The Utah Mammoth (1-4-1) avenged their preseason loss from earlier this week on Tuesday night to the Los Angeles Kings (4-2-0) with a 2-1 win on their home ice at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Oct. 2.
Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings fall to the Utah Mammoth in a close one-goal game in the preseason
It was only the third time this preseason in the past couple of weeks that the Kings played in a true road game against an NHL team this fall. The Kings projected roster for this upcoming regular season came into clear focus yesterday against the Mammoth. It was the first time that head coach Jim Hiller and the Kings played anything close to what the opening-night roster on the forward lines will look like.
Despite a goal from forward Alex Turcotte, the Kings fell by one goal to the Mammoth. The Kings had multiple chances to tie the game up on the scoreboard late in the third period last night, but Vitek Vanacek was a brick wall for Utah in net.
Turcotte and defenseman Brian Dumoulin spoke to the media after the Kings' one-goal loss to the Mammoth on Thursday night.
Here's a look at everything Turcotte and Dumoulin said to the media following the Kings' 2-1 loss to the Mammoth on the road on Oct. 2.
Brian Dumoulin
On the Kings' defense in the loss to the Mammoth
"I think that’s definitely one of the things that we stress, is not giving up any high danger chances against. Obviously, in that first, we gave up a few inner-slot shots, and I think obviously we just have to take care of the puck a little bit more. I thought our game got better as the game went on. But it was good to get back in a game."
On the preseason so far with the Kings in LA
"It was good to play with the majority of the team and see their games on the ice, obviously in game mode, and just obviously have to keep getting better throughout camp and this next one before we start the season."
On adjusting to the new locker room with the Kings this fall
"I think just understanding my teammates, defensive partner, kind of who I’m playing with, and different reads, and going through different things, faceoff plays, all the system, neutral zone, and just getting your feel for it. I mean, it’s a little bit different than what I’m used to. But I mean it comes, it’s just reps, and you just got to be out there playing. It’s not going to be perfect off the start, but I just want to get familiar with it as quick as I can, and learn my teammates, their tendencies, their games, and go from there."
On playing at home this weekend in the preseason for the first time
"I mean, obviously, it’s a whole different feel going to Crypto and feeling that game rink, and going through your pregame routine, and getting into that routine. Obviously, we play a lot there, so I’m excited for it. I know they just did a lot of renovations. I still haven’t really seen it as a home player, so I’m excited to see it."
Alex Turcotte
On playing multiple games in the preseason this fall with the Kings
"This was my fourth game. I feel really good. I feel each game I’ve gotten better, too, and more comfortable, and just getting the details down and the systems and stuff, you kind of forget about a little bit in the summer. It’s been good to get into a bunch of games, and yeah, obviously, I want the real thing to start as soon as possible, because I feel like I’m playing well."
On switching between the center and wing positions
"It’s good to be able to do that and have the coaches trust for that. I’m pretty comfortable on wing now too because of last season, so wasn’t too worried about it tonight, and I felt pretty comfortable. And I feel comfortable at center too, so it’s good."
On the goal he scored in the second period vs. the Mammoth
"He [Samuel Helenius] made a great play; [Joel Armia] had a great screen in front. So, yeah, I was just hoping he would get it to me, and obviously, he did. He made a nice little pass, and I was thinking shot the whole time."
On the improvement and development he's seen from Samuel Helenius
"Off the ice, I think he was a little bit more quiet before, obviously having to learn the language a little bit. Now, he’s a goofball. I’ve definitely gotten pretty close with him, and it’s cool to see his true personality come out. He’s grown a lot in that regard, and as a player, too, he brings a lot of size, tenacity, he’s tough, and he can make plays. I think he’s just getting more comfortable each year. I know it’s probably a difficult adjustment. I mean, I’ve never been through it."