With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Well That Was Something
I couldn't have imagined a more perfect setting for my final story on LAist. It was a perfect intersection between the two teams I covered the most on this corner of the net: the Dodgers and the Kings.
Let's make no mistake about it. This Stadium Series game was a spectacle. Who couldn't be in awe when Vin Scully serenaded the crowd with "It's time for…" before pausing. The normal refrain of "Dodger baseball" on the tip of everyone's tongue. With Bob Miller beside him, Scully continued on with "NHL hockey," to the cheers of 54,099 at the Ravine.
The teams entered from the centerfield gates as the USC marching band surrounded them. It was quite the spectacle.
Sponsored message
Just to see that opening act narrating the introduction to the game was worth the price of admission. It didn't matter that I was in the auxiliary press box located on the third base side right behind the glass. I could only see the top half of the players and nothing on the ice.
Sure there were some missteps. KISS and Five for Fighting performed. The NHL hired extras to play in the outfield during pregame and the first and second intermissions.
"Hollywood could not have scripted a more magical launch to the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series and this historic weekend for the National Hockey League," commissioner Gary Bettman said. "On behalf of all who enjoyed every minute of this exceptional evening, I congratulate the Kings and Ducks for writing another remarkable chapter in the history of hockey in California."
With the vantage point I had, all I could see is that the Ducks got out to an early 2-0 lead and didn't relinquish it. They added an empty-netter in the waning minutes of the game. It seemed par for the course for the Kings: 36 shots on goal and very few scoring chances.
But nothing could trump the spectacle that was the game.
"That was probably the coolest thing I've ever done playing hockey," Ben Lovejoy said.
Even Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau was taken back by the experience. "People say Californians are laid back," he noted. "I thought they were pretty into it tonight."
Sponsored message
As the game progressed the sounds from the Kings fans gave way to the joy from the Ducks fans whose team now took a 19-point lead in the standings against the hated rivals.
While I can't vouch for the quality of the game, I can say that it was probably one of the most interesting games I've been a part of. With this I'll drop the mic. Thanks to everyone who has read me over the last seven years. It's been fun.
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
