The LA Kings evened their record at the 2026 Rookie Faceoff on Sunday afternoon, as they skated to a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
Los Angeles opened the scoring just shy of 10 minutes into the game as Koehn Ziemmer buried his first goal of the tournament. Defenseman Michael Mastrodominico rounded his own net and hit Ziemmer with a stretch pass down the left wing. Ziemmer got in behind the defense and used a quick release to finish underneath the crossbar and in for the early 1-0 advantage.
Early in the second period, Ziemmer doubled the Los Angeles advantage with his second goal of the game. Forward Grant Slukynsky won an offensive-zone faceoff and worked the puck to Ziemmer, who collected it in the slot and again used a quick release to beat Anaheim goaltender Tomas Suchanek, as the Kings opened up a 2-0 advantage.
Anaheim got on the board 6:09 into the third period as Lucas Pettersson scored the first goal of the game for the Ducks. After a phenomenal right-pad save by Slukynsky denied perhaps the best Ducks chance of the game, the visitors kept the play alive and forward Lucas Pettersson buried a one-timer from the right circle that beat Slukynsky back to the near post, bringing Anaheim within 2-1.
The Kings restored their two-goal advantage with just over six minutes to play in the third period, as forward Liam Lefebvre scored his first goal of the tournament. Forward Jack Hughes won the puck back on the forecheck and eventually collected possession at the center point. Hughes walked in and although his shot was saved, Lefebvre buried the rebound for the goal and a 3-1 lead.
With 3:31 on the clock, Lefebvre added his second of the game, this time via the deflection, to give the Kings a 4-1 lead. Mastrodomenico had the shot from the center point and Lefebvre, stationed in the low slot, got a tip on the way through, sending the puck past Suchanek and in to open up a three-goal advantage.
Hear from Koehn Ziemmer, Liam Lefebvre and Andrew Lord following today's victory.
The Kings rookies will conclude their tournament on Tuesday afternoon against the Utah Mammoth. Puck drop is set for 1 PM.
