The Kings last night won the first Stanley Cup in franchise history by defeating the Devils 6-1. Following the game, the L.A. Police Department “took extraordinary measures to prevent post-victory violence, including closing streets and having swarms of police officers on hand.” Staples Center and L.A. Live did not broadcast the game "on any of the outside TV monitors,” per the request of the LAPD, which helped keep crowds in and around L.A. Live “smaller than last week’s playoff game” (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 6/11).
A parade honoring the Kings is scheduled for Thursday, followed by a “Championship Rally” at Staples Center. The downtown parade will begin at noon PT and is expected to last 30-45 minutes. The rally is slated to begin at 2:30pm. Tickets will be required, but will be free. Priority will be given to season-ticket holders and suite and premier seat owners (Kings).
The L.A. Times' Bill Plaschke writes the Stanley Cup victory was for Kings Owner Phil Anschutz, "who has long been criticized in this column for using our professional teams as pawns in his real estate operation." The victory is also for AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke, whose "fingerprints are seemingly on every team in town, his first love has been his Kings" (L.A. TIMES, 6/12). The AP's Andrew Dalton writes, "Move over, Lakers and Dodgers. Step aside, Trojans and Bruins. For now, hockey is King for LA fans." An L.A. Times editorial writes, "The Kings' bandwagon is now crowded with new converts, and why shouldn't it be?"
