Coyote Tracks - TGIF March 19 Edition

Woo-baby!!  Hope you didn't give up on that Coyotes game last night after the second period.  The Coyotes scored 2 goals quick (Martin Hanzal on the power play; Lee Stempniak a few minutes afterwards) and then got a fluky bounce goal to force overtime (thank you Radim Vrbata dump that eluded Tomas Vokoun).  Lauri Korpikoski and Vrbata scored in the shootout; Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 2 of 3 shooters, and the Coyotes "Made It Seven (wins in a row)".

Combined with a Kings loss and a Sharks loss, the Coyotes are comfortably in 4th position (8 points up on LA), but only 3 points behind San Jose (who does have a game in hand).  22 games over .500; sold out crowd waiting for them Saturday night when they take on the Blackhawks.  It's a truly great time to be a Coyotes fan....

Recaps from last night:  Travis' take is here... [AP via ESPN] [Litter Box Cats]

LAST NIGHT'S NHL SCORES: PHX 4 - FLA 3 (SO); PHL 3 - DAL 2; STL 4 - NYR 3; PIT 3 - BOS 0; WSH 3 - CAR 4 (OT); OTT 3 - ATL 6; BUF 6 - TB 2; NJ 1 - TOR 2 (SO); MIN 0 - NSH 5; SJ 2 - VAN 3; CHI 3 - LAK 0

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After the jump, here clear out room in the wagon, folks are starting to catch on to the Coyotes' story...

Coyotes go beyond surprise into revelation territory - NHL - CBSSports.com Hockey
Wayne Gretzky was ousted as red ink flowed and moving vans circled. But the playoff-bound Coyotes have amazingly risen from the ashes in Phoenix, Wes Goldstein says.

Why the Phoenix Coyotes can win the West. " The Good Old Hockey Show
Yeah, we can win the west...and we sure as heck just might...

Pacific: Deals help Coyotes set record for wins - NHL.com - Division Notebooks
The Coyotes were the NHL's most active team at the trade deadline, and the deals have paid off.

Phoenix Coyotes' new players find a way to adapt off the ice
Speaking of those new players, they are getting settled just fine.  And apparently Yandle has found a new place to live...I hope some Fandle took him in...just make sure he gets plenty of rest and don't feed him after midnight...

Lee Stempniak Talks About Getting Traded, Fitting In With the Coyotes -- NHL FanHouse
Desert Ninja gets some more press...with points in every game since coming to Phoenix, he deserves it...

Lease dogs Coyotes' buyers - Winnipeg Free Press
Yeah, we just can't have all rosy news....

Critics angry as taxpayers forced to prop up hockey team
Just follow the link...trust me, this is the start of your whimsy...

The Phoenix Coyotes Starring In Major League - From The Rink
This was a fanshot yesterday, but it's too good not to include again in case you missed it.

Hope to see you at the game on Saturday...if not, make sure you're watching on FSAZ in HD...Coyotes are rolling!!!