Thousands cheer L.A. Kings' 'glorious run' at downtown parade

A L.A. Kings fan shows off her Stanley Cup headwear at the team's parade celebrating their first Stanley Cup Championship in downtown L.A. on Thursday, June 14, 2012. (Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer)

Cheered on by thousands of fans, the Los Angeles Kings took a victory lap downtown Thursday, celebrating the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history with a ticker-tape parade and rally at Staples Center. | More Kings: Parade and rally | Hoffarth on the Cup | Parade photos | Rally photos | Parade video

Along the parade route, fans lined up eight deep behind barricades. Despite

Kings captain Dustin Brown hoists the Stanley Cup during the June 14, 2012 victory parade in downtown Los Angeles. (John McCoy/Staff Photographer)

the crowds, Los Angeles police reported no major problems or arrests.

"Oh, my God. This is sooooo awesome," said Trudy DeFino, 48, of Mission Hills, a season-ticket holder who was wearing an 8-inch Stanley Cup headpiece and her Kings jersey.

"It's the best day. We've got the cup in L.A. - and we'll keep it here."

DeFino and her husband had flown to New Jersey to watch Game 5, when the Devils staved off the Kings' championship with a 2-1 defeat. So she was thrilled to celebrate the ultimate victory.

Corey Brankin, 24, of Lancaster, had doffed his shirt to paint his chest in the silver, purple and black of the Kings, and his face was tinted purple. He ran up and down the route, cheering "We got the cup."

Erik Nuno, 20, of Van Nuys, headed to the noontime parade with his fellow hockey players from the newly renamed Los Angeles Kings Valley Ice Center in Panorama City.

"I could die happy now. I've waited 20 years of my life to see the Kings get the cup," said Nu o, a left wing on the Roadrunner team. His father, Favian, draped a Kings jersey over his son after he was born.

"To me, it's still unreal," Nu o said.

Most of the Kings players showed up looking like they were dressed for a hockey party at the beach: wearing jerseys signed by each other, along with flip-flops, sunglasses and shorts.

Right before they boarded the bus, players and coach Darryl Sutter stopped to reflect on what the moment meant to them.

"The greatest emotion I have is to see the happiness, of all 30 guys in the room," Sutter said. "It's been incredible."

Center Anze Kopitar said the reality of the win "hasn't sunk in yet."

"We had a very up-and-down season and we caught fire at the right time," Kopitar said. "You have to have some luck involved, and we got lucky at the right time."

Deep in the crowd was a hierarchy of fans, each competing to have been a team booster longer and more

Roman Muniz of Riverside holds his 6-month-old son Roman Jr. at the Kings victory parade on June 14, 2012. (Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer)

assiduously than the next.

One person held a sign saying, "Kings fans since 1971."

Fans argued about who went to games first, and who first believed in hockey in Los Angeles

One spectator could admit to being a newbie: 6-month-old Roman Muniz of Riverside.

"He's the next generation," said his father, who shares the boy's name. "We started him off early with a parade."

Elisa Herrera, 29, with her fiance, Richard Lomeli, 31, of San Fernando, came prepared for the celebration. Herrera had spent hours creating an 18-inch aluminium foil Stanley Cup replica.

"Oh, my God, I can't believe it," she said, standing along the parade route.

"Tears are in my eyes," Lomeli added.

A blast of silver, black and white confetti and streamers exploded from the tour buses and covered the crowd.

For Kim Willeman, 57, of Redondo Beach, a fan since 1971, it was the best day of her life and her first Los Angeles victory parade.

"It's great," Willeman said. "I would say, it's about time people realize hockey is here in Los Angeles. It's been here. They just didn't know it."

Lucky fans who snagged a ticket to the Championship Rally then proceeded into Staples Center for an event that was as high energy as anything in hockey. More than 18,000 fans packed the arena to the rafters.

And the crowd only got louder when Kings captain Dustin Brown carried the Stanley Cup as the rock band Queen's "We Are The Champions" blared and fans chanted along.

Hockey officials and players and announcer Bob Miller, who emceed the rally, praised the victory after a 45-year wait.

Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson, playing to the crowd, said, "I'll tell you something most politicians wouldn't admit to: I drank a beer with Quickie in the float. I'll keep the can for the rest of my life," referring to MVP goaltender Jonathan Quick.

"The city of Los Angeles is not just a City of Angels. We are the city of champions," Wesson added, before leading the crowd into another chant of "We Are The Champions."

One by one each player was introduced, and many praised a win that's still sinking in.

"It's unbelievable. This is a pretty special moment," Brown told the audience. "I once said we're not just individuals, we're a team. I look behind me and just see champions."

"This has been a glorious run. For all of us, it will live forever, in our hearts and in our minds," said Hall of Fame broadcaster Miller.

"Let's say it again: We are the Stanley Cup champions."

Staff Writer Tom Hoffarth contributed to this report.

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