My apologies for the long delay between updates but a lot happened in the last two weeks of January, not only for the Los Angeles Kings but their AHL affiliate with the official announcement that the Monarchs are coming west.
Modo Hockey
| Date | Home | Visitor | Series | G | A | TP | +/- | PIM | PPG | SHG | GWG | SOG | TOI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-01-31 | MODO | LHC | SHL | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13:55 |
| 2015-01-30 | ÖHK | MODO | SHL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 16:09 |
| 2015-01-28 | FHC | MODO | SHL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15:09 |
| 2015-01-24 | HV71 | MODO | SHL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10:34 |
| 2015-01-22 | MODO | DIF | SHL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13:26 |
| 2015-01-17 | LIF | MODO | SHL | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 14:36 |
| 2015-01-15 | MODO | FBK | SHL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 17:58 |
| 2015-01-10 | LHF | MODO | SHL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14:55 |
| 2015-01-08 | VLH | MODO | SHL | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15:41 |
Since returning from the World Junior Hockey Championship, Adrian Kempe has seen dramatic slashes in his ice time, including a season low 10:34 in a 1-0 OT loss to HV71 on January 24th. In his last 9 games, Kempe has registered 14 SOG and averaged 14:42 of ice time.
Modo is still in last place and has a league worst -32 goal differential. Ouch. But they have a fairly young team and a new coach, so I don’t know, they kinda seem like the Florida Panthers of the SHL.
Coming up: Modo has 10 games left in their regular season. Even though Modo won’t be in the playoffs, don’t expect the Kings to recall Kempe. His contract doesn’t expire until 2016 and management seems happy with him staying in Sweden for now. From Mayor’s Manor:
His arrival is still a ways off, as he will most likely play in Sweden next season and then spend at least one additional year in the AHL. The Kings have no plans to fast track him (or any other prospect) to the NHL. Further, unlike what the Maple Leafs recently did with William Nylander, they weren’t worried about leaving him in Sweden this season. He’s playing in a high-level league with older players, where you have to be a little more accountable. They believe this will help him become a more complete player before he finally arrives in North America.
Manchester Monarchs
The Monarchs struggled a bit during Berube’s absences in early January and while he briefly joined Kings before the NHL All Star break due to Martin Jones’s back spasms. The Monarchs are probably happy to have their starter back who leads the league in wins, ranks 14th in sv% and third in GAA.
In Shore’s absence, Brian O’Neill has reclaimed the top spot of leading scorer on the team.
The ultra red hot Colin Miller leads all defensemen in points on the team and is second in the league among defensemen in goals and points scored, in three fewer games than the current leader. Before you get ahead of yourself (ahem, Bob), he’s still got some things to work on. However, with Alec Martinez injured, if Jeff Schultz is unable to fill in, there is a possibility that Miller could get the call up — but don’t hold your breath.
In Richards’s debut, he played nearly 20 minutes, registered 2 SOG, scored 0 points and took one minor penalty. In his very next game, he scored 1:06 into it and had two assists. In four games, he has four points and two PIM. On Saturday night, he nearly scored a shorthanded goal but was robbed by the goaltender’s flailing leg who somehow managed to keep it out.
Fancy Stats
Data compiled by Josh Weissbock. Last updated 2014-02-02.
| Team | Est. Fenwick Close | SF | SA | SF% | GP | GF | GA | SOW | SOL | Sh% | Sv% | PDO |
| Utica Comets | 54.90% | 1357 | 1237 | 52.31% | 43 | 113 | 101 | 0 | 1 | 8.33% | 91.91% | 100.24% |
| Worcester Sharks | 54.06% | 1395 | 1195 | 53.86% | 44 | 127 | 120 | 1 | 2 | 9.04% | 90.11% | 99.15% |
| San Antonio Rampage | 53.63% | 1412 | 1225 | 53.55% | 43 | 144 | 133 | 4 | 0 | 9.94% | 89.14% | 99.09% |
| Manchester Monarchs | 53.56% | 1331 | 1139 | 53.89% | 43 | 135 | 98 | 1 | 2 | 10.08% | 91.56% | 101.63% |
| Rockford IceHogs | 52.88% | 1533 | 1395 | 52.36% | 46 | 122 | 102 | 2 | 2 | 7.84% | 92.82% | 100.66% |
| Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 52.38% | 1250 | 1166 | 51.74% | 46 | 114 | 103 | 0 | 3 | 9.12% | 91.40% | 100.52% |
| Grand Rapids Griffins | 51.69% | 1365 | 1235 | 52.50% | 44 | 135 | 112 | 2 | 1 | 9.76% | 91.00% | 100.76% |
| Milwaukee Admirals | 51.58% | 1188 | 1162 | 50.55% | 43 | 122 | 100 | 2 | 3 | 10.12% | 91.63% | 101.75% |
| Oklahoma City Barons | 51.56% | 1469 | 1436 | 50.57% | 45 | 145 | 122 | 0 | 3 | 9.87% | 91.70% | 101.57% |
| Hershey Bears | 51.44% | 1276 | 1189 | 51.76% | 44 | 120 | 95 | 2 | 2 | 9.26% | 92.17% | 101.43% |
| Texas Stars | 51.43% | 1425 | 1369 | 51.00% | 44 | 127 | 133 | 0 | 0 | 8.91% | 90.28% | 99.20% |
| Hartford Wolf Pack | 51.32% | 1293 | 1294 | 49.98% | 44 | 125 | 124 | 1 | 2 | 9.60% | 90.56% | 100.15% |
| Chicago Wolves | 50.94% | 1327 | 1233 | 51.84% | 45 | 129 | 116 | 0 | 1 | 9.72% | 90.67% | 100.39% |
| Adirondack Flames | 50.82% | 1415 | 1346 | 51.25% | 44 | 124 | 118 | 1 | 1 | 8.70% | 91.30% | 100.00% |
| Albany Devils | 50.63% | 1327 | 1325 | 50.04% | 46 | 124 | 127 | 1 | 5 | 9.28% | 90.76% | 100.03% |
| Springfield Falcons | 50.44% | 1313 | 1270 | 50.83% | 45 | 128 | 123 | 3 | 0 | 9.54% | 90.31% | 99.86% |
| Syracuse Crunch | 49.82% | 1269 | 1299 | 49.42% | 44 | 132 | 119 | 3 | 0 | 10.19% | 90.84% | 101.03% |
| Portland Pirates | 49.80% | 1324 | 1400 | 48.60% | 46 | 118 | 107 | 2 | 0 | 8.77% | 92.36% | 101.13% |
| Norfolk Admirals | 49.12% | 1359 | 1387 | 49.49% | 46 | 101 | 136 | 0 | 2 | 7.43% | 90.32% | 97.76% |
| Hamilton Bulldogs | 49.04% | 1318 | 1388 | 48.71% | 45 | 119 | 116 | 0 | 0 | 9.03% | 91.64% | 100.67% |
| Rochester Americans | 48.71% | 1361 | 1353 | 50.15% | 45 | 129 | 143 | 2 | 0 | 9.35% | 89.43% | 98.78% |
| Providence Bruins | 48.44% | 1426 | 1424 | 50.04% | 46 | 119 | 118 | 1 | 1 | 8.28% | 91.78% | 100.06% |
| Lake Erie Monsters | 48.20% | 1210 | 1308 | 48.05% | 42 | 120 | 139 | 0 | 3 | 9.92% | 89.58% | 99.50% |
| Binghamton Senators | 47.85% | 1422 | 1483 | 48.95% | 43 | 133 | 144 | 0 | 1 | 9.35% | 90.35% | 99.70% |
| Bridgeport Sound Tigers | 47.35% | 1332 | 1419 | 48.42% | 45 | 142 | 147 | 3 | 1 | 10.46% | 89.70% | 100.16% |
| Lehigh Valley Phantoms | 47.33% | 1326 | 1470 | 47.42% | 44 | 119 | 131 | 4 | 1 | 8.70% | 91.15% | 99.85% |
| St. John’s IceCaps | 47.12% | 1343 | 1547 | 46.47% | 47 | 110 | 144 | 2 | 2 | 8.05% | 90.81% | 98.86% |
| Charlotte Checkers | 45.96% | 1287 | 1459 | 46.87% | 45 | 97 | 134 | 2 | 1 | 7.39% | 90.88% | 98.27% |
| Toronto Marlies | 45.12% | 1126 | 1360 | 45.29% | 43 | 96 | 116 | 1 | 0 | 8.44% | 91.47% | 99.92% |
| Iowa Wild | 44.33% | 1271 | 1537 | 45.26% | 46 | 106 | 154 | 1 | 1 | 8.27% | 90.04% | 98.31% |
After being at a close second second for most of the season, the Monarchs have slid a bit into a still-respectable fourth spot. Without Shore, they may not be shooting as much and could be giving up a lot of shots, though the return of Schultz and the maturation of both Miller and Forbot should help the team.
News and Highlights
Mayor’s Manor
San Diego Gulls Jersey Concept A look at what will most likely be the new jersey for the Anaheim Ducks‘ AHL team.
ICYMI: LA Kings 2014-15 Midseason Prospect Rankings: The Top 5 Pretty self-explanatory.
ICYMI: Bissonnette Finds Comfort With AHL Contract The Monarchs (Kings?) signed Bissonette to an AHL contract for the remainder of the year at the beginning of February.
Coming Up
February 2015
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Player Appearance
05:30 PM – 07:00 PM
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Player Appearance
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Papa John’s Player Deliveries
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The Monarchs are back to playing 3-in-3 for the next few weeks, taking on three division rivals. St. John’s Ice Caps (Winnipeg Jets) have always proven to be tough opponents for them so it’s probably a good thing they have a fairly healthy team with Berube back in net (and possibly Schultz in the lineup, though that remains to be seen).
They’re one point behind the Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning) with a game in hand for first overall in the league and are currently tied for second overall with the Oklahoma City Barons (Edmonton Oilers) but remain comfortably atop their division.