Kings Outdo Themselves in 7-2 Loss to Flames

There is something about this Alberta city that seems to bring out the worst in the Kings.

But Thursday night, the Kings outdid themselves with one of their shoddiest performances in a 7-2 loss to the Calgary Flames before a sellout crowd of 16,762 fans at the Olympic Saddledome.

In their last 10 games against Calgary dating back to last season, the Kings are 0-9-1, have lost nine in a row and have been outscored, 51-17.

“We should be ashamed of ourselves tonight,” King defenseman Mark Hardy said. “We should have stopped the streak tonight.”

Said King Coach Pat Quinn: “I feel pretty awful about this hockey team after some of the things we have done in this building. I seem to say the same things every time we come here.”

Asked why the Kings have so much trouble against Calgary, Quinn said: “I’m not sure why. Maybe you can get some answers in there (the Kings’ locker room). But we have to get to the bottom of this because we may face this team in the first round of the playoff.”

The Kings got a good performance from goalie Darren Eliot, but his teammates gave him no support.

“Darren kept us in the game,” Quinn said. “It’s a shame that he had seven goals scored against him. He was the only competitor we had tonight.”

The Kings spent the three-day All-Star break relaxing in Reno, but maybe they should have practiced instead.

The score was tied, 1-1, in the first period, but the Flames outscored the Kings, 6-1, during the rest of the game.

Quinn must be happy that his team doesn’t have to play here again unless the two teams meet in the playoffs--a likely possibility.

The Flames won all four games from the Kings here. They also beat the Kings, 9-2, earlier this season at the Forum. The three remaining games of the regular season series will be played at Inglewood, including one Sunday night.

The Kings remained in third place in the Smythe Division despite their second straight loss. They are 14 points behind second-place Calgary and one point ahead of Vancouver and Winnipeg. Vancouver plays host to Winnipeg tonight.

A dreadful power play was one reason why the Kings lost this game. They had scored at least one power-play goal in their last nine games but were scoreless on several power plays against the Flames.

Right wing Joey Mullen, the newest member of the Flames, had one goal and two assists in his debut with the team.

Mullen became a member of the Flames in a six-player trade last Saturday with the St. Louis Blues. The Flames also acquired defensemen Terry Johnson and Rik Wilson for defenseman Charlie Bourgeois and left wings Eddy Beers and Gino Cavallini.

Mullen played on a line with center Joel Otto and left wing Jim Peplinski, and they had a big night.

Otto scored the Flames’ first goal on a power play when he put in a rebound of a shot by Mullen. Peplinski also had a third-period goal off a pass from Mullen.

“Even in the two days of practice together we played well,” Mullen said. “It’s nice to get the first one (goal) out of the way right away.”

Said Otto: “Joey adds a whole new dimension to our team. He has that knack (for scoring goals), but he plays like we do. He doesn’t dipsy-doodle, he just goes for the net.”

Said Calgary Coach Bob Johnson: “People are going to leave the Saddledome tonight talking about Joey Mullen and the seven goals, but I’ll tell you, we played a good defensive hockey game.”

Calgary, leading, 3-1, held the Kings to only three shots in the second period despite the fact that the Kings had two power plays.

After Otto’s goal at 5:33 of the first period, the Kings tied it when left wing Morris Lukowich scored an unassisted goal with 9:53 left in the first period. Lukowich stole the puck from defenseman Jamie Macoun just inside the blue line.

Quinn scored a shorthanded goal with 6:51 left in the second period to break the tie, deflecting a shot into the net off Elliot’s arm.

Quinn also set up a goal by Macoun with 6:09 left in the second period. Quinn fed Macoun at the right side of the net, and Macoun tapped the puck into the net for his seventh goal of the season.

Mullen scored at 1:08 of the third period, but left wing Dave (Tiger) Williams scored off a pass from center Marcel Dionne at 6:55 to cut Calgary’s lead to 4-2.

But the Flames scored just 10 seconds later when defenseman Lanny McDonald connected off a pass from Quinn, who had two assists.

Perry Berezan got the final goal of the game at 13:15.

King Notes The Kings return home to open a four-game home stand Saturday night against the New York Islanders. . . . Kings right wing Jim Fox missed his third straight game with a hip pointer.