September 17, 2008
Coyotes rookies fall to Kings rookies, 2-1
GLENDALE -- It was only a short window into the future of the Phoenix Coyotes Tuesday night, but Wayne Gretzky liked what he saw – especially from the teenage tandem of Kyle Turris and Mikkel Boedker.
Even though the duo and 19 other Coyotes rookies fell 2-1 to a group of rookies from the Los Angeles Kings in an exhibition game at Jobing.com Arena, the coach said he was impressed by the sense of composure both exuded during the game.
"What happens, especially when you're 18, as both those guys are, is that you try so hard, especially your first game," Gretzky said. "The one thing that makes those players so successful is that they play so calm and so at ease."
Turris, 19, the third overall pick in the 2007 draft, saw action at the point on the power play throughout the night and had a few good chances, including a clear shot that forced Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier to make a kick save in the first period.
The 18-year-old Boedker, meanwhile, displayed some of his speed that made him the No. 8 overall selection in the 2008 draft.
The two are rooming together during the team's rookie camp, which started last Saturday.
"He's a good player," Boedker said of Turris. "We've got a little bit of chemistry already. He's a tremendous player. He can do everything. He's got the shot, he can skate, he's got the hands to do the moves and obviously, if you give him the puck, he'll find the net somehow.
"Today, I didn't give him the puck, so that shows a little bit on the scoreboard. If we would've gotten the puck to him a few times, I bet it would've been 3-2 Phoenix."
Turris made his NHL debut April 3 against the Dallas Stars, playing a total of three games last season. He also helped Wisconsin to the NCAA tournament with 38 points (11 goals, 24 assists) in 36 games.
Boedker was with Kitchener of the OHL last year, and scored 73 points (29 goals, 44 assists) in 62 games.
"The thing about guys like Mikkel and Kyle is you can see the abilities and the pure talent they have," Gretzky said.
Both are angling for a roster spot when veterans report to training camp this Saturday.
"I've got to show that I'm strong enough to compete," Turris said. "Little parts of my game, I've got to speed up. Shooting, passing, defensive awareness – everything needs to get to that next level when you're in the NHL. I've got to improve on a lot of things."
Added Boedker, "I need to see if I can shoot the puck a little more instead of always looking for the pass. You don't have much time here and obviously, a shot is better than nothing. I'm just trying to get in here and skate hard and show them that I'm prepared."
After a scoreless first period Tuesday night, the Kings got on the board when Oscar Moller corralled Wayne Simmonds' shot off the post for a 1-0 lead.
Phoenix answered just 30 seconds later when Tyler Johnson backhanded a shot past Martin Jones, who had replaced Bernier midway through the second.
Simmonds' second chance goal on his own rebound at 5:13 of the third wound up the winner.
The two teams play again Wednesday at 2 p.m.
BOX SCORE
Los Angeles 2, Phoenix 1 (F)
1st Period
Goals:
None
Penalties:
PHX - 76 Perry - 2 min. holding - 8:16
PHX - 54 Billingsley - 2 min. hooking - 12:53
LA - 45 Bernier - 2 min. tripping - 15:19
PHX - 46 Brodeur - 5 min. fighting - 17:45
LA - 56 Clune - 5 min. fighting - 17:45
LA - 56 Clune - 2 min. instigating - 17:45
LA - 56 Clune - 10 min. misconduct - 17:45
2nd Period
Goals:
LA - Moller 1 (Simmonds) 14:12
PHX - Johnson 1 (Perry, Motherwell) 14:42
Penalties:
LA - 80 Doughty - 2 min. tripping - 7:45
LA - 50 Holloway - 2 min. hooking - 12:05
LA - 60 Dravecky 2 min. hooking - 15:06
3rd Period
Goals:
LA - 57 Simmonds (Moller, Campbell) 5:13 - GWG
Penalties:
PHX - 46 Brodeur - 2 min. hooking - 9:01
LA - 80 Doughty - 2 min. holding - 11:37
Shots on Goal:
Phoenix: 38 (10-17-11)
Los Angeles: 27 (10-9-8)
Starting Goalies:
Phoenix – Kurtis Mucha
Los Angeles – Jonathan Bernier (Goalie Change at 10:08 - Enter 65 Jones)
Scratches
Phoenix
Sean Sullivan
Sean Zimmerman
Los Angeles
Thomas Hickey
Davis Drewiske
David Meckler
Trevor Lewis
Jeff Zatkoff
Linden Rowat
Justin Azevedo
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