Coyotes Defeat Ducks in Shootout, Win Third Straight

- Overall, one of the most entertaining Coyotes games I’ve seen in the past few years. The passion and hatred for the Ducks has only intensified the rivalry after the ‘hit’ on Doan.

- From our season ticket seats, it looked like Wisniewski was afraid Doan was going to cut back towards center ice, and stuck his elbow up to get a piece of The Captain.

- To any naysayers about it being a clean hit: If it was a clean hit, then why did Doan have a cut under his eye? That would be one of the ‘headshots’ the NHL has been promising to crack down on. Period.

- The unsung heroes of the Coyotes IMO, this far into the season: Lombardi, Aucoin, Fiddler, and Upshall. They’re not flashy, but they play solid, sound hockey. The energy they create by simply hustling on every shift is rubbing off on players who have been used to ‘the monotony of Wayne’. The Coyotes are looking ( dare I say) inspired, and it really shows.

The ‘sung heroes’.
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-This time last year, I would have told you that I was sick and tired of Bryzgalov, that he was great up close ( but let easy no-brainers in from the point), that he needed contacts, and that I couldn’t wait for him to be ran out of town. WHat a difference an off-season makes. THIS is the Bryzgalov that was advertised when we got him from Anaheim. He’s stood on his friggin’ head so far, doing more than should be asked of a goalie. To me, that’s the mark of a great goalie. I apologize, Bryz. It’s nice to see you back where we always thought you should be.

- Lang. Keep him healthy, and the ‘Yotes have a clutch goal scorer that has so much ice in his veins, he probably forgot the meaning of the word ’pressure’.

- Vrbata – Tampa who? Radim showed us in the shootout why the backhand is the most dangerous shot in hockey. And if I were a prone goalie looking at Radim’s backhand, I’d be scared shartless too. And with good reason. So glad he came back.

- Doan – I don’t mean to harp on the Wisniewski hit, but there is a reason Doaner wears the ‘C" on his jersey. Any other team captain would let his hired guns do their dirty work for them, but not # 19. Sure, Yandle was being a great teammate. But with Doan’s fearlessness, he showed he’s not just some pretty boy with soft hands. Those soft hands can turn into cement blocks in a hurry, and newer hockey fans in Phoenix need to realize that a player like Doan doesn’t come along every day. Oh, and the fact that Aucoin took a slapper right up Wisniewski’s balloon knot doesn’t hurt, either.

- The Ducks- mainly Cory Perry and Ryan Getzlaf, sure are whiny. After every freaking whistle, Getzlaf and Perry could be seen pointing at other players, almost as if they were trying to ref the game themselves, or plead their case for better ice position. Sadly, the refs called some really BS penalties on the ‘Yotes, and had some TERRIBLE missed calls. The NHL can’t fine me, but they’d be idiots not to review the officiating of this game. Hey, NHL. You added a fourth ref on the ice. You can’t be missing shiz like this.

- The turnout for these games needs to improve. Yes, fans are feeling burned by the whole Ballsillie/Moyes ordeal, but these kids are playing with so much heart. They deserve to be cheered for their grittiness. We’re looking at players with houses and families right here in the valley, their futures uncertain at times because of all this mess. What do you have to complain about? 20 extra minutes on the freeway from Scottsdale? You have a team that’s winning, and the bandwagon’s rolling by. Jump on now. You won’t regret it.

Wasn’t it nice to see this guy in the stands?

Thank you Mercer. I’m a San Jose transplant, moved out here a few years ago. I still love San Jose, but it seems my allegiance could be a little more useful to the ‘Yotes. had season tickets from the minute I touched down out here, with my folks. We sit on the handicapped railing in 119 ( right by the bar, woo woo!) . I wasn’t sure if I could copy and paste a blog I did on my other team’s page, but the blog at icethetics.info caught wind of it and linked it on their blog. I could link you, but it’s on fear the fin…. Maybe I’ll just try to cut and paste it……. Look for the ‘fashion statement’ post.

Ooh, I’m ghetto famous! hehehe. Not sure if it’s entirely on topic, but I hope some people get a kick out of it.