Kansas City fans turn out

Blues-Kings exhibition a hit in city wanting its own team

An organist played Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" as the fans streamed in an hour before the opening faceoff, many in St. Louis Blues jerseys, some in throwback Kansas City Scouts shirts.

A handful were still in business suits, there to see a hockey game for the first time.

They came to see an exhibition game between the Blues and the Los Angeles Kings, one of eight Monday night in the NHL. Many of the marquee players were missing; half the Kings were in Phoenix for another game, St. Louis skated without defenseman Erik Johnson and goalie Manny Legace.

Anyplace else -- in the U.S. at least -- a game like this probably isn't a big deal.

In Kansas City, Mo., it was.

First hockey game at the year-old, $276 million Sprint Center, what city officials hope is the first step toward landing an NHL team -- there was a lot riding on this night.

"One of the reasons we built this building was to look at opportunities for the community and certainly the NHL is at the top of the list," said Kevin Gray, president of the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation. "This is a big test for us to see how people embrace it."

It was a good first step.

Davis Drewiske had a short-handed goal in the first period and Wayne Simmonds scored on a power play in the third, helping the Kings beat the Blues 2-1. A crowd of 11,603 showed up -- good numbers for a exhibition.

The Sprint Center was built with hopes of luring an NBA or NHL franchise. It's spectacular on the outside, more than 2,000 shimmering glass panes making it look like an upturned crystal bowl, and it has all the amenities inside that professional team could want.

All that's missing is a team.

ALSO MONDAY

EXHIBITIONS

RANGERS 2, SENATORS 1: Petr Nedved's long shot chances at a comeback with New York got a bit of a boost. The 36-year-old forward, who hasn't played an NHL game since the 2006-07 season, scored a first-period goal in the win over Ottawa at Madison Square Garden.

Facing an uphill battle to earn a roster spot, Nedved staked New York to a 1-0 lead 5:17 into the first period when he snapped a shot from the left circle past Ottawa goalie Alex Auld.

FLYERS 4, DEVILS 1: Steve Downie scored two goals and host Philadelphia beat New Jersey in the exhibition opener for both.

Mike Richards and Scottie Upshall also scored for the Flyers, who bounced back from the worst season in franchise history to reach the Eastern Conference finals, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games.

PENGUINS 3, LIGHTNING 2: Tyler Kennedy scored a tiebreaking power-play goal early in the third period to lead Pittsburgh over host Tampa Bay.

Most of Pittsburgh's top players, including team captain Sidney Crosby, didn't make the trip. Defenseman Sergei Gonchar is out with a shoulder injury.

Tampa Bay captain Vincent Lecavalier, coming back from shoulder surgery, sat out. He might be ready for the start of the regular season.

BRUINS 8, CANADIENS 3: Boston forward Patrice Bergeron had a goal and three assists in his first game since suffering a severe concussion almost 11 months ago as Boston beat Montreal at Halifax, Nova Scotia.