LA Kings: Trevor Moore “Really Excited” to Add to the US-Canada Rivalry
By Ryan Cowley
Two LA Kings contingents — one current, one former — from Team USA spoke to the media on Friday in preparation for their semi-final match vs. Canada.
Following a loss to open the tournament, Team USA has been unstoppable in Latvia at the 2021 World Championship. But, they are now set to put their seven-game winning streak on the line on Saturday as they face off with Team Canada with a spot in the championship game on the line. On Friday, a couple of LA Kings contingents spoke with the media about their semi-final matchup.
Trevor Moore, who has represented the LA Kings very well at the 2021 Worlds, scored twice against Canada in the preliminaries. In spite of his and his team’s vast success thus far, the Thousand Oaks native knows that they will have their hands full against a resurgent Canadian team.
“We know they play a similar style game to us. So we’re going to have to play hard grinding down just just try to roll them over,” Moore said during Friday’s media call. “I mean, when you come here to play for USA, you think about the US-Canada rivalry, so, I was really excited.”
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Brian Boyle, who was drafted 26th overall by the Kings in 2003 before spending the first two years of his NHL career with the club, also spoke with the media on Friday.
“Well, it’s obviously a big game,” Boyle noted. “Teams have earned the right to be in this game. So, I think for us, it’s a matter of relying on what it took to get here, relying on what has made us successful, and we need to continue to do that.”
USA and Canada met in the preliminary round back on May 23 and the Americans took full advantage, routing their Canadian neighbors by a 5-1 count, chasing netminder Darcy Kuemper — another former King — after the first period. Since then, Team Canada found their groove, reminding Team USA that they will be up against a much different squad on Saturday.
“I think it’s going to be a different game than it was in the preliminaries, obviously,” Boyle added. “We expect a better opponent. They’ve obviously improved as the tournament’s gone on, but I think, like I said, both teams have earned the right to play in this game. It’s a big game. There’s a lot of history between USA and Canada, so it’s exciting for us.”
Boyle has worn the “C” for the US since Justin Abdelkaeder was injured in the preliminary round. Team USA will be counting on Boyle for his experience and leadership.
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As for what they’ve experienced during the World Championship as far as being in a bubble goes, Moore and Boyle have both been impressed with how tournament organizers have made the setting a safe place for all of the teams involved.
“Yeah, it’s been great,” Moore emphasized. “I think they’ve done a great job of making us comfortable and given us everything we need. To be able to drive through the city has been beautiful. Obviously, a little bummed that we can’t experience more of it, but as far as what they’ve done to make us comfortable and give us a great experience, no complaints here.”
Boyle added his thoughts on the situation, echoing Moore’s sentiments.
“Yeah, I agree,” added the 36-year-old. “I mean, it’s the world we live in right now and the situation is unfortunate — we can’t get out and experience more — but again, we are here to play hockey, we’re here for a reason. So it’s been nice to, with not being able to go anywhere, really, we’ve done everything together as a group. From my personal experience of not being on a team this year, getting to be on such a team like this, which guys have gotten so close, I think, so quick. It’s really been a lot of fun. It’s a special group really, and for what we’ve been dealt, kind of, the way that the tournament and the hotel, and the people working here and the staff, I think we’ve been treated amazing. We have everything we need, we’re all together, [and] we’re having a lot of fun together. So, it’s really been an unreal experience for me.”
Of the LA Kings contingency in this game, seven players will be representing the current version of the silver-and-black. Along with Moore, Team USA consists of defensemen Matt Roy and Christian Wolanin, as well as goaltender Cal Petersen. For Team Canada, forwards Gabe Vilardi, Jaret Anderson-Dolan, and defenseman Sean Walker all represent the Kings.
Moore, Boyle, and Team USA take on Team Canada early Saturday morning for fans in North America. The fun begins at 7 am ET (4 am PT).