The Los Angeles Kings winning the 2012 Stanley Cup, the first championship in the 45-year history of the franchise, still has fans celebrating more than two weeks later. One fan, young Kai Jacinto, of Culver City, California, was so inspired, he wrote the following poem…

by Kai Jacinto

The Kings were the unlikely winners of the 2012 Stanley Cup

Seeded eighth going into the playoffs and kept moving on up.

They were underdogs in the first round against Vancouver

But they shut them down in five games with amazing maneuvers.

Sweeping the Blues brought the Kings much attention

Never in 45 years have they had so much possible championship mentions.

Then came the Coyotes, checking hard and howling at every face-off

But the silver and black skated with no fear and never backed off.

LA’s royalty on ice had time to rest until the championship game

But Coach Sutter made sure the players did not celebrate and enjoy the fame.

He made them practice harder, and stronger, and be mentally prepared

Winning the Stanley Cup was in their sights and it was all they cared.

Next came the Devils who quickly lost Games 1, 2 and 3

But the Kings gave up the next two games, it was nervous time for me.

There was no doubt though the silver and black would prevail

They came home to LA and got the championship without fail.

With players like Kopitar, Carter, and captain Dustin Brown

The Kings were definitely deserving of the coveted crown.

Let’s not forget the guy who kept cool even when things got thick

The winner of the Conn Smythe MVP Trophy, goalie, Jonathan Quick.

My Mom said the Kings used to practice at the Culver rink in our ’hood

Who would’ve thought the once local hockey team would make good?

The Kings not only made good, they won the championship with flair

Mom says they now can shave their beards and not look like bears.

With past Hall of Famers like Dionne, Gretzky, and Robitaille in the Kings’ roster history

Just thinking how this is the team’s very first Stanley Cup remains a mystery.

Los Angeles has their hockey champions and sports fans have another chant to sing

Not just Let’s Go Lakers or Let’s Go Dodgers, but also…

Let’s Go Kings!

Kings fan and poet Kai Jacinto, 12, is a student at Culver City Middle School, Culver City, California.

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