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    October 05, 2011

LA Kings Tune Up for NHL Season in Hamburg

   David Patrician | Hamburg, Germany
   Hamburg Freezers warm up before the game Photo: VOA - D. Patrician
   Hamburg Freezers warm up before the game

   The National Hockey League's [1]Los Angeles Kings had a successful
   final tune-up for the regular season, edging past the host Hamburg
   Freezers, 5-4, in an exhibition match.

   The Kings left for Sweden right after Tuesday night's game in Germany
   to prepare for their regular-season opener Friday in Stockholm against
   the New York Rangers. On Saturday, the Kings return to Germany to face
   the Buffalo Sabres in Berlin.

   The [2]NHL is truly a global League with approximately 25 percent of
   the leagues players this season having been born outside of North
   America. The NHLcontinues to try to grow thegame around the world, and
   these games in Europe are an important part of that effort. NHL Players
   Association Executive Director, Don Fehr, said it's exciting to bring
   hockey to European fans in their home markets 'where they can watch
   players from their home countries play with and against the best in the
   world.'

   The Kings started strong in their match against Hamburg, with Justin
   Williams scoring in the first minute of the game. Some fans wondered if
   it was going to be a one-sided game dominated by Los Angeles. However,
   after a slow start the Freezers came back when Serge Aubin, who played
   374 NHL games for Columbus, Colorado and Atlanta, gave Hamburg a 3-2
   lead in the second period.
   "The Freezers played with great speed and generated good passes",said
   Kings coach Terry Murray. He was impressed at the level of play and
   talent herein Germany.
   Hamburg Freezers Captain Christoph Schubert talks to reporters after
   the game
   [Hamburg Freezers Captain Christoph Schubert talks to reporters after
   the game]
   Even though the Freezers lost, team captain Christoph Schubert said
   "it's a thrill to play against anNHL team. Honestly speaking, it is
   probably every hockey player's dream to play in theNHL. To do that here
   in Germany, in front of our own fans, is simply a fantasticopportunity
   and we gave it our best shot tonight!"

   Even though that wasn't enough for the win, there were still more goals
   to be scored on the night. LA's Ethan Moreau pushed the Kings' to a 5-3
   lead in the third period, and just as the clock was winding down,
   Schubert, a former NHL player, gave the home fans reason to cheerwhen
   he brought the Freezers back within a goal. In a country where soccer,
   (or football as the locals call it) is the dominate sport, this
   exhibition game was a great chance for the NHL to gain new fans in
   Europe. When the Sabres and Kings play in Berlin on October 8, it will
   mark the first-ever NHL regular-season game played in Germany.

References

   1. http://kings.nhl.com/
   2. http://www.nhl.com/