Kings Give Reagan What He Wanted: Win for Gipper

Former President Ronald Reagan asked the Los Angeles Kings to “Win one for the Gipper,” and they did.

The Kings, nearing elimination from their Smythe Division semifinal series against the Edmonton Oilers, received the letter before Game 5 Tuesday night.

“I understand that you will be facing off against the Edmonton Oilers tonight, and if you win, you will be one step closer to bringing the Stanley Cup home to Los Angeles,” Reagan wrote.

“While I find it hard to choose between all of the deserving teams in the National Hockey League, the Kings, being from my hometown, are a little nearer and dearer to my heart.

“I realize that what you face seems to be a long and uphill battle, but remember, those victories easily gained are less sweet than those for which we’ve given our all. . . .

“Win one for the Gipper!”

Said the Great One, Wayne Gretzky: “It was nice; it was thoughtful.”

Gretzky scored an insurance goal with 1:17 left in the Kings’ 4-2 victory. (Story, Part III, Page 1.) They trail the Oilers 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, which resumes with Game 6 on Thursday in Edmonton.