Dafoe’s Streak Comes to an End
Boston goaltender Byron Dafoe, a former member of the Kings, came into the Great Western Forum on Friday night, figuring he was hotter than he has been in his life.
“I’ve never had a streak like this,” said Dafoe who hadn’t given up a goal in 151 minutes 29 seconds when the game started and extended that bit of perfection to 162:19 until the Kings’ Josh Green ended it with a power-play goal at 10:50 of the first period.
“I had two shutouts in a row last season, but I guess I’ve had only about 131 or so shutout minutes,” Dafoe said.
How soon he forgets.
Dafoe had a shutout streak of 162 minutes nine seconds from Dec. 28-Jan. 7 of last season. That included shutouts of Ottawa and San Jose.
“You need a lot of things, including a little luck, and I’ve had it,” Dafoe said.
“The other night at Colorado, there was a goal waved off because of a man [the Avalanche’s Chris Drury] in the crease. He had just beaten me.”
Few have, and none since he gave up three goals in a season-opening 3-3 tie with St. Louis. Until his luck ran out with Green.
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King defenseman Garry Galley and center Roman Vopat were scratches for the third game in a row, and they were joined by winger Matt Johnson on Friday night.
Center Ray Ferraro, who sat out the first two games, was in uniform, skating on a checking line with Russ Courtnall and Craig Johnson. Ian Laperriere had centered that line in the first two games until partially tearing a knee ligament.
Winger Steve McKenna, who was scratched for the season’s first two games, played on lines centered by Ferraro and Nathan LaFayette.
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The Hockey Hall of Fame sent along the Norris Trophy, which the Kings presented again to Rob Blake before Friday’s game. . . . Boston’s Tim Taylor sat out Friday night because of a sprained ankle. . . .
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Defenseman Mark Visheau, sent to the Long Beach Ice Dogs by the Kings after breaking his thumb in a fight in an exhibition game, is scheduled to begin skating again today.
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