Western Conference Finals Wrapup

For a 5 game series, this got nasty. Los Angeles continued their winning ways on the road by picking up games 1 and 2 in the desert, putting 8 goals behind Phoenix's staunch goaltender, Mike Smith. For the first time ever, most likely, the name "Cloutier" was trending on Twitter, following Jonathan Quick's half-ice folly when he allowed a goal from center ice in game 1. Any hockey historian, or frankly any long-time fan can tell you that in that moment, we saw a thousand scenarios that all resulted in the Kings season crumbling. Dustin Brown came out quickly and played some of his best hockey in this series, posting 2 points in game 1, including the game winning goal.

Game 2 was a 4-0 no-doubter which saw Jeff Carter potting his first career hat trick. (Even when I make jokes, my predictions are pretty solid. Go me.) Clear frustration began to break through for the Coyotes, taking 56 penalty minutes in the game. Mike Smith took a penalty after a vicious slash to the back of Dustin Brown's knee. The slash has raised some controversy as Brown was accused of embellishing, and even took the consequent penalty for it, but either way, the message was clear. Brown was getting under their skin. Earlier in the game, Phoenix Captain Shane Doan was sent off for a game misconduct for a hit from behind.

Game 3 found the Kings behind on the scoreboard for the first time in the month of May, as Phoenix took a 1-0 lead. It didn't last long as Anze Kopitar tied it on a breakaway goal less than 2 minutes later. Dwight King continued his scoring ways by potting the Game Winner early in the 3rd.

The Coyotes stayed alive in a comparatively uneventful game 4, captain Shane Doan potting both for the dogs.

Game 5 however, may have been one of the most entertaining hockey games of the playoff year. Heavy hitting abound, plenty of scoring, and OT. While many players on the Coyotes were unsatisfied with the officiating, they found themselves flat outplayed in an indescribably physical and hard fought game. Penner knocked the game winner past Mike Smith on a controversial play in which the Coyotes believed that Dustin Brown had gone knee-on-knee with Coyotes defenseman Michal Rozsival shortly after a whistle in the opposite zone.

Flavor of the series:

Caribou Lou.

Man that was fun, but what the heck happened?