Trainer Called for Icing

You don’t want Philip Anschutz’s communications company, his Staples Center, his Kings. You want the Kings’ ice concession.

Not the skating surface. The stuff they’re putting in bags in the training room.

It has become a growth industry as this seven-games-in-11-days trip has taken its toll. Ziggy Palffy was scratched for Saturday’s game against the Sharks because of back spasms after a flight from Vancouver on Friday night.

Garry Galley was scratched because of a neck strain.

Rob Blake played, but perhaps he shouldn’t have.

“It was tough getting out of bed,” he said Friday after flu symptoms curtailed his morning practice. “But once you start playing, you can play.”

He lined up Saturday night, aches, pains and all. The Kings are in a playoff race, you know.

Jozef Stumpel looks like a snowman after games, with ice bags on his knees, shoulder, groin. Donald Audette limps around with a bag on his ankle. Glen Murray, Dan Bylsma, Stephane Fiset. . . .

“I think that nobody goes on the ice without something hurting,” Coach Andy Murray said. “It’s one of the reasons that I won’t ever question a player’s courage or his pride.”

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Palffy’s place at right wing on the line with Stumpel and Luc Robitaille was taken by Marko Tuomainen, who had been scratched the previous three games.