Random Thoughts

I have been contemplating a few things that have come to my attention lately. These are things that I would love to discuss with Coyotes management, if I had the balls to talk to them. I may have to send another fan to do the dirty work. 😉

First off, I am a season ticket holder (further referred to as STH). You would think that I would get the best price on all tickets. Do I? No. There are some areas of the arena that if I want to sit there, I use my group sales rep because it is cheaper than the STH price. Why is this? Maybe I should go back to just buying group tickets. This is what I did my first year here but then I was mesmerized by all the “perks” STH get…

Which leads me to my next complaint…the perks seemed to have gone down hill every year since I have been here. I have also heard confirmed reports of this from STH who have been STH for quite some time (some for as long as the Coyotes have been here).

Last year we had a backstage pass, where after a game the STH would get to go downstairs and see the players come out. I liked it because I got to get autographs/photos of my coyotes and I also could see some of the other players from the NHL. This year the program has been changed so that only STH with more than one seat can go and you will only get to meet three randomly selected Coyotes players. I am going to end up meeting Jovo, Jokinen and Hale or some other player that I really don’t care that much about or already have pic and an autograph. Rumor is the players didn’t like the old way because they thought the fans were more excited to see the other teams players then to see them. Well, there were a couple of those but most people were there to see the Coyotes. I feel like this rumor may not be the whole truth.

Also, in years past the Coyotes have had meet and greets/player parties throughout the season at various places in the Valley. So far management has not mentioned player parties, not even dates. This is a good way for fans to interact with players (usually two players), get some autographs and win some prizes (sponsored by Bud Light). This would be a terrible thing to get rid of as the fans really enjoy it, it’s not just STH, and there always seems to be long lines. I have heard the players don’t like it, but too bad. You get paid big bucks (some of it my hard earned money) so you can suck it up one time a year to meet some fans. You don’t see them having a problem doing the golf thing…

Hopefully the coyotes will still do the game night with the coyotes, as it is a charity event. It seems like most of the guys have a good time with it, except JR because he was apparently too good for it.

Also, last year they gave out autographed jerseys and/or sticks to STH. This year we get a t-shirt. Yup, a t-shirt. And some people didn’t even get the postcard to “order” their t-shirt. Also in the past they have given out jerseys and plaques to mark Cujo’s wins (the plaque had a picture and a piece of the net). I know times are tough and they aren’t making any money but not making the effort to keep STH happy isn’t going to help.

Also last year the scratchers were much better than this year. Last year each scratch card would get you two free tickets to anywhere but the Toyota Club. This year you only win one free ticket. And they are all to games that were offered as “bonus nights” (will talk about this in the next paragraph). Also, I get one scratcher when I walk through the door. I saw (and know) some people who get a stack of scratchers. I asked my brother if he got one, and he said no. I told him he needs to get to the games earlier to get the scratchers because the people don’t follow their own rule of one per each guest. Also, the line to redeem them is a mile long (and they say on the ticket they have to be redeemed that night) so we were told the box office stays open an hour after the game. We decide to go put our names in at The Yardhouse and go back to redeem the tickets and the box office was closed. I am going to go on Monday and if they say I can’t redeem them, I will be calling and/or emailing my ticket rep. I am not going to miss the game waiting in line for a free ticket.

And lastly, I hate the bonus night. Last season we got vouchers to upgrade, which was really nice. It allowed those of us in the upper bowl to sit center ice or by the penalty box. It’s always nice to switch it up and see the game from another spot. This year there are no voucher upgrades. Instead we get bonus night. We got to pick three nights (from a pre-selected list) where we would get bonus tickets (you get one bonus ticket per seat on your account, so if you have two seats, you get two bonus tickets). Ok, nice thought. You can bring a friend or two to the game, introduce them to hockey right? Well problem is the bonus seats aren’t next to your seats. They said they would try to get them as close as possible. Well mine are a row back and a couple of seats over. I know people who aren’t even going to use their bonus tickets because they aren’t next to their seats.

Maybe the Coyotes need to actually listen to their fans. It might help and it definitely couldn’t hurt. I know you can’t please everyone but every issue I have brought up here seems to be the complaints of many. These reasons are really making me think about next season. With the economy as it is, I really need to think about where I am spending my money. Being able to see every home game is awesome, but I need to think about if this where I put a big chunk of my budget. This has nothing to do with the players, I will always be a fan of this team. But maybe I just need to watch from home and go to the games that aren’t broadcast or maybe a partial/min plan would be better. I have a lot of time to think on this.

Sharks at Coyotes

Let me just start off by saying OMG Gretzky, pull your head out of your ass and be a coach. Don’t coach based on your “man crushes”. UGH

Basically Gretzky said that Telly would get the start (they even changed the article to take out where he said Telly would start). You know, the whole you get to play if your hot thing but what does he do? He starts Bryz. And our offense does a great job of kicking off the game with two goals. So the Coyotes are quickly up 2-0 and the Sharks take two shots on goal, and score. On both. Within about a minute of each other. OMG. But I do have to say, Gretzky was at least smart enough to pull Bryz at this point. In the past he has just kept him in.

This would have been a totally different game had Gretzky started Telly. It may have went the other way and the Coyotes could have ended up with a 2-1 win instead of a 3-2 loss. Telly has just been outstanding. So who gets the start against the Kings on Tuesday? Do we try Bryz again? Do we put Telly in? To me, this Kings game is crucial. The Sharks are the best team in the league and we hung in. The Kings are another story. I said at the end of last year the Kings would be the team to watch out for and it looks like I may be right.
But I digress…back to the Sharks game.

Best Part of the Game: Carcillo rocking JR into the bench. AMAZING.

Best Goal: KT getting his second goal of the season after a 19 game goalless streak. Let’s hope this gives him the extra boost he needs. He has been really battling and playing hard the last few games, now let the goals come.

Players who seemed off: Doan and Sauer. Neither of them played like they normally do, but they weren’t horrid. Just off.

Boneheaded move of the game: Jovo taking a stupid penalty after about 2 minutes of a 4 minute penalty to Joe Thornton. So, why are we playing Jovo so much on the PP? He makes bone headed mistakes, he gets caught not moving, he turns the puck over. Come on Jovo, you are being paid over 6 million per season, play like it. And Gretz? I know you can’t bench him, but don’t play him on the PP if he’s sucking. Don’t give him the ice time. Send him a message. Maybe send him a message in practice too because you know, if you practice lazy, you play lazy.

Best Dmen: Dmo (another goal) and Z. I don’t think I need to elaborate on Z. AMAZING.

Hockey Milestone of the Night: Rhino playing his 500th game. Congrats Rhino! He also played a great game. He was trying and battling through Sharks but like I said, Doan was just off last night and Rhino was trying to get something going but couldn’t.

Surprising Moment of the Night: Hanzal and Thornton going at each other. Hanzal has developed quite the mean streak.
Second Most Surprising Moment: Bods getting in the face of some dude at least 2-3 inches taller than him.

Rookie Mistake of the Game: Bods hesitating to shoot. He looked like he forgot how to. He stuttered so much by the time he did shoot the lane was clogged.

Underrated Dman (besides Z): Klee. He seems to have really made a difference in Yandle’s play.

Areas we need to work on: Winning face-offs, especially crucial ones.
Power Play, we can’t control the puck on the PP and spend most of the time in our own zone or at center ice.
Shooting. The last two games our SOG have been pathetic. You can’t score if you don’t shoot. What is it that Gretz said…You miss 100% of the shots you never take, meaning SHOOT MORE.

Player that was not missed: Jokinen. Would he have made any difference? Probably not. He didn’t show up for the last how many games we’ve played before he was injured. I think the last game he was really fully there for was when we played the Panthers.

And as an after thought, I like the colors and style/design of the new jersey but I cannot get past the logo. I do not like the leaping “coyote” (I use that word loosely as it looks more like a fox to me or a ferret according to the Coyotes Skate Coach). They could have done something so much more.

Up next we have the Kings on Tuesday. Like I said, team to watch. This may be a battle for us but I know the guys can do it.

Thursday the Maple Leafs come to town. I am not sure how this game will go. Toronto is currently in 10th place in the East. They have played the same amount of games (23) and have the same amount of points (22) as the Coyotes. They also play the Kings on Monday, Sharks on Tuesday and Coyotes on Thursday. This game could go either way.

Coyotes 2, Avalance 1

Oh what a game! I have to say, I love Telly in net. I even started a chant and had everyone around me doing it. The old guys next to us loved it. They even got in on it. After a great save we’d just go Tell-E, Tell-E. It was fantastic. He got the first star of the game and totally deserved it.

Dmo started it off with a goal early in the first. For being out with an injury, he came back with a bang.

It seems our guys play better in front of Telly. All of our dmen seem to really step up ther game.

We really need to work on the face-offs. It is a little sad how pathetic we are in this department.

Again, people are freaking out over Jokinen’s injury. They are saying we just got lucky there last two games and happened to have a hot goalie. I don’t think it’s luck but we will see what happens tonight when we take on the San Jose Sharks.

Jokinen out 2-4 weeks

Jokinen will miss 2-4 weeks due to the injury he received during the Columbus game.

The comments I have been reading are funny. Everyone is freaking out about it. He left the game half way through, and we won. We can win without him. Actually, I think we played better without him in that second half.

I for one am not worried about this injury. As long as the boys play their game (hit hard, skate fast) they will be ok.

it just made me laugh to read the comments basically saying it’s the end of the road because Jokinen is out. We didn’t win the last 6 games with him in and the game he leaves, we win. Maybe he is the problem?

This needed it’s own post….

Phoenix Coyotes (8-9-2)They need a wake-up call. The best way to deliver it: bench Ed Jovanovski. A veteran — one wearing the A, no less — on a young, struggling team, he has to make an impact. Instead, he’s a major liability in his own zone, caught too often standing still or simply out of position. Of the 697 players who have skated this season, just five have a plus-minus rating more dismal than Ed’s minus 10. It’s often an overplayed stat, but here it tells the story.*

DAMN, what have I been saying all year? That’s what I thought. I love being proved right. Take that bitches trying to tell me Jovo is doing just fine. He is continuing his stupidity from last season but he is not getting the goals and assists to (somewhat) make up for it. Ok, I am done gloating now. I love being right. 🙂

*stolen from http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/allan_muir/11/25/power.rankings/index.html?eref=T1

Really Quick Game Post

Coyotes at Columbus
A big congrats needs to go out to David Hale. He got his first ever NHL goal last night after a streak of 231 goalless games (that‘s 5 seasons of no goals). It also was the game tying goal. Way to go Hale!

Carcillo got his second goal of the year and also had a great fight. It was long and there were some hard punches exchanges.

Tiki got the game winner for his second goal of the season also. It came with about 2 minutes left. I was never happier for a goal. I did not want to give Columbus a point.
Telly played outstanding. He definitely needs to get more starts.

Jokinen left the game after a hit and didn’t return to the ice. At this time it is unknown how long he will be out with an upper body injury. We are having a rash of injuries, Dmo, Winnik and now Jokinen. Hopefully Dmo and Winnik will be back in the lineup soon.

Gretzky kept the lines together, for the most part. Obviously he had to make some adjustments when Jokinen left the game, forcing Lisin to play center.

I think that is all I got for now. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving! I will be back this weekend as the Coyotes take on the Avs (Friday) and the Sharks (Saturday), both at home.

(I told you it was quick – I didn’t take notes, just enjoyed the game)

Coyotes at Rangers

Another lunch time post from me! Enjoy the spelling and grammar mistakes. 🙂

Last night the Coyote faithful were feeling pretty good about the game. Our boys hadn’t been playing their best, but they certainly weren’t playing their worse. They have done really well against the teams they should have lost to, so everyone was feeling pretty good about the Rangers game. We were wrong.

And it isn’t as if the boys played horrible. They had a great first period but somewhere in the middle of the second they fell apart.

Some observations before we get into the game info. I was listening to the radio on the way home and Tyson had said he spoke with Carcillo and Carcillo told him he planned to get into three fights this game. If only he had done that. It may have been the boost we needed later in the game. Also, Mueller was wearing the A in DMo’s place. I have to wonder why Mueller would get the A. Is this a way to motivate him? He hasn’t been playing his best. He has stopped moving his feet for the most part. Is this from all the muscle he put on? Is he feeling the pressure to perform after a fairly stellar rookie year? It could be that he just needs some kind of motivation, like this responsibility, to kick him in gear. I am not a fan of rewarding poor play, but maybe he has shown some good leadership in the lockerroom and Gretz was hoping this would kick start his play. Bryz was awarded the start even though he has only played NYR once and lost but I guess that could have been the fault of the Ducks players also. I am not really sure, but it is never encouraging to hear your goalie has a losing record with a team, albeit one game.

Ok, the bulk of my entry will focus on the first period, as the boys rocked it. Carcillo did get one ofhis promised fights in agains Dubinsky. Dubinsky was a little upset with how hard Carcillo was driving to the net and they decided to go. Carcillo got in some really good hits before Bubinsky turtled and Carcillo just kind of gave up. It can’t be much fun to fight a guy who just kind of drops to his knees after 3-4 good punches.

One of the better lines was Carcillo-Jokinen-Lisin. Jokinen was very visable and having a great first period. Those three seemed to really have some good scoring chances… if only the Rangers didn’t have Henrik. I hope Gretzky keeps this line together. It seems to have a lot of potential. Lisin and Carcillo had some chemistry at the end of last season. Carcillo and Jokinen seemed to have some last night. Please Wayne….KEEP THIS LINE TOGETHER.

The other line that really stood out was Fridge-Turris-Tiki. Fridge was playing up in the slot while Turris and Tiki were really working the front of the net (thank you) and digging in the corners. Both seemed to be holding their own fairly well (Tiki better than Turris). Forcing them to play with the big boys in the corner just might be what Turris needs. Does he still get pushed a bit? Yes but at least he is seeing how strong he needs to be on the puck in the NHL. I think he is still adjusting, but he is getting there.

Carcillo and Fridge really seemed to be handing out the hits last night. And of course, Z was taking them. He will take a hit to make a play. He blocks shots like crazy (he is the league leader in blocked shots). Z really should be voted a star in every game. He does his job well, quietly, and efficiently. He doesn’t stand out like some players do (Carcillo, Doan, Boedker) but he deserves much more recognition than he gets.

The Coyotes really seemed to out play the Rangers in the first. They were controlling the puck and out shooting them. They ended the period with 16 SOG (although later MSG changed it to 15 and Pang made the comment that 16 SOG would be a season high for Lundqvist…hrmm I will leave that up to you to decide why it was changed…). Lisin also scored the first goal, assisted by Jokinen and Klee. Unfortunately we ended the first tied 1-1 when Betts scored for the Rangers.

The second and third periods were not that pretty for the Coyotes. They weren’t horrid but they weren’t anything like the first.

Bryz started to look a little rusty/stiff in the second and that is always a bad sign.

The refs also seemed to change after the first period. There were no calls in the first. They just let the guys play. The first penalty was called on Klee because Sjo’s stick broke. It was definitely not slashing but the refs always call that when it involves a broken stick. Sjo’s stick could have just been weak. I hate that call, seriosuly just because the stick broke, doesn’t mean it was a penalty. Later in the third, Carcillo took a high stick to the face (very obvious) but there was no call yet Lisin and Klee get penalties for stupid stuff. Lisin got sent to the box for just truing to get his stick out from between two players. That was considered a hooking call. There have been way too many hooking calls so far this season. It’s absolutely crazy. If I think about it, I may do a seperate entry on this. Also, the refs waited for ever to whistle a play dead. Bryz had the puck stopped and it was no where to be seen on the ice yet the refs let play continue for like 10 seconds. It was sad.

But the good news is the PK seems to have improved. Pang mentioned that the coyotes have been reviewing video to see what they need to do to get a better PK. It seems to have worked. They were able to really control the puck. They had real good control, they were even in the Rangers zone for awhile but then it was forced out and Hale gets the puck and just dumps it in, even though they could have kept control. I guess that is a doh! moment. 🙂

Now where they really need the videos and improvement is the PP. The Coyotes let the other team control the puck much to often on the PP. But one positive point, Rhino was down batteling in front of the net. We need more of that! Imagine what could happen if we could get the puck to the net, rebound goals. It doesn’t have to be pretty; it just needs to go in.

The scoring in the second and third was all Rangers. Dubinsky started it off, which was actually a combo of Bryz and Jovo. Bryz didn’t know where the puck was, so it was going under his leg. jovo tried to clear it out, but he accidently tapped it backwards into the net instead. Girardi got one in off the post and Gomez got the empty netter to finish the game.

Jovo was hit by the puck late in the third. No one really knew where it hit him, but it seemed to be the midsection. He doubled over and slowly skated over to the bench. With DMo out, we can’t afford to lose Jovo too. Who would take his ice time? He may not be the best player out there, but we don’t really have another guy who could step in and cover his minutes while DMo is out too.

Speaking of DMo, he is hoping to play in Columbus Wednesday. He is battling a few different injuries (ankle, upper body). Columbus might be to early depending on the conditioning for his upper body injury. In speaking with Todd Walsh, he was asked about doing the interviews with Todd and DMo stated he was too ugly for it. This made me crack up because obviously DMo is much better looking than Todd Walsh. And DMo had a grin on his face as he said it. I think he knows he is better looking than Todd also. 🙂

Flyers Win in OT. Bad Coaching to Blame for Coyotes Play?

The defense really let the Coyotes down last night. 3 of the Flyers 4 goals were a direct result of Dmen being out of position. Surprisingly one of them was Sauer. He is usually spot on. I think part of the problem is that Dmo is out. Whenever he is out, the D seem to struggle. The other goal was just a bad bounce off a player (it looked like it went off one of our guys legs). Telly was perfectly positioned for the puck but the redirct was something he couldn’t have seen coming. Telly played a great game. I hope they keep him in against the Rangers. Let Bryz know he can’t just have the job, he needs to earn it.

The highlight of the game was Carcillo finally got his first goal of the season. And it was a beauty. He dumped it in and Hanzal went after it behind the net, and so did Biron. Hanzal was able to get the puck to Carcillo who had an open net. Biron could not get back in position fast enough. The look on Carcillo’s face was priceless.

Hanzal also had a pretty goal in the second. Then Fridge had one in the third to put us up 3-2. Unfortunately the boys couldn’t hold on to the lead and the Flyers tied it up, forcing OT. We even went into OT with a man advantage but couldn’t convert.

Which brings me to another point, the Power Play. Our PP looks more like a PK far too often. We let the other team control the puck too much. I am starting to doubt the coaching staff. They seemed to have regressed. Last year the coaching staff seemed to be improving but it looks as if they have taken a large step back. We have a very talented group of guys out there on the ice, why can’t they win or even play more consistently? I have decided it has to be a coaching issue because mostly I cannot come up with another reason why a team with this much talent can’t play.

They dump and chase when they should carry it in. They carry it in when they should dump and chase. They pass when they have open scoring lanes. They shoot when the lanes are blocked (mostly shooting into the player 2 feet in front of them, causing it to bounce off and that player getting a break-away). They change lines far too often and far too slowly. The D has been looking horrible the last couple of games, the forwards can’t score. They look disconnected with each other on the ice. They aren’t communicating well. They look more like individuals on the ice, not a unit. I believe that is a direct result of bad coaching.

Also, I think Gretz and Maloney need to get over their man-crushes. If Jovo isn’t playing well, sit him. If Mueller isn’t playing well, sit him. If Bryz is looking bad, pull him or sit him the next game. They keep saying you have to work hard and show you want it, or you sit. Well Mueller looks like he could care less if he’s playing or not and Jovo doesn’t even try to correct his mistakes anymore (at least when Yandle realizes he messed up, he makes the effort to fix it). Sit those guys. They act like they don’t want to be there, so don’t put them in for a game or two. Send them awake up call. Put McGrattan in. Yes, he doesn’t skate well and he is not the best player, but he gives it his all when he gets to play. He also gives it his all in practice too. He wants it. He is hungry for it. So use him to send a message.

Those are my reasons for thinking it is more of a coaching problem then the players. I am now off the Gretzky bandwagon. I was all for giving the guy a chance, but he’s had enough of a chance and the fans deserve to see a great product. We pay them with our hard earned money and I don’t want to see a half ass job out there. This, along with another entry I am currently working on, are reasons I may not renew my tickets next year.

Friday Night Fun Times with Hockey!

Last night was bitter sweet. I went to Cooperstown after work (had horrible service btw) to watch the first two periods of the Coyotes game. Carolina quickly went up 2-0 but the Coyotes were able to fight back and tie it up. Unfortunately Bryz did not play his best game. He looked slow and wasn’t quick to respond. He could have easily stopped some of those goals. I will blame the D when they deserve it, but this was all Bryz. He was looking sloppy at the end of the Blackhawks game (that shoot out was bad) and they should have rested him and played Telly. If Telly doesn’t play tonight, I am going to really wonder what Gretzky is thinking (or is he not thinking..?).

Staal got the hat trick and the Hurricanes ended up winning 5-2. We need to get our forwards to start scoring. Carcillo is trying. He is shooting that puck but he just can’t get it to go in the net. It will come, he just needs to relax. I don’t have too much more to say about the Coyotes game. They certainly didn’t play their best but it wasn’t their worst effort either. I still can’t believe Bryz was in.

Tonight the Coyotes take on the Flyers (yah, I still have a special place in my heart for that team). I hope they put Telly in, especially after that performance from Bryz. The flyers haven’t been doing that well this season and dirty Danny is still out (at least from what I saw last night during the game). I am not going to say this should be an easy win, because that means we will lose. I just hope the boys skate fast, hit hard and score some goals.

Last night I also went to the roadrunners game. It wasn’t looking so good to start. We got a new goalie from the AHL, Kyle Jones, who was awful. He let in 4 goals in the first period. Luckily the coaches were smart enough to pull him and play Goalie! in the second and third. This gave the guys a chance to come back, which they quickly did.

The roadrunners finally pulled ahead making it 6-5 with about 1 minute to go. It looked like they were going to win it but somehow the Condors found the back of the net, tying the game.

We went to OT and it was looking like a shoot out was going to happen but new Dman Dane Crowley scored with about 5 seconds left! This was an awesome game and made me forget about the Coyotes lost. I am so glad I went to this. There were some big hits and the refs really seemed to let the guys play. There were times when there should have been calls, but what can you do (besides the Hey Ref! You Suck! Cheer).

I must say, I did not like the Condors uniforms. On their numbers, they had Carl’s Jr. stars. It looked absolutely ridiculous. Well, they are part of the Anaheim Ducks/Iowa Chops family…that might explain some of it. 😛

And finally, a picture of Goalie! So you can all see how he wears his socks. 🙂

‘hawks win in Shoot-Out but really, they suck

Welcome to another edition of Lunch Time with Hipchecks, as I know you all appreciate and enjoy these not perfectly edited editions of my blog (ok, they are never perfectly edited but I normally use word to help me watch for typos and what not).

Last night the ‘hawks tried to invade the job with their cheap plays and dirty hits (the refs weren’t much better but I digress..). The Coyotes were having none of that and both McGrattan and Carcillo tried to throw down without much luck. If you are going to act tough, then you need to step up when asked to go. I have now officially added the ‘hawks to teams I dislike (joining greats such as Ducks, Red Wings and Penguins).

McGrattan tried to get something started early but the ‘hawk player wasn’t having none of it. McGrattan was asking and shoving and the dude just climbs onto his bench. Carcillo was later yapping at another ‘hawks player and asks if he wants to go. Carcillo is about ready to drop the gloves, he is just waiting on the ‘hawks player who apparently can’t make up his mind so then the linesmen skates over and puts a stop to it. Those guys must have known they didn’t have a chance. But if you are going to act like a dick, you better be able to back it up.

The surprises of the night was the Hanzal/Toews fight and the Jokinen/Frasher fight. Hanzal definitely won that fight. It didn’t look like Toews got any punches. Jokinen’s fight was more like a wrestling match with Jokinen being the one that gets the take down. Also, right as this fight started, the ‘hawks wanted a goal because they thought Bryz let the puck by, but he didn’t you shoved Bryz and puck into the net, then you knocked the net off.

There was a lot of diving by the ‘hawks. They’d barely get hit and they’d fall to the ice like it was the end of the world. And the refs kept falling for it and whistling play dead. Yet when Jovo goes down, they ignore it and the Coyotes had control of the puck (and seemed to be waiting for the whistle). Since there was no whistle, the ‘hawks are able to score.

McGrattan got a 10 minute misconduct at the end of the second. I am not sure what happened there. Someone said it was because he was yapping at the ‘hawks bench, the official asked him to stop (or escorted him to the bench) and he just kept going. I am not sure if that is true, none of the articles I’ve read have said what it was for.

It was Shane Doan’s 900th career game and he was the man with the PP goal that tied the game. Z got us on the board first when we were down 2-0. Carcillo still hasn’t found his scoring touch. I have to say, I am proud of the way the Coyotes played (killing off a stupid Jovo penalty in OT was awesome) and they deserved that point (even though I still don’t believe in the whole point for a loss thing).

As far as the shoot-out, we can blame those two goals on Bryz. That was all him, no defense out there to help you buddy. I want to look up his record against Chicago, because I feel like he has yet to win a game against them since coming to Phoenix. Speaking of Bryz, he started to make me really nervous in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Seriously, let’s play Telly next game.

Turris and Mueller were the first two shooters. I would love to ask Gretzky who his third choice was and why he picked those two to go first. Was Doan or Jokinen going to be the clutch player? Was Turris picked to help boost his confidence? Was Mueller picked because he was the best last season (with Vrbata) but still was only at about 50%? I didn’t get a good look at Turris’ shot (the guy in front of me was tall, broad shouldered and had a big head and it was hard to see around him) but he is usually pretty good at lifting the puck and going top shelf, and I don’t think he did that last night. Note to Gretz: work on a shoot out drill k? K.

Coming up: Friday is Coyotes at Carolina. I will only see part of it as we are heading out to the RoadRunenrs game.
Saturday we take on Philadelphia and during the broadcast the Coyotes will reveal their new 3rd jersey. Until then, enjoy the hipchecks and hockey we are all so lucky to have. 🙂