Slideshow: Kings Faceoffs: Game 4
LOS ANGELES – Wasn't the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl supposed to be presented at center ice with Kings captain Dustin Brown standing near it – but not touching it – as he took a picture with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman?
It didn't happen, at least on Sunday. The streams of confetti that was supposed to rain down onto an adoring and long-suffering crowd never escaped the Staples Center rafters.
The Kings took a 2-0 loss in Game 4 against Phoenix, ensuring that the Western Conference finals won't end in a sweep and a Game 5 will be played in the desert. It was quiet afterward but not before as their devoted fan base arrived early and was readying itself for a celebration.
The doors were opened three hours ahead of the noon start and those that heeded warnings to avoid the potential crush at L.A. Live with the Amgen Tour bike race finishing at game time were treated to free coffee and donuts, courtesy of the Kings.
The Register managed to pull together some scenes of the atmosphere before a game that ultimately didn't turn out the way the locals wanted.
Contact the writer: estephens@ocregister.com
