Kings' farm team advances to Calder Cup Finals; can add to club's trophy haul

Despite their failure to qualify for the playoffs this spring, the Los Angeles Kings organization may still end up adding a piece of hardware missing from their crowded mantle.

Los Angeles's AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, advanced to the Calder Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history Wednesday night, sweeping the Hartford Wolf Pack with a 3-1 victory in Game 4.

The Monarchs are led by two of the top three regular-season scorers, Brian O'Neill and Jordan Weal, who have been outstanding in the playoffs and will be under the watchful eye of Kings' brass at training camp this fall.

Manchester will meet either the Grand Rapids Griffins or Utica Comets - employed by the Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks, respectively - in the final.