A reading from the Gospel of the Edmontonians:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith in McJesus produces perseverance.
The much-maligned Dustin Brown, who was publicly embarrassed by the Los Angeles Kings as he was stripped of the captaincy after last season, has chosen to contribute quietly to the team. After the Kings fell behind 2-0, Brown assisted on the first Kings goal and then scored the tying goal to even the game at two. Inability of the Edmonton Oilers to clear their blue line led to the puck skidding past the defense to Brown, who was all alone in the slot. Last night was, perhaps, a redemption (pun intended) of sorts for Brown, who was named the game’s second star, and proved that he still has a valuable role to play in this Kings team.
I can do all things in hockey though McJesus who gives me strength.
Jonny Brodzinski scored his first two NHL assists last night. It was the fourth game ever for the 2013 fifth round pick, and a sign of more great things to come. He was the game’s third star. But the game’s first star, after a lengthy silence, broke out with four points last night. Nick Shore, a player known mostly for faceoffs who has been criticized for lack of physicality in his play, scored one goal and three assists. Shore not only tipped in Brodzinski’s shot for the Kings’ first goal, but assisted on goals by Trevor Lewis and Drew Doughty to put the Kings ahead and seal an entertaining win.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for their belief in McJesus, for theirs is the Stanley Cup.
Okay, so the Kings aren’t winning the Cup this year. But they raised their game against a legitimate Cup contender in the Oilers. The Oilers, prior to last night, were 9-1-0, with 40 goals for and 19 goals against. Edmonton even reached first place in the Pacific Division during that time span. In contrast, the Kings prior to last night were 4-5-1, with 19 goals for and 20 goals against. The Kings offense—heck, the entire Kings season—has left fans in disbelief. The Kings have lost a whopping 24 games when outshooting their opponents.
At least last night, the Kings were able to play beyond themselves and raise their game to a higher level, giving fans a glimpse of what could have been. The offensively challenged Kings, who scored an average of less than two goals in their last ten games, exploded for six against a fast, talented Edmonton team. The Kings won the five-game season series with the Oilers, with each team winning at home.
For God so loved the world that he sent McJesus to us, that whoever believes in McJesus shall not perish but have eternal success in hockey. For God did not send McJesus into the world to condemn the world, but to spread the game of hockey throughout the world through McJesus.
Did the Gospel of the Edmontonians already spread to the City of Angels, inspiring the play of the Kings last night?
The Gospel of the Edmontonians. Praise be to the Lord, Connor McJesus.