Karalahti Goes Nowhere Fast

Defenseman Jere Karalahti figured his problems with the U.S. government were over when he was granted a visa to come over from his native Finland to play for the Kings after two months of haggling.

On Wednesday, there it was again, but now the difficulty was with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Karalahti was to join the Long Beach Ice Dogs for their game at Salt Lake City on Wednesday night, but John Wolf, assistant to Dave Taylor, the King senior vice president and general manager, had Karalahti’s passport.

Without a passport, Karalahti, had no photo identification and could not board a plane to Utah to meet the Ice Dogs. Instead, he was in the press box at Reunion Arena on Wednesday night.

Karalahti will join the Ice Dogs for their home game Friday night.