December 9, 2017- The defending 2016-17 and Summer 17 League Champion Anaheim Ice Kings kicked off their 20th Anniversary Season, proudly displaying 10 League Championship banners in that span. Its a big year for the Kings, as they are the second longest tenure team at Anaheim Ice next to the Flames. On the opening day roster for 2017-18, 5 players remain that played in the first year of 1998.

Like clockwork every holiday season, the goalie that has the most games played and the most wins in team history would be absent as he makes his annual trip to Puerto Rico. Lennie Lopez has a chance to hit win number 200 this season. No other goalie is even close--the next has 79 wins. In his absence, the newest member of the Kings roster would trade in his forward skates and put on the pads. Jose Landeros is a players teammate, and when the opportunity came to have him join this upcoming season, it was well received with his comrades.

Yet, it was sometime since Landeros faced a shot in net. In addition, the Kings were off a few weeks and were on championship hangover. Thirdly, the Kings would face the same team they played in the playoffs, and their 3rd out of their last 4 games. The result-- the M.O.B. came out of the gate, jumping all over the Kings in the first period. They would score 3 goals before the Kings would begin to get the rust off their skates.

However, champions find a way to get things done, and the Kings found their way to get right back into this game. It started with a late goal in the first period to give them life. M.O.B.'s goaltender Philip Lowther's attempted clear landed on the stick of Mike Goodey, who was glaring at practically an empty net to put in the Kings first goal before the first period expiration.

Ryan Cordes' slap shot scares kids. Its enough to scare adults and early in the second period, it was screaming by Lowther for the Kings second goal, and the Kings were in business. Not even a minute later, Stefano Palazzolo made his return in grand fashion, erasing the 3 goal deficit with his one time shot to tie the game at 3.

The M.O.B. settled down after letting their lead slip away 2 minutes into the second period. They would get their lead back with 40 seconds left in period 2 to give them a bit of a sigh of relief. But not for long. The Kings would come out to play their game in the third period and take it over. Marvin Lee had a pair of goals to not only tie the game, but to give the Kings their first lead of the night at 5-4. Goodey would add his second goal off the night when he re-directed a shot from Tracy Lytle. The final goal was credited to Brandon Lourenco, and the Kings came back from 2 deficits and took over the third period to open the season with a 7-4 victory.

The Kings were able to overcome early adversity and come up with the victory. "It's nice how we battled back after a 3-0 deficit and allowed Jose to settle in. It shows our resilience," commented Mike Goodey. Landero's made 20 saves for his first victory in net as a King, and the Kings opened the season with a nice feel good win.