Coyotes Tracks - January 3, 2012 - Raffi Takes A Seat

The big Phoenix Coyotes news yesterday was Raffi Torres being suspended for 2 games. Tonight his team hits the ice without him in St. Louis. The Coyotes game with the Blues starts at 6:00p.m. MST and can be seen on Fox Sports Arizona. Head over to St. Louis Game Time for a Blue viewpoint on the matchup.

In addition to links of Raffi's Shanaban, we've got links on yesterday's Winter Classic, games involving Pacific Division teams, and more belwo in the Tracks.

Coyotes News

Raffi Torres suspended 2 games Video - NHL VideoCenter
Brenden Shanahan explains the reasoning behind the Torres suspension.

Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres gets 2-game ban for hit - The Arizona Republic
Includes quotes from Torres.

Raffi Torres Suspended Two Games for Hit on Nate Prosser - Hockey Wilderness
Bryan Reynolds with a Wild perspective on the suspension.

Coyotes’ Torres gets two games for continuing to be Raffi Torres - Puck Daddy - NHL Blog - Yahoo! Sports
Harrison Mooney wins best headline of the day.

Raffi Torres receives two-game suspension = ProHockeyTalk
James O'Brien isn't convinced Raffi will learn his lesson.

Phoenix Coyotes Take on St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center Tues Jan 3rd - Howlin' Hockey - A Phoenix Coyotes blog
Preview of tonight's game. Plus a shout out for FFH.

More links after the jump...

Aucoin's Blog: It's Good to be Back in the Lineup - PhoenixCoyotes
The d-man retrurns to the lineup and to the blogging world.

Pirates News

Pirates 5, Whale 4 OT: Whale of a tale - The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram
Pogge got pulled, Oystrick scored twice on the PP, and Brett MacLean potted another goal.

Even when down the Pirates are finding ways to win - Maine Hockey Journal
Portland came from behind to win their matinee with the Ranger's AHL affiliate.

Sundogs News

Dog Caller - January 2, 2012 - Arizona Sundogs Stung By Killer Bees - Five For Howling
Valerie's weekly update on Prescott Valley's CHL club.

Sundogs Complete a Pair of Trades with Missouri - Official Site of the Arizona Sundogs: Sundogs News
Sundogs looks to shake things up after their recent run of losses.

Winter Classic

2012 NHL Winter Classic, Rangers Vs. Flyers: Rangers Beat Flyers 3-2 In Remarkable Game - Blueshirt Banter
MIke Rupp and Henrik Lundqvist starred in this year's outdoor game.

Winter Classic Thoughts - Howlin' Hockey - A Phoenix Coyotes blog
bigjackdaddy gives his take on what he'd like to see from future versions of the game.

LeBrun: Winter Classic grades - Cross Checks Blog - ESPN
Pierre LeBrun hands out letter grades for yesterday's event.

News From Around the Hockey World

Sharks win 3-2 over rival Vancouver in shootout - Fear The Fin
The Sharks still have plenty of games in hand on their division foes as well.

Avalanche at Kings Recap: Varlamov Rules Kings, Leads Avs To A 2-1 Shootout Win - Mile High Hockey
Varly and Avs beat the Kings last night, but allowed them to gain a point in the process.

Oilers Win The Game, Lose Gilbert and Nugent-Hopkins - The Copper & Blue
Edmonton may have won the battle but lost the war if RNH & Gilbert are out for an extended period of time.

Hark! Mike Green Has Returned - Russian Machine Never Breaks
The Caps have won three in a row and now are getting their best offensive D-man back.

Dan Carcillo injures himself on a dirty hit - Backhand Shelf - theScore.com
Car Bomb still isn't the sharpest tool in the shed.

Gauthier talks coaching change, says Habs still have time - NHL.com - NHL Insider
Habs GM talks about what needs to change, and suggests there will be another coaching change in the near future.

The Final Howl

Down Goes Brown: Inside Gary Bettman's New Year's Eve party

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