Revisiting the Ducks' 2014 Stadium Series Victory Over the Kings
It's been ten years since the NHL hosted its first and only outdoor regular season game in Southern California. Let's revisit the thrilling January 25, 2014 night at Dodger Stadium.
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On this day, ten years ago, NHL hockey was brought for the first time to the sunny and warm outdoors of Southern California, where the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings faced off at the hallowed Dodger Stadium in the inaugural game of the 2014 Stadium Series. The 3-0 victory for the Ducks was action-packed, full of on- and off-ice entertainment, and included appearances by legends in hockey (Wayne Gretzky), baseball (Vin Scully), and entertainment (the band, KISS). Though there was an exhibition match contested outdoors as Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1991, this was the first outdoor regular season game in the region, and the NHL did it right.
On this big anniversary for both franchises, let’s take a walk down memory lane, shall we?
The NHL’s ‘Stadium Series’ Debuts at Dodger Stadium
Until this point in time, the only regular season NHL games held outdoors were the Winter or Heritage Classics. So, bringing a series of outdoor games in addition to those was a significant move, some might say gamble, by the NHL. To further emphasize that point, a game at Dodger Stadium, where it rarely gets colder than 55 degrees?? Bonkers.
The 2013-14 season was the first that conducted all versions of outdoor games. The first such game was the 2014 Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. Sandwiched between that and the 2014 Heritage Classic between the Vancouver Canucks and Ottawa Senators were the four Stadium Series games – Dodger Stadium, Yankee Stadium (New York Rangers versus New Jersey Devils and Rangers versus New York Islanders), and Soldier Field (Chicago Blackhawks versus Pittsburgh Penguins). Six outdoor games, five major cities, many iconic franchises. The NHL was all-in.
The 2013-14 Versions of the Ducks and Kings Rosters Were Loaded with Talent
Despite a number of concerns such as weather and the non-traditional market of Los Angeles, outdoor hockey in Southern California had all the right ambassadors. You had Wayne Gretzky, whose Kings career put hockey, in the region, on the map. You had legends and future Hall-of-Famers on both sides like Luc Robitaille, Rob Blake, Teemu Selanne, and others who had storied careers for the Kings and Ducks alike.
On the ice, both rosters were loaded and in their Stanley Cup-contending years. The Kings, less than two seasons removed from their 2012 Stanley Cup victory, boasted elite talents like Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Jeff Carter, and Johnathan Quick. Not to be outdone, the Ducks were less than five seasons removed from their Stanley Cup championship and fielded a dynamic roster led by Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, supplemented by Selanne, Nick Bonino, Cam Fowler, Saku Koivu, Kyle Palmieri, Jonas Hiller, and Francois Beauchemin. The league had plenty of physicality and snarl back then, which made rivalry games like this all the more exciting.
Ducks Shut Out the Kings in Front of 54,000 People
The Ducks jumped on the Kings from the puck drop and put up two goals in the first nine minutes of action. All of their big guns offensively were involved: Perry and Matt Beleskey scored goals while Getzlaf, Bonino and Selanne picked up assists. They were outshot badly by the Kings during the first frame but were opportunistic with their chances and got the two past Quick that they needed.
The Ducks and Kings played a much more even second and third periods that involved several penalties, including a fight (because, why not when you’re outdoors). No team scored on their power play opportunities, and their shots across the final two frames 16 to 14 in favor of the Kings. Despite the advantages, the Kings couldn’t solve Hiller, and wound up scoreless in front of 54,000 people at Dodger Stadium. Ouch.
Players of the Game: Jonas Hiller and the Reunited ‘Kid Line’
The stars for the Ducks came to play on this night but it was Hiller who stole the show with a 36-save shutout performance. He made 20 saves in the opening period, including one on a penalty shot against Kopitar that kept the Ducks ahead 2-0, where it would remain for the rest of the game until a late empty-net goal. Like he had all season, Hiller backstopped the Ducks with elite athleticism and a technical, canny butterfly style. He was a monster that season: in 50 starts, he produced 29 wins, which set a career high. Hiller also represented his native Switzerland in the Winter Olympics just a few weeks later.
Prior to the start of the season, the Ducks took a flyer on Dustin Penner, hoping a reunification with his 2007 Stanley Cup-winning line mates would rejuvenate his career. It wasn’t exactly unsuccessful – the Ducks got out to a great start, and Penner produced 32 points in 49 games – but he was still moved to the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline. In the Stadium Series game, though, Penner played a big part in the team’s first goal. He was at the front of the net, using his big frame to cause havoc and create positioning while Getzlaf found room to put a shot on net. Perry ultimately scooped up the rebound, but Penner was involved and occupying the attention of the Kings defenders, like he did so often with Getzlaf and Penner during their magical run together during the 2006-07 campaign.
Play of the Game: Hiller Stops Kopitar on Penalty Shot
The game’s first pivotal moment came halfway through the first period with the Ducks up 2-0. Kopitar was awarded a penalty shot after Ben Lovejoy hooked and impeded his ability to get a clean look on the breakaway. Within the game’s first ten minutes, we had two goals, lots of energy, scoring chances on both ends, and a penalty shot opportunity. What more could you ask for?
Kopitar, like his counterpart in Getzlaf, was in his prime and one of the elite centermen in the NHL at the time. He was a big body but had elite vision, soft hands, could shoot and distribute. He’s made a lot of goalies look silly. But he would do no such thing to Hiller on the penalty shot attempt. His five-hole shot was stuffed aside by Hiller with ease. The Ducks retained their 2-0 lead, and never looked back. Though the Kings never stopped coming, Hiller was firmly in control of the game and looked as confident as ever as he led the Ducks to victory.
When Will We See Outdoor Hockey in Southern California Again?
The NHL has yet to return to Southern California for the purposes of an outdoor game. In 2015, the Kings and San Jose Sharks played a Stadium Series game in front of 70,000 fans at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. In February of 2021, the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Philadelphia Flyers, and Boston Bruins participated in the ‘NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe’ Series. That’s the closest the NHL has gotten, and has since experimented with outdoor games in other non-traditional hockey markets such as Dallas, Texas, Nashville, Tennessee, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Seattle, Washington. Which begs the question: will the NHL come back to Southern California, and if so, then when?
That answer is complicated and depends on a number of factors, not the least of which is finding two teams in the area worth putting on such a public stage. The Kings remain a competitive force in the Pacific Division, but the Ducks, frankly, are not. If the NHL were to host a game outdoors in the region again, it really only makes sense to pit these two teams against each other, and you can’t do that when one time is mired in a lengthy rebuild. You can maybe make an argument that the Golden Knights makes sense. However, until the Ducks resemble their 2013-14 selves, you’re unlikely to see an outdoor hockey game in Southern California anytime soon.
This game, though, was special. It delivered in so many ways. From a logistical and weather-related standpoint, there were no issues. These two franchises finally got their chance to shine on one of the biggest stages the NHL could put them on. Both the quality of hockey and entertainment value of the event was high. As a first foray into meaningful hockey games in a warm-weather climate, the NHL did a darn good job.
Well, there you have it. There’s my recollection of the 2014 Stadium Series game played at Dodger Stadium. What did you think? What do you remember and what were your favorite moments from that weekend? We’d love to hear from you!
Thank you for reading, we wish you all a safe, happy, and wonderful year ahead.