Ferraro Clears Air With Robinson

After the Kings’ 4-4 tie at Boston on Monday, Coach Larry Robinson criticized the play of some veteran players and told reporters that a few were doing too much coaching instead of playing.

This did not sit well with center Ray Ferraro, who met briefly with Robinson during Wednesday’s practice.

“I spoke to [Robinson] and he explained how his quotes were taken out of context,” said Ferraro, who scored his sixth goal Monday. “I certainly don’t think that I’m trying to coach the team.”

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Roman Vopat, whose older brother Jan is on the Kings’ injured list, was called up from Phoenix of the International Hockey League on Wednesday. Vopat, who was acquired from St. Louis in the Wayne Gretzky trade last season, is a 6-foot-3, 216 pound center who played 11 games for the Roadrunners this season.

“He’s a good player with a good shot who uses his size to his advantage,” said left wing Craig Johnson, who was traded with Vopat from St. Louis. “He can score goals and he can hit guys.”

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Center Ian Laperriere practiced with the team for the first time since re-injuring his right shoulder at Toronto on Oct. 29. He is listed as probable for tonight’s game . . . Eddie Olczyk missed Wednesday’s practice to handle family matters and Kevin Stevens did not attend because of flu.