Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar and his dog, Gustl, created a new meaning to the expression "breakfast of champions."
Kopitar's choice of cuisine was cereal eaten out of the Stanley Cup, with Gustl enjoying a treat of his own in a miniaturized version of hockey's greatest prize. The breakfast began a memorable day for the Kings' leading scorer in the regular season (29 goals, 70 points) and the NHL leader in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (five goals, 26 points).
Two years after Kopitar became the first Slovenian player to win the Cup, he returned to his homeland again a champion. Among the highlights of the afternoon were a helicopter tour of Slovenia with his wife, Ines, and a boat ride on Lake Bled. He later arrived to Podmezakla Hall in Jesenice for photo opportunities with friends, family and fans, and an in-line hockey tournament.
"The difference is that now I know what to expect. In this sense, it was a bit easier as far as ice, but was significantly more difficult," Kopitar told the crowd in attendance, according to Slovenian website 24ur.com
In between a couple of musical performances, Kopitar and company watched the World Cup Final between Argentina and Germany on a big screen.
Breakfast of Champions Kopitar & gustl eat out of their #stanleycup @HockeyHallFame @NHL @lakingspr @AnzeKopitar pic.twitter.com/5mVxIlvCEU
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 13, 2014
Slovenian Olympic team with the #stanleycup #kopicupday @HockeyHallFame @NHL @LAKingsPR pic.twitter.com/K9BReLxlVa
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 13, 2014
Hoping in the Helicopter to tour Slovenia. #stanleycup #kopicupday @NHL @HockeyHallFame @LAKingsPR pic.twitter.com/F3HfTeuSJ7
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 13, 2014