It’s hard to swallow, I didn’t say anything to the boys

After Anzhet Kopitar And his Los Angeles Kings beyond the Atlantic in the North American NHL is the end of the season. Kings are in the first round of the playoffs Last night with 4: 6 lost to Edmonton Oilerswho, with a total score of 4: 2, advanced to the conference semifinals in victories. Kopitar said after the game that such a defeat, after a good season, hurts a little more.

“This defeat is difficult to swallow. After such a season that this group of boys in the locker room, it is very frustrating. Such a defeat hurts a little more, « the Slovenian hockey ace told La Kings Insider after the last game of the season.

In the last game of the season, the 37-year-old Hrušičan scored the fourth goal for the kings 55 seconds before the time of the season, pouring some hope of Los Angeles fans. But two seconds before the end, the match with a goal on an empty goal decided Connor Brown.

The kings, who concluded the regular part of the season in second place in the Pacific Division, started the opening series of the playoffs against Canadian rivals with two victories, and all the other four duels were then won by oil. Edmonton eliminated Los Angeles in the first round of the playoffs for the fourth season in a row.

“Of course, it is good when you come to the playoffs with the advantage of home terrain and have a good start after the introductory two victories. Then we couldn’t bring the matches to the end, and that ended up standing, « continued the captain of the Kraljev.

Last night, he scored the second goal in this year’s playoffs and contributed ninth points (seven other passes). In total, he has 89 points in the playoffs (27 goals, 62 passes). In the regular part of this season, he scored 67 points (21 goals and 46 passes) in 81 games.

The team from the city of Angels was marked mainly by the mentality of fighting to the end: “This was present throughout the season. This is the character of this group, never surrender. There were not many matches of the season where they would. Even if we didn’t have the right evening, we returned with a fight and team game. It was no different today, we sought and fought, but it didn’t work out. « 

“We could highlight the third game, the fourth should definitely be won. Then the series would also be completely different if they returned home with a 3: 1 lead and not 2: 2. But what if it were …, « Kopitar added about the fighting spirit of the team.

Kopitar finished the season. Photo: Perry Nelson/Reuters

Just like the head coach Jim Hiller He was also of the opinion that the kings prepared a good number of opportunities. “There were opportunities, but we just didn’t take advantage of them. All the credit to their goalkeeper who had some good defenses. Praise also to their teams, who have made us impossible for us in recent matches with firm defense. We fought, but were too short. « 

Kopitar in the NHL and Los Angeles has been playing since the 2005 league. He spent his entire career with the Kings and twice won the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014.

Despite his years of experience and captain’s experience, he has not yet killed his teammates with encouraging words. “I have never told them anything. I believe that in the next few days we will get together and talk about matters, « Kopitar concluded.