Yutaka Fukufuji was almost late for his date with history.
It was Jan. 12, 2007, and the Los Angeles Kings called up the goalie from Kushiro, Japan, from Manchester of the American Hockey League to meet the team in St. Louis and dress for the game against the Blues.
“I have to get there the day before, but my flight was cancelled with bad weather,” Fukufuji said. “I get to St. Louis on game day and get to the rink a couple of hours before. Kind of a busy day.”
It got busier when Fukufuji started the third period of the game on Jan. 13, 2007, and became the first player born in Japan to play in the NHL. Then Kings coach Marc Crawford told his 24-year-old goalie on the bench, “We make history. You’re going in the third.”
“I didn’t have a practice, I had a warmup,” he said. “I was so nervous, but I was excited, too.”
The Kings trailed 5-4 after two periods when Crawford decided to replace starter Barry Brust, gave up five goals on 20 shots.
The Blues won 6-5. Fukufuji allowed a power play…
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