The LA Kings rookies closed out the 2026 NHL Rookie Faceoff tournament with a 4-0 victory against the Utah Mammoth on September 15, 2026, at the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo, California. With the win, the Kings finished the tournament with a 2-1-0 record.
Kenny Connors opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal in the opening period. While the Kings were short a man, Connors maneuvered behind the Mammoth defense and deked onto his forehand to score at the near post past goaltender Ivan Tkach-Tkachenko. Connors also assisted on Koehn Ziemmer’s goal later in the period.
Ziemmer scored his third goal of the tournament off a well-placed shot blocker side from the high slot, extending the lead to 2-0. In the second period, Jack Hughes added an even-strength goal, executing a wrist shot from the right-hand circle to make it 3-0.
Jimmy Lombardi capped the scoring in the third period with a power-play goal, assisted by Ziemmer on a pass to the back post. The Kings’ defense maintained a shutout throughout the game, denying any scoring opportunities for Utah.
The Kings rookies will next participate in the NHL Training Camp starting on September 17, 2026, at the Toyota Sports Performance Center.
CSB Take
The LA Kings rookies delivered a commanding performance to win the 2026 Rookie Faceoff, showcasing both offensive depth and defensive discipline. Kenny Connors’ shorthanded goal set the tone early, while Koehn Ziemmer led the offense with timely scoring and an assist. This tournament victory provides momentum and confidence as the rookies prepare for NHL Training Camp, where many will compete to earn roles on the Kings’ NHL roster.
Source: Original report
