52nd NHL ALL STAR GAME BRINGS EXCITEMENT TO PLAYERS 5 Disney Ice King players were lucky enough to be part of the over 18,000 fans at the NHL All- Star Game at Staples Center. The last time the NHL had an All-Star game in Los Angeles was back in 1981. 02.02.02-- It was announced in the middle of last season that the LA Kings would be hosting the 52nd NHL All-Star game at the "Arena of the Year," Staples Center. A year in the making, All Star Week was finally here and several of the Disney Ice Kings players were able to be a part of the All-Star experience.

One of the Kings attending the game was season ticket holder Dave Avila. In one sentence, he was able to wrap up the weekend experience--"it was worth it." It was also special to Avila to see LA King defenseman Jaroslov Modry participating in the game. Ziggy Palffy was the other LA King at NHL weekend. Captain Paul Costello also attended the game. "I've been waiting for 21 years, ever since my dad went to the 81 game to see the Triple Crown line at the Fourm," mentions Costello. The Kings top line, the 'triple crown line' started the forum 1981 game. Forward Stefano Palazzolo was next to Costello at the all-star game. When Palazzolo walked into Staples Center, he thought, "I cant believe I'm here." That was the same thought to season ticket holder Mike Brewster, who also was next to Costello and Palazzolo at the game. Also attending the All-Star game was KINGS season ticket holder, Tracy Lytle.

Right- Nikkoli Khabbibulin saved all 30 shots he faced in the third period, including 2 breakaways, which helped the world All-Stars comeback to win the game. Argubly, he was not named the MVP. - Fans walking into Staples were part of a new suprize as the revieled their new scoreboard that wraps around the arena. "It was awesome, the new scoreboard. It pumped me up," added Avila. As far as the game, it was one of the closest All-Star games in recent memory. Costello's favorite part of the game was when the world was down and came back, when Fedorov slapped the puck in the next to put the world ahead and later to victory. "Fedorov's goal was awesome," he added. As far as the funniest part of the game to Costello, it was in the first period when Teemu Selanne put on a show for the fans, and seeing Palazzolo's reaction to him. Selanne is Palazzolo's favorite player, and Costello puts in words how Palazzolo reacted. "Selanne scores a goal, he was happy. Selanne's second goal, he went crazy. After the second goal, and on (Selanne's) breakaway, he was jumping up and down on the seat, pushing at me." Unfortunally for Costello and Brewster, their favorite players, Luc Robitaille, and Pavel Bure, did not attend the game this season. Instead of "luuuuuuuc"ing everytime Luc would've touched the puck, Costello and most of the Staples Center Kings fan boooed whenever ex King Rob Blake touched the puck.

Left- Staples Center is home to the 2002 NHL All-Star game and named Arena of the Year. Not only did All-Star weekend come to Staples Center, but the NHL fantasy was going on between January 30 and February 2nd at the LA convention center. Brewster volunteered at the event, seeing players like the 1980 US Olympic gold metal team, and even Wayne Gretzky. The fantasy gave fans an opportunity to see how hard they can shoot a slap shot, accuracy shooting, get a players card, be a broadcaster, and even see trophies and the Stanley Cup! How did the Kings do at their skills? Costello came up with top awards with a 66 mph slapshot and 6-6 saves as a goalie. Avila had a 63 mph slapshot (with the ball), and Brewster had 69mph (with the ball) and 56 mph with the puck. Both Brewster and Palazzolo went 5-5 on goaltending and 1-4 on accuracy along with Costello.

The All-Star weekend has came to Los Angeles and is now gone. "The whole week was an increadble experience for me," notes Brewster. Now its time for business for the Kings fans. When it comes down to it, this weekend doesnt quite hold up to the experience if the Kings can make it in a Stanley Cup game this season.