Kato's Cup connections

The Associated Press

Former Maverick Ryan Carter scored another playoff goal for the Devils on Saturday, giving him five for the postseason. His goal in the third period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals tied the game at 1-all, but the Kings won in overtime again to go up 2-0 with the series returning to Los Angeles on Monday night.

I talked to Carter for a Free Press story on Friday, and he said he was planning to be in Mankato over the weekend to participate in the "Can-Am Cup," an annual golf outing of MSU hockey alumni that pits Americans against Canadians, Ryder Cup-style. Carter was to be the U.S. captain this year. Let's just say his teammates gave him a pass, considering the more-prestigious Cup he's playing for.

Meanwhile, L.A. also has a Mankato connection as former play-by-play radio man Mike Kalinowski is a communications manager for the Kings. He has worked his way up to the NHL the hard way, covering college hockey and moving through the minor leagues. He's been in Utica, N.Y.; Rockford, Ill.; and Manchester, N.H.; before getting hired by the Kings six years ago.

Kalinowski said that the run the Kings are on is the most exciting thing he's been a p part of in hockey since the Mavericks upset North Dakota 3-2 in overtime in Game 1 of their 1999 WCHA playoffs series. MSU was not yet a full member of the WCHA and was made the tournament's 10th seed. Kalinowski correctly recalled that Andy Fermoyle scored the game-winner. North Dakota ended up winning the next two games to take the series.