CANT SKATE BY CANNIBALS The Anaheim Ice Kings came 1 goal short for championship, losing 2-1 in OT. October 10, 2006- As the Kings narrowly slip into the playoffs the week before, the team that has been waiting for an opponent, the Cannbials, have secured their spot for some time. The two teams clashed up in a classic championship game that would take extra time to determine a Summer pre-season championship.

Right- Photo Credit: Mike Goodey- Kings defenseman Brian DeFazio tryin to skate around the Cannibals

At the beginning of the season if someone said that the Kings were in the championship game, you could say that the Kings made a big accomplishment. After all, who was not in the everyday lineup were 4 of the top 5 scorers of the 2005-2006 season. The lineup that the Kings put on the ice was not the familiar faces that have seen sucess in the past when the Kings won their last championship in 2002. However, this group that shaped the Summer of 2006 was made of hard working players that were competitive nearly every game night. That competitiveness saw the Kings gain points in 7 of the 10 games, which helped them earn the right to play against the Cannibals in the 2006 Summer preseason Championship Game.

As seen all season long, penalties would be a major factor in the game. Unfortunatly for the Kings, speical teams would be the difference in this game. Right out of the gate, the Kings would find themselves shorthanded in the opening two minutes. Even finding themseleves 2 man short, the Kings had a strong kill and the score remained scoreless. With 4:20 left, the Kings got a big boost when they were able to put in the first goal of the game. Dave Young wound a shot that was deflected right to Ozzie Tannenbaum who put it home for a Kings 1-0 lead. The Kings would carry out the rest of the first period with their 1 goal lead.

The Kings continued to battle and hold onto that one goal lead in the second peirod. However the Kings were playing with fire as they gave the Cannibals their second 2 man advantage late in the period. But once again, the Kings were able to dodge a bullet, and were 14 minutes away from winning the summer championship.

The Kings were getting closer and closer to snagging their first championship since 2002. But with 6:50 left in the period, the Cannibals were given their 5th powerplay of the night. This time, the Cannibals made it count when Chris Ferry ripped a shot from the blueline that went high on Kings goaltender Lennie Lopez and rang off the inside of the net to tie the game up at 1. Up to this point the Kings gave the Cannibals opportunites to tie up the game with numerous powerplay opportunities. But this time it was the Kings chance to capitialize on a powerplay chance of their own with :50 seconds left in regulation. The Kings had their opportunities, including a few point blank shots in the slot. But the shots always found there way around instead of in the net, and at the end of regulation, the game was tied at 1.

All season long, the Kings were in every game. All games with the exception of 1 was decided by 1 goal. Why would it be any different, that the championship game of the 2006 Summer season was going to be decided in overtime. The Kings had 1 minute left on the powerplay to try to wrap up the game. But the Kings were unable to capitalize and 4-4 overtime hockey action resumed. As soon as the powerplay expired, ex King Bob Quaid was able to get wide open in the slot, where he recieved the pass and fired home the game winner. For the second time in their history, the Kings would fall in the championship game in overtime.