Friday notes: Fiddler, Aucoin get "A" for effort

Vern Fiddler and Adrian Aucoin were new additions to the Phoenix Coyotes this season, but their determined play and contribution to Phoenix's hottest start in nearly a decade have already earned them leadership positions.

With the absence of Ed Jovanovski and Zbynek Michalek due to lower body injuries, Fiddler and Aucoin were selected by Dave Tippett as assistant captains until the two injured blueliners return to the ice.

It's a good move by Tippett, who obviously is looking for players who show effort every night as well as have the maturity to be a good dressing room influence.

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Tomorrow, the Coyotes face off again against the Anaheim Ducks - this time in their barn - er... pond.

We haven't seen the Ducks since a very chippy affair that saw James Wisniewski threw an elbow into Shane Doan's face. Interestingly, Wisniewski returns from his two-game suspension for that elbow just in time to meet Doan again on the ice. However, don't expect anyone on the Coyotes to pursue any further retribution. "It's over," Doan says.

Notwithstanding, these two teams really hate each other and you can expect a lot of fireworks when the puck drops - which, honestly, is a great recipe for a fun hockey game. This tilt is not being televised so be sure and join our game chat for the big event!

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It's Movember and teams all around the NHL are growing moustaches to support the fight against prostate cancer. No word yet on whether the Coyotes will be taking part officially, but if they are tomorrow's a good time to get tips from a guy who knows how to flash the 'stache - Anaheim tough guy George Parros. Not since the 1970s has such an awesome lip brush been seen in the league.