Willie Mitchell makes deciding goal lifting Los Angeles Kings over St. Louis Blues 3-2 -NHL Update
Mike Richards had another strong performance with his new team, while Willie Mitchell scored his first of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season to lift the Los Angeles Kings, 3-2, over the St. Louis Blues, on Tuesday night, November 22,
2011, at the Scottrade Center in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States.
St. Louis had a one point lead up until midway through the second period and countered back in the third period as well, but Los Angeles got a few lucky chances, which they capitalised on and took the match.
"I think trying to get adjusted to the new team, and sometimes I think you try to make too many plays when things like that happen," Richards added. "But I'm just trying to get the puck in the net as much as possible, and I'm starting to feel a little more
comfortable with linemates, and just getting pucks to the net as much as possible is the biggest thing."
Richards, a 26-year-old centre, was traded from the Philadelphia Flyers to Los Angeles over the offseason earlier this year part of a blockbuster transaction between the two teams and so far this season, he has adjusted quite well to his new club with 18
points (9 goals, 9 assists) in 21 games.
Alexander Steen scored the opening goal 1:07 into the first to give St. Louis the lead but it was Anze Kopitar who was set up by Richards in the second period to level the match during their second power play opportunity of the night.
Richards scored a goal of his own during the opening five minutes of the final period, followed by Vladimir Sobotka to level the contest once again with less than eight minutes remaining, but Micthell’s decider nearly two minutes later gave LA the boost
they need to win.
"It's a frustrating loss for the players to battle back like we did and give it up so quickly. It's a tough loss,” said Blues head coach, Ken Hitchcock.
Los Angeles has the next game in Dallas against the Stars on Wednesday while St. Louis will be playing against the Pittsburgh Penguins the same day.
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