Kings really had their backs to the wall. Alex Shickling broke into the Kings zone and put in Closing Times 3rd goal for a commanding 3-0 lead, stunning the Kings and the Kings fans. At this point of the game.

Once again, the never die attitude of the Anaheim Ice Kings would be prevalent in this game. With 3:26 left in the first, Stefano Palazzolo had his chance to get revenge after being called to the box early for one of Closing Times goal. Palazzolo would recieve a pass from Mike Goodey with not much room to manouver. His shot was redirected in and the Kings were finally on the board. "I knew i had to get one back to even it up. I knew since it was a playoff game that I had to step it up," recalls Palazzolo recalling his first goal of the playoffs. 19 seconds later, the Kings got a big boost as the first line was back at it again. This time Kevin Costello would get his first career playoff goal once again from the stick of Mike Goodey, and now there was some life on the Kings bench. "When we got the second goal 19 seconds later, I knew we were in the game." And the Kings were defenitly back in the game. With 1:33 left in the first, the 3 goal Closing Time lead was now a thing of the past as the Kings got a huge goal from Brian DeFazio shorthanded. DeFazio skated around the Closing Time defense, put it on net, and tied the game up at 3.

This was a new Kings team that was hitting the Ice to start the seccond period. "When we tied the game, it was a whole different game I knew we had all the momentum. It was great to see how much heart this team has," says Mike Goodey. And it was Goodey's play along with his line that began the comeback, and they weren't done yet. Halfway through the game, the Kings were given an opportunity to get that lead with the powerplay. The Kings would snag that first lead of the night when Kevin Costello recieved a pass from Jared Anderson took a shot high slot and slid it in for his second goal of the night. The Kings were now in full command, and really pressed against the Closing Time players. The opportunites the opponents had in the first were absent in the second, and the Kings took their 1 goal lead into the third period.

To say the next goal being huge would be an understatement. The Kings would score their 5th unanswered goal when Kevin Costello completed the hat trick, agian scoring from the slot. Mike Goodey had a hat trick of his own, with his 3rd assist and the top line was flying high for the Kings. With 9:20 left in the game, the Kings now built a 2 goal lead. However Closing Time began to build some steam as the Closing minutes of the game approached. With 1:49 left, the Kings Justin Goodey was trying to slow down the oncoming rush when he was blown down for interference. Closing Time capitalized when they crashed the net and found a loose puck, narrowing the Kings lead back to only 1 now at 5-4. 50 seconds left in the game, and once again the Kings tried to prevent the rush when this time Tracy Lytle was called own for interference, and Closing Time would get their chance to tie up the game on the powerplay in the final minute. Several tense moments occured in the Kings zone, but they were able to hold off Closing Time to complete the comeback and take Game 1 of the playoffs.

After dropping the first 3 goals, Kings players were on edge as they possibly saw their sucessful season all go down the drain in a matter of the opening minutes of the first playoff game. "I was scared as hell, cause i knew this team was hard to beat and they came right out of the gate ready to play," says Kings left wingner Mike Goodey. And they were ready to play, but the Kings were ready to respond, and respond they did. "I dont think i was ever part of a such a momentum shift that changed the whole game. They never got the momentum back until their powerplay in the last minute of the game," adds Palazzolo. Hopefully, the Kings will be able to carry that momentum into the remaining games of the playoffs.

GAME NOTES:
The top 3 teams all defeated their first opponent in the 2007 playoffs. The Kings will once again face a team that has defeated them in the past, the Oilers, who dropped their first game.. Mike Goodey became the scorer to the setup man, setting up 3 goals in game 1. He will not be in action for Tuesday's Oilers game, but the Kings will have their captain back who missed game 1 on family leave.