Coyote Tracks - TGIF February 19 Edition

Huh, wuh?  So the US finds some offense late against Norway and piles on the goals, Canada squeaks by the Swiss in a shootout and then Russia falls to Slovakia?  Really impressive goaltending in those last two games (I'm just basing that on pure numbers as I didn't see the Russia-Slovakia game)...but when Halak is stopping Ovechkin, Kovalchuk and Malkin in the shootout, that's pretty impressive.

As for your Coyotes news and notes...

Scottie Upshall Talks With Dave Vest About His Injury And Recovery
Scottie seems in pretty good spirits.  No mention in the article though about his recent Twittering regarding a certain former Coyote's run in with the law in Phoenix...Scottie is a silly one.

The playoff push: 90+ points or bust - The Globe and Mail
Mirtle's annual post on what he predicts it will take to make the playoffs.  Coyotes look to need about 15 points post-Olympic break.  Definitely doable...rest up boys!

Five Questions: Can the Coyotes Finish the Race? | Icy Coyotes
Jim Neveau looks at the Coyotes stretch run and answers some questions...

Tax zone proposed to help Phoenix Coyotes - Phoenix Business Journal:
This is the rational headline on this topic...

Arizona Legislator Floats Futile Phoenix Coyotes Taxpayer Bailout - Michael Tunison - The Sporting Blog - Sporting News
This is the irrational headline...

Either way, a small tax in the Westgate area would not bother me personally in the slightest if it was the one thing needed to give the Coyotes a little help turning a profit.

Rampage get sweet win over Admirals on Valentine's Day
Down on the farm...Mikkel Boedker's game-winning goal gave the Rampage a 2-1 win over the Milwaukee Admirals and completed a sweep of the holiday weekend's games. Rampage captain Jeff Hoggan (1 assist) and Boedker (1 goal) each netted a point in their returns from Phoenix for the break...

Some Olympics whimsy...

First, Ted Leonsis has a few notes on his team's participation in the Olympics and what it's getting for him...
A Few Notes about Hockey at the Olympics " Teds Take

Next, check out Alex Ovechkin's new Olympic skates:

Capitals Insider - Alex Ovechkin's skates
After Team Russia's practice yesterday, Alex Ovechkin told reporters he had something cool in store for his Olympic footwear. "I will have a twist of my own," he said when asked if his skates would be red, as Caps teammate Tomas Fleischmann had suggested. "It's a secret. You will see..."

Enjoy your weekend of Olympics - perhaps we'll open a gamethread for USA-Canada on Sunday night.