Phair’s Overtime Goal Gives Kings 4-3 Win

Rookie left wing Lyle Phair scored with 52 seconds left in a five-minute, sudden-death overtime period to lead the Kings to a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in a National Hockey League exhibition game Tuesday night before 3,363 fans at the Forum.

It was Phair’s second goal of the game and the Kings’ second straight win over the Canucks, who have lost five straight. Both teams have 2-5 records. The Kings play the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night at the Forum and close out the exhibition season here Saturday night against the Calgary Flames.

The score was tied at 3-3 the end of regulation play after the Kings had led, 2-1, at the end of the first period.

The Kings scored on the first shot of the game when Phair deflected in a shot by defenseman Brian Engblom from the point at 1:11.

But the Canucks tied it at 1-1 at 9:18 of the first period when left wing Jere Gillis scored on a rebound shot by Steve Tambellini.

King defenseman Rick Lapointe broke the tie with 6:31 left in the first period when he scored on a tough-angle shot for his first goal of the exhibition season.

But the Canucks outscored the Kings, 2-1, in the second period to tie the score going into the third period.

Rookie left wing Dan Brennan scored a power-play goal at 1:43 of the second period to give the Kings a 3-1 lead.

But the Canucks scored two straight goals. Jiri Bubla got a goal at 3:26, and Tony Tanti scored on a power-play with 5:25 left in the period. It was the first power-play goal for the Canucks in five exhibition games against the Kings.

There was a fight with 6:12 left in the third period between rookie defenseman Ken Hammond of the Kings and defenseman Garth Butcher of the Canucks.