Three Arrested Following Kings Stanley Cup Triumph

Los Angeles Kings fans peacefully celebrated the team's second Stanley Cup in three years Friday night amid heavy security near Staples Center.

"A huge majority of folks were just great, enjoying themselves," Los Angeles Police Department Cmdr. Andrew Smith told City News Service. "A couple of people were a little excited at the end."

There were three arrests, one for suspicion of being drunk in public and two "private persons" arrests at an L.A. Live restaurants of suspected drunken patrons who would not heed a manager's request to leave at around 9:30 p.m., shortly before the Kings' 3-2 double-overtime victory over the New York Rangers, according to Smith.l

The two people arrested at the restaurant "got in a little tussle with our officers," but both were taken to jail, Smith said.

A private persons arrest is the term used by the LAPD for what once was known as a citizen's arrest because "you don't have to be a citizen," Smith said.

Smith said what surprised him most was how the King fans treated the Ranger fans.

"We were following some Ranger fans out just to make sure they were OK," Smith said. "People were coming up to them, hugging them, taking selfies with them. It was quite a sight."

According to Smith a couple of Rangers fans turned to him and said "What a great crowd here in L.A."

Shortly after the end of the game, about 50 Los Angeles Police Department Officers in riot gear stood in the middle of Chick Hearn Court between Staples Center and LA Live. A contingent of about 15 officers on horseback were also present in front of Staples Center.

When asked for the reason for the peaceful nature of fans following the Kings' two championships compared to the five won by basketball's Los Angeles Lakers since 2000, Smith said hockey fans "are very polite," "good people" who were "high-fiving officers."

Smith called the post-championship celebration "very similar" to the Kings' first title in 2012, but in 2012 "there were a lot more people hanging out" at the intersection of Figueroa Street and Chick Hearn Court, Smith said.

— City News Service