The Los Angeles Kings winning their second Stanley Cup in three seasons was named as the greatest sports moment of 2014 in the Los Angeles/Orange County area.
The region’s top 10 sports moments of 2014 were announced at the 10th annual LA Sports Awards at The Beverly Hilton. The list was determined by an 11- member blue-ribbon media panel combined with on-line fan voting conducted by the Los Angeles Sports Council, which also conducts the LA Sports Awards.
A “moment” refers to anything from a specific instant in time — such as a winning goal, hit or shot — an individual or team milestone, an upset victory, a remarkable game or series of games, a special event or career achievement. The moments must have taken place in the Los Angeles/Orange County area or involved an area athlete or team.
The Kings won seven elimination games, including three Game 7s on the road, to win the Stanley Cup.
Here are the remainder of the top 10 moments in order:
— Clayton Kershaw wins National League Cy Young and MVP awards;
— California Chrome wins Kentucky Derby and Preakness;
— Landon Donovan sets Major League Soccer scoring record, selected All- Star Game MVP and retires as a champion;
— Los Angeles Galaxy win MLS Cup;
— Steve Ballmer buys the Los Angeles Clippers;
— Ducks play Kings at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles’ first outdoor NHL game;
— Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Mike Trout wins American League MVP Award;
— Kobe Bryant passes Michael Jordan, becomes third-leading scorer in NBA history.
Kershaw and Trout were previously announced as the region’s 2014 Sportsmen of the Year; figure skater Gracie Gold the Sportswoman of the Year; Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers as the Coach of the Year; and Los Angeles Kings President and General Manager Dean Lombardi as the Sports Executive of the Year.
The Los Angeles Sports Council is a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote economic development in Southern California through sports.