Five For Howling: FanPosts

Street Hockey

2013-04-18T23:20:02Z

[Ed. Note - bumping this up so that it gets some eyes from the readers. Should be a great time!!!]

Sup, y'all?

Trying to organize a weekly street hockey game for Coyotes fans. A lot of us have communicated through Twitter and such and we actually held on last week to a decent turnout.

We plan on playing, and last week played, at Westgreen Park on 87th Avenue and Butler, just northeast of The Job.

We are tentatively scheduling this week's for 6:30 p.m. at the same place. Keep in mind though that it would be during the Coyotes game against the Blackhawks in Chicago.

If you are interested, either hit me up here or on Twitter at @B_Murdock1320.

Thanks!

[Ed. Note - bumping this up so that it gets some eyes from the readers. Should be a great time!!!]

Sup, y'all?

Trying to organize a weekly street hockey game for Coyotes fans. A lot of us have communicated through Twitter and such and we actually held on last week to a decent turnout.

We plan on playing, and last week played, at Westgreen Park on 87th Avenue and Butler, just northeast of The Job.

We are tentatively scheduling this week's for 6:30 p.m. at the same place. Keep in mind though that it would be during the Coyotes game against the Blackhawks in Chicago.

If you are interested, either hit me up here or on Twitter at @B_Murdock1320.

Thanks!

Manchester Phoenix Rise from the Flames for Finals Weekend

2013-04-16T19:06:00Z

By now you may have found out that your adopted Euro hockey team, the Manchester Phoenix, won their first EPL playoff title this weekend just gone. Around 11.30am AZ time on Sunday April 7, 500+ of us Phoenix fans were going well and truly mental as the final seconds ticked by and the unthinkable happened. The Phoenix had, against the best team in the land, won the final dance of the season.

Re-wind about 24 hours and those same fans were filing into the Coventry SkyDome to watch the second semi-final of the day between the Basingstoke Bison and the Manchester Phoenix. Earlier in the day, the league winners, the Guildford Flames, had come through their encounter with the MK Lightning. The Flames did what title winning sides can do, win while not playing their best. Standing in the way of the Phoenix meeting them in Sunday's final were the Basingstoke Bison. A team the Phoenix had only beaten once this season and a team with possibly the league’s best goalie between the pipes.

On the flip side, the Phoenix could go into this game with little to lose. Most people in the arena would expect the Bison to win. So there was little expectation for us Phoenix fan's. Personally I thought we had a chance, but a small one. All would depend on the mood of the Bison goalie and what Manchester Phoenix would turn up. A fully fit, for once, Phoenix squad took the ice and took the game to the Bison. Scoring the first goal, I think, surprised a lot of people. The game was a close affair, the Phoenix played some good hockey and the game remained close throughout. After a 5 minute overtime session that produced no goals we went to the lottery of a penalty shootout. At this point I must admit to giving up a little bit. There was no way we could get past Lyle in the Bison goal on penalty shots? Surely? The first round saw each team score twice so extra shooters were needed. Phoenix went first through James Archer, attacking the goal at the far end from us Phoenix fans, James went up ice, deked and as Lyle slid across, time seemed to slow. After what felt like an age the red light went on, we all jumped up and exploded with delight, we knew that the Bison had to score or we were in the final. The Bison player/coach Doug Sheppherd would take the crucial shot. He attacks the goal right in-front of us, comes in, puts a fake on Fone in our goal and lifts the puck...........clang..........the puck hits the plexi behind the goal....no goal....no goal. Phoenix are through to the final and we all went mad!

Sunday saw many a sore head come back for the final. The Phoenix second appearance at the final game in as many years. This time, our lads would take on the league winners. Guildford Flames are the big spenders of our hockey league and as a result have strength in depth like no other. We are allowed 4 'import' players, Guildford have 5 and some of the top British players in this country. On paper the Flames have the obvious advantage but, one thing in our favour, the Flames like to play hockey. In games of proper hockey the Phoenix always have a chance! It would be tough but, the Phoenix had a great chance of securing a different outcome to that final 12 months ago.

In the run up to the game it was obvious that, every supporter in the arena, bar Guildford fans, wanted the Phoenix to win. 'Anyone but Guildford, anyone but Guildford la laa laa laa' was the chant. Which gave us a great feeling, we had all the support, we just hoped our guys could put on a show now!

Against the Guildford Flames, the Phoenix always bring out their best. These games are great adverts for Ice Hockey in this country and the final was no different. From the first puck drop both sides went at the game fast and strong. From the early exchanges the Phoenix were edging the play. Even surprising the Flames are how hard they came playing. To win the trophy the Phoenix really needed to score first and they did, on the power play too! The arena erupted as the Phoenix fans at one end went mad. The teams captain Luke Boothroyd ghosted round the back of the play to be found open for a back post tap in. Great goal! The Phoenix continued to press and forecheck the Flames while not allowing a goal. By the end of the first session the Phoenix were ahead 1-0.

The Phoenix carried on their great form and struck hard in the second period with James Archer scoring a fantastic breakaway effort, then the Phoenix scored a real heart breaker for the Flames. A short handed effort from Barri McKenzie.
Flames needed a quick start to the third and they got it, scoring just 40 seconds into the period. Us Phoenix fans started looking at each other with some nerves hoping this was not the start of a comeback! We needn't have worried! A perfect reply to the Flames goal, the Phoenix scored another shorthanded effort. Tony Hand skating in was passed the puck and, just around the faceoff spot unleashed a howitzer of a slapshot high above Mark Lee (Guildford goalie) right shoulder. In a rare show of emotions from Tony he jumped up into the plexi in front of us. We all knew how big that goal was! To make things even better, Phoenix standout import forward Michal Psurny scored and exact replica of Hand's earlier effort to make it 5-1 Phoenix. This is when we really believed and, despite the Flames pulling a goal back, with the clock running down the team and fans alike began to revel in victory. When the final buzzer went we all went mad. 10 years or the Phoenix, so many times the bridesmaids or the nearly men, the Phoenix had done it and won their first playoff trophy.

The feeling after the game and in the pub's after was of shock, after so many years we had actually done it, actually won! We were all just relaxing and smiling. Sad that the 2012/13 EPL season had now ended but, what a way for it to end! I only hope the pictures show how much fun we had!

via i75.photobucket.com

Thanks to editor Carl for turning the above into something readable, and thanks must also go to Richard Allen the Manchester Phoenix photographer for the pictures!

via i75.photobucket.com

Thanks to editor Carl for turning the above into something readable, and thanks must also go to Richard Allen the Manchester Phoenix photographer for the pictures!

SAD EFFORT

2013-04-13T05:16:00Z

Poor effort from the Otes, especially Hanzal, Vrbata, Schlemko, and Stone,
Vrbata and Hanzal both over 20 + minutes of ice time, over 2 + minutes of PP.
Hanzal 1 shot on goal, Vrbata 2 shots on goal.
Why does the PP stink it up?
Schlemko 2 + minutes on the PP. Why is he even out there for PP?
Stone 2+ minutes on the PP, another head scratcher.
When is Tippett going to replace Hanzal on the #1 PP unit?
Hanzal will not stand in front of the goalie, he can not win the faceoffs when on the PP.
Hanzal is killing this team!!!!!

Poor effort from the Otes, especially Hanzal, Vrbata, Schlemko, and Stone, Vrbata and Hanzal both over 20 + minutes of ice time, over 2 + minutes of PP. Hanzal 1 shot on goal, Vrbata 2 shots on goal. Why does the PP stink it up? Schlemko 2 + minutes on the PP. Why is he even out there for PP? Stone 2+ minutes on the PP, another head scratcher. When is Tippett going to replace Hanzal on the #1 PP unit? Hanzal will not stand in front of the goalie, he can not win the faceoffs when on the PP. Hanzal is killing this team!!!!!

What Would Donnie do?

2013-04-03T05:15:31Z

Vote, and be sure to tell us what you think in the comments.

Poll

With the win over LA, is GMDM a buyer or a seller on trade deadline day?

Buyer

7 votes

Seller

5 votes

Keep it the same

6 votes

18 votes | Poll has closed

Manchester Phoenix - Destination: Playoffs

2013-04-02T19:46:30Z

via i75.photobucket.com

Phoenix v Bracknell, EPL Playoff Quarter Final – For FFH

Playoff's UK style are a fair bit different than what you are used to in the NHL. With only 10 teams in the league, the teams play each other enough during the regular season, adding 3 or 5 game series on top of that come post season would be massive overkill. So we have a home/away aggregate quarterfinal round and the lucky 4 teams going through to the end of season showpiece in Coventry. 10 teams, one arena, two days....it's one great big party!

Standing in the Manchester Phoenix way were the Bracknell Bees. The Bees are a team the Phoenix had a good record against this year. The away leg down in Bracknell saw the Bees end the first leg with a 4-3 lead to take up the M6 motorway to Altrincham. 60 minutes for the Phoenix to overturn that deficit and extend their season for another week.

Phoenix had to come out and control the game from the first whistle, score the first goal and the aggregate scores are level. Allow the Bees to score and that hill, becomes a little more difficult to overcome. For most of the first period the Phoenix controlled puck possession and camped out in the Bees zone. They did get the first goal and, with almost perfect timing, took the lead in the tie with a second goal with two seconds remaining in the period. 2-0 up on the night after the first period, controlling the game, the perfect start for the Phoenix.

The second period went by the book again for the Phoenix, two goals and dominance again on the ice. So far, the Phoenix had been able to stay out the penalty box and capitalise a few times on the power play.

Entering the third period, the Phoenix were in a great position. The third period saw the home side pick up a few more penalties but the PK unit was working hard. Both sides traded goals, but the Phoenix never let the Bees build up any momentum. Whenever they scored the Phoenix managed to re-assert their commanding lead. Time wore on, the home fans began to get loud. With two minutes to go a, hairs rising on the back of your neck, a rendition of "Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, were going to Coventry, Que sera sera" rang out loud and proud in the Ice Dome. The seconds ticket by, the final buzzer went and the Phoenix were confirmed as one of the final 4 next weekend in Coventry.

So the Phoenix set off, fully fit, and in good form, and will play the Basingstoke Bison in the semi-final. This is the team the Phoenix have only beaten once before this season. Results would suggest the Bison will win, but, as we Coyote fans know, playoff hockey is a whole different animal to regular season hockey. Anything can happen!

The countdown is on, 5 days until Coventry, 5 days until one massive party kicks off!

Should say all those fan's in white above? That's us Phoenix fans creating our own WhiteOut!

Keep an eye on my twitter, I will try and give you a taste of the atmosphere! @theangrybudgie

via i75.photobucket.com

Phoenix v Bracknell, EPL Playoff Quarter Final – For FFH

The countdown is on, 5 days until Coventry, 5 days until one massive party kicks off!

Should say all those fan's in white above? That's us Phoenix fans creating our own WhiteOut!

Keep an eye on my twitter, I will try and give you a taste of the atmosphere! @theangrybudgie

What's it like being a hockey fan in the UK?

2013-03-26T19:27:17Z

What's it like to be a hockey fan and a Coyote fan in the United Kingdom (UK)?

I'll answer with a couple of different parts.

First, How I became a Hockey Fan

Guess I have to say thank you to my mum for this one! She became the physiotherapist for our local Ice Hockey Team before my birth. So, as soon as I came into this world I was down the local ice rink in the pram. As I grew up, I quickly laced up some skates and took the ice myself. Every Wednesday night skating with my friends, quickly developed into playing for the junior squads right up to the age of 13/14 when I decided to quit. From those early years, being a hockey fan was ingrained in me and I was going to be a fan of no other sport. I loved the thrill, the speed, the noise of the sport. I loved how different it was to football, to cricket and all the other sports in the UK, it felt special! Hockey is my sport and has been always……29 years and counting!

As soon as I began playing the sport and supporting the local team, I began to watch the few bits of NHL we got here in the UK, so it felt right to adopt a team. Right about this time the internet began to take off and I remember the moment clearly, sat in an internet café setting up my first email account. It was the summer the Coyotes arrived in the desert and the idea of an Ice Hockey team in the vastness of the Arizona desert captured my imagination. How on earth could an Ice sport work in such a hot, baron landscape? Instantly I knew, this slightly oddball team, would be mine to follow forever. Thanks to the Coyotes, that summer, I set up my first and only email address…..coyotes_uk. It’s been that way ever since!

Second, What's it like to be a Hockey fan in the UK?

In the UK, the vast majority of sporting attention revolves around Football, proper football that is! It saturates the news, the media, and the nation’s consciousness. You only have to see the hysteria in the media in the run up to a major competition to realise how ingrained football is in the UK. Naturally every other sport has a hell of a time to get heard. Hockey is a minority sport, so it rarely gets a mention in the national media. Locally Hockey does ok and each team in the country has numerous fans who blog, tweet and make podcasts to spread the word. Myself, I have my own blog and contribute to the Manchester Phoenix podcast every home game.

When you talk to people and say you are a hockey fan, you'll be greeted with a puzzled face and the statement 'isn't that just full of fights?' Most of us roll our eyes and try to explain, fighting is part of the sport, but there is so much more to it than that! I love being a hockey fan in the UK, I like the uniqueness of it. Whenever I travel around the world and people as where I’m from, when I say Manchester, they always ask, 'Are you a Manchester United or City fan?' I’m proud to say, 'Neither, I’m a Hockey fan!' The looks you get when you walk around towns and cities in your hockey shirt are priceless too. Also, the hockey community is awesome to be part of. Football is king, but Football is also a tribal sport. Can you imagine Manchester United and Liverpool fans in the same ground with no segregation? Hell no!

Third, What's it like to be an NHL fan outside North America?

Frustrating! I remember going to one of the first NHL Premier games at London's O2 arena. While neither teams involved were ones I supported, it was still amazing to see NHL teams live in action. Other than a few NHL games seen while on holiday it's so hard to get to an NHL game yourself. We have to rely on NHL Game Centre or the sole broadcaster on TV to pick up and screen NHL games. Then, there's the time difference. Bearing in mind North America is between 5 and 8 hours behind the UK, a 7pm start for an NHL game can mean staying up until midnight or even 3am to watch the puck drop.

Fourth, What's it like to be a Coyote fan in the UK?

Fantastic and annoying at times. There are a few similarities between the Coyotes and the Manchester Phoenix. The Phoenix can trace their history back through some very choppy waters. From their old Ice Rink being demolished through to the collapse of the Manchester Storm at the Manchester Arena it has never been plain sailing. We all know about the Coyote's struggles, so I feel such a strong affinity with the Coyotes, more so than any other UK based NHL fan feels for other NHL teams. You would think the Coyotes, having one of the smaller fan bases in the NHL, would not have a large following at all in the UK. Just from attending Manchester Phoenix home games, I can tell you there are a good 3 or 4 of us who display Coyote colours.

So that's what it's like to be a hockey fan in the UK. I’m proud to be a hockey fan and to be a Coyote fan. Phoenix and Coyote fans have both struggled through adversity, many others said we'd be finished at times, yet we are still here, still going strong, and still competing. We are hockey fans, we are Coyote fans!

Hope you enjoyed reading. If you fancy saying hello, I'm on Twitter.

What's it like to be a hockey fan and a Coyote fan in the United Kingdom (UK)?

I'll answer with a couple of different parts.

First, How I became a Hockey Fan

Second, What's it like to be a Hockey fan in the UK?

Hope you enjoyed reading. If you fancy saying hello, I'm on Twitter.

FFH Podcast Episode 2

2013-03-09T19:39:01Z

On today's episode we talk the possibility of making a trade.

FFH Podcast Episode 2

On today's episode we talk the possibility of making a trade.

FFH Podcast Episode 2

Phoenix Coyotes Fan Video: Pack Pictures Needed!

2013-03-06T14:35:13Z

Hello Pack,

I like many of you have been struggling with the roller coaster ride of being a Coyotes fan...but what a wonderful wild ride it is, isn't it? I love this team, as you all do, and I want to see them stay here. It has been wonderful to see the work our team is doing on the ice, wonderful to see Todd Walsh's "Remember When" segment, and wonderful to see all the political action work going on in Glendale. What I want to do is let the world see US, The Pack, simply being fans of this amazing team.

Here is the concept:

A YouTube video with a short intro, voiced by our very own Dave Zorn, then a series of pictures and short video clips of Coyote fans, with a closing that would read like a commercial to a potential owner. I'm still working on that part, if any one would like to help with that just let me know. I have a wonderful brother, who happens to have his own video business, and has offered to put this together for us with some of his magic. What do I need from The Pack?? PICTURES!!!

Here are the instructions:

Get dressed up in your Coyotes gear. Nicole wear your ears! Dress up your kids, your dog, your cat. Then make a sign that reads: "I am part of The Pack" or "We are part of The Pack". Then take a picture holding your sign. Next, upload that picture to me at katrina.devinny@gmail.com. You can opt to do a SHORT video where you say the words, but the sound has to be VERY GOOD and the file that you send can't be over 15mb. If you can pull it off though go for it! Then take your Coyotes gear and put it on your neighbors, hand them the sign and take a picture of them and send it to me. You get the idea! If you are a fan that doesn't live here in AZ then feel free to include your location on your sign. Please email your pictures to me NO LATER THAN March 18th. Get creative and let's show the doubters and the nay sayers that WE ARE THE PACK, WE ARE HERE, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE HERE! I hope that you will help spread the word and I think the message will be a powerful one!

Thank you all!

Katrina DeVinny

Hello Pack,

Here is the concept:

Here are the instructions:

Thank you all!

Katrina DeVinny

FFH Podcast Episode 1

2013-02-23T20:05:49Z

We did a podcast, check it out and leave constructive comments below.

FFH Podcast Episode 1

We did a podcast, check it out and leave constructive comments below.

FFH Podcast Episode 1

Informal Poll: Whose Hair Is Worse?

2013-02-14T01:40:11Z

Phoenix Coyotes goalie recently got a haircut which has caused him to be considered "the hockey player with bad hair" which is actually quiet an accomplishment when you think about it. And nobody is going to say that it is a good haircut, but is it the worst haircut? For instance is it worse then Five For Howling blogger Carl Pavlock's hair in high school.

Mike Smith:

(credit to imgur /Reddit)

We've all seen what is currently being described as the "Mullethawk" or "Coyote Ugly" by a clever Puck Daddy commentator. And yes it is terrible looking.

Carl Pavlock:

This picture requires a bit of context because believe it or not at one point this was probably an acceptable hairstyle. This wasn't the 90's and I wasn't on my way to an Everclear concert, this was my senior picture in 2006. And that isn't bad lighting, that is 2 different shades of blonde because after my roots started growing out I just rebleached my hair which caused part of it to be white.

So readers you decide who has the worst haircut?

Mike Smith:

(credit to imgur /Reddit)

We've all seen what is currently being described as the "Mullethawk" or "Coyote Ugly" by a clever Puck Daddy commentator. And yes it is terrible looking.

Carl Pavlock:

So readers you decide who has the worst haircut?

Poll

Whose hair is worse?

Coyotes Goalie Mike Smith

12 votes

Coyotes Blogger Carl Pavlock

32 votes

44 votes | Poll has closed

A tale of a Canadian Coyotes fan

2013-02-08T19:39:28Z

Mike Sadowski contacted former City Of Glendale Council Member Joyce Clark and shared his story. Joyce, in turn, posted it on Facebook. We contacted Mike and asked if we could share his chronicle on Five For Howling; he agreed. So without further ado, Mike's tale:

My Background:

I am from a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada (I know…hear me out) currently living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. When the Jets (1.0) moved to Phoenix in 1996, I was 8 years old. I don’t remember why (possibly because of the awesome jerseys), but I immediately decided Phoenix was my team from the start. From the ages of 8-13, I listened to every single Coyotes game on internet radio. It was always very special during playoffs, when I could actually watch the Coyotes games on TV. When I turned 13, my parents finally decided to start buying the NHL Center Ice package for me. I don’t believe I have missed watching a Coyotes game since. Even games I couldn’t watch, I would record, and watch it later. I have received a lot of grief from my friends over the years as they just can’t understand why my favorite team would be the Phoenix Coyotes. The common fans around here are Oilers, Flames, and Leafs, but I think that is what I like. Here, the Coyotes are mine. It feels like they are my team. All I really need in life to make me happy is a big screen TV with the Coyotes game on, and a cold pint a beer to go with it.

Trips to Glendale:

In 2011 after graduating University and getting a job, the first thing I did was save money so I could go to Phoenix. In the 2011 Playoffs against the Red Wings my dream finally came true, as I flew down to Glendale for games 3 and 4. The feeling I got when I saw Westgate and the fountains outside of Jobing.com arena (the ones I had seen on TV for so many years) was indescribable. Though that series did not turn out well, it was a great experience. Since then, I have been to Glendale two more times, once in November 2011 with 7 other friends, and in April last year for the unreal series against the Hawks.

Phoenix Fans and Attendance:

After going to Phoenix three times, this is the opinion I have formed on the fan base. The fans that I talk to and meet, are all diehards. The STH and the fans that go to the games are some of the most passionate fans I’ve seen. Then on the other hand, a lot of people I talk to probably couldn’t tell me what icing means (the waitress at the Yard House in Westgate asked me what sport the Coyotes are). It almost seems like there are two extremes of people; Diehard fans, and non-fans, no middle ground of casual fans. However, I have seen the fans that are out there on TV. I remember seeing the games at the old AWA on TV, and that building was rocking almost every night. The move to Glendale along with ownership saga has really hurt that fan base. But I for one know that it is there. Nobody ever gives Phoenix credit, but drawing 15k and over for that many years in a terrible AWA arena, with terrible ownership is very impressive. And then even after the move to Glendale, 14-15K average with some of the worst teams in the NHL through the non-playoff (Mike Barnett) era. If it’s worth anything, I give Phoenix fans full marks for that.

Ownership Saga:

The last 4 years as a Coyotes fan have been the toughest, yet most exciting times in their history in my opinion. The play on the ice has been incredible, which I attribute to 3 things: Dave Tippet, Shane Doan, and the "Us against the world" philosophy. Over the last 4 years the players, and us the fans have both lived under that philosophy. People here have gone from grinding my gears about being a Phoenix fan, to repeatedly asking me if I am excited the Coyotes might move to Canada? My answer? Nope. I am the furthest thing from "Every team should be in Canada". If you truly love the NHL, then you should want it to continue to grow. The only way that is possible is to get hockey on the map in markets that aren’t already hockey crazy. I always explain it to people like this:

If you operated a lemonade stand, and you were doing quite reasonable, would you be content, or would you take your earnings, and open up another lemonade stand in a different City that’s never had lemonade to try and grow your market? We all know Canadians love hockey. So should the NHL be content with that, and sell the game to the target market? Or try and increase the size of that market?

I live in Saskatoon, which has never had NHL hockey (came close in 1992). Yes, 99.9% of everyone here loves hockey. I am sure we would fill then building every night if a team came here. But if the NHL put a team here, would they gain any new fans? Or just please existing ones? In a place like Phoenix, the NHL has a chance to increase the amount of fans the league has, and grow the business.

Canadian Trolls:

First of all, don’t even listen to these losers; it’s a waste of your time. I understand people in Quebec want a team back, because they are a passionate fan base. But to wish for a team is one thing, to pray for the demise of another team in order to get yours, is another. However don’t let that group of trolls ruin your opinion on Canadian fans. Of course in times like this, the only people you will see and hear are the negative ones. That’s what social media does, it allows people to voice their opinions to anyone while hiding safely behind their computer screen, and unfortunately Coyotes fans will only hear the negative opinions. I can tell you that in Saskatchewan there are a lot of people believing the Coyotes should get every chance to stay in Arizona. Anyone with common sense will route for a fan base to keep their team. I find it especially troubling that people from Quebec City can route for the Coyotes to relocate, when they know exactly the pain that causes to the fans. When Atlanta moved to Winnipeg a lot of people were very excited. But the first thoughts should have been, that’s too bad it didn’t work out for the fans in Atlanta.

Meeting Shane Doan:

Equipment Manager Stan Wilson is from Melfort, Saskatchewan. And through a friend of a friend I was able to get in touch with him the last time I was in Phoenix and get a dressing room tour from him. So here’s my experience meeting Shane Doan, as it was a memorable one, this story was read on NHL XM radio:

Last November on the eve of American Thanksgiving, myself and 8 other friends flew down to Phoenix from Saskatoon, and attended the Coyotes win over the Ducks. I had arranged a dressing room tour through a friend of a friend with long time equipment manager of the Coyotes Stan Wilson. To my disappointment, by the time we got into the dressing room after the game was over, all the players had already left for home...or so I thought.

As I was getting a tour of the room, I took a peak through the gym window, and recognized none other than Shane Doan, working out in the gym, hours after a game, the night before thanksgiving, when all teammates had left.

He noticed me, and came out, and had a friendly chat with me and my 7 friends for no shorter than 20 minutes. He even went as far as to comfort me in my nerves over the ownership problems.

This meeting left no doubt in my mind why Shane is regarded the way he is, and why he is the best Captain in sports. See my picture attached!

Where we are today:

I’ll be honest, for the first time in this saga, I am worried. On January 31st as the clock ticked down on Jamison I dove into the liquor because I was almost certain that would mean the end of the Coyotes. But for some reason I woke up on the 1st with some renewed confidence. It might be stupid confidence, I don’t know. But it’s there. So here are my thoughts on where we are today, and where it’s going.

1. First thing I noticed’ Weirs isn’t as dumb as I thought. To me, he seems like a guy that’s going to get this settled one way or another. Mayor Slugs allowed the process to move as fast as her nickname. Also, Chavira doesn’t have a clue where he is. Has no knowledge of what is going on.

2. Any lease deal with Glendale will only pay AMF 6M or less. This could change if they do finally figure out what it costs to run the arena. But Sherwood finally stepped up and started the process they should have done long ago. Put out and RFP, asking for proposals to run the arena.

Figure out what that will cost, and you can negotiate with any potential owners based on that fee.

3. To help clear the mess in Glendale however, they should hire a completely separate person to run the arena. Send out an RFP looking for an arena manager. Hire him/her. Any negotiations with potential owners would simply be: If you buy the Coyotes, you can rent the arena from the City for usage, and you get to keep all revenue from concessions and ticket sales during Coyotes games. Keep it simple.

4. Exactly like Martinez said yesterday, the Coyotes right now have about 4 months here. It’s a short window, but it’s a window. I believe it can be done in this short time. Somebody can simply step in, and make a proposal on a lease agreement, based off of the Jamison agreement, with their own changes. I believe that can happen and I am hoping it will. However if it doesn’t, I am almost 100% certain the team will be leaving in July.

Closing:

I rambled a bit there, but I haven’t had a chance to discuss all of this with anyone around me because nobody up here has the knowledge to talk about this with me, so it’s nice to get it out. I wish I could help all of you in your fight to save the Yotes, but there’s not much I can do. So I would like to thank all of you that have put a lot of effort in to help keep my beloved Coyotes in Arizona. Joyce Clark, Bea Wyatt, George Fallar, Dave Zorn, Greg Dunaway, Tim Greene, Kaleb Reedy, Carly and so on. I don’t know if you have all helped, but those are the people I follow on twitter and keep me the most up to date.

I am flying down to Glendale again in April for three games, so if anyone would like to have some drinks and talk Coyotes with us in Westgate before or after a game, I’ll more than likely be at the yard house.

Keep up the Coyotes talk on twitter everyone, I enjoy reading it, and it keeps me updated. Have faith things will work out!

Go Coyotes!

You can follow Mike on Twitter @desertdog17.

My Background:

Trips to Glendale:

Phoenix Fans and Attendance:

Ownership Saga:

Canadian Trolls:

Meeting Shane Doan:

He noticed me, and came out, and had a friendly chat with me and my 7 friends for no shorter than 20 minutes. He even went as far as to comfort me in my nerves over the ownership problems.

This meeting left no doubt in my mind why Shane is regarded the way he is, and why he is the best Captain in sports. See my picture attached!

Where we are today:

Figure out what that will cost, and you can negotiate with any potential owners based on that fee.

Closing:

Keep up the Coyotes talk on twitter everyone, I enjoy reading it, and it keeps me updated. Have faith things will work out!

Go Coyotes!

You can follow Mike on Twitter @desertdog17.

Informal Poll: When will Jamison announce the deal?

2013-01-26T17:32:21Z

According to the lease agreement with the City of Glendale, Greg Jamison has until midnight, January 31st to close the deal with the NHL, and finally rescue the Coyotes from the bankruptcy that was started nearly 4 years ago. Finishing things moments before a deadline is our specialty here at Five For Howling, but what does everyone think?

Poll

When does he do it:

Tonight, before the Kings game

12 votes

Monday, Before the Predators Game

9 votes

Tuesday, sometime

16 votes

Wednesday, before the Oilers game

40 votes

Thursday, at the last possible moment

81 votes

I'm confident he will get it done

153 votes

Some other group will keep the Coyotes in AZ

164 votes

I'm a horrible Canadian troll, and he won't announce it

56 votes

531 votes | Poll has closed

Time for New Leaders

2013-01-25T07:24:10Z

Coyotes need a new captain,Shane is a great leader for this organization off the ice, but Doan's skill level has fallen considerably, he has trouble staying up with his line mates, loses the puck too easily can not maintain possession of the puck, doesn't cover his man when back on defense he drops the player he is suppose to be on all most everytime.
Hanzal, one of the laziest hockey players I have seen in a long time, he doesn't hussle back for defense, and when he does gain the zone he stands still and watches the play or he skates in a small circle in the cease area watching the play never engaging an opponent.On the power play once in awhile Martin will stand in front of the goal to screen the goalie but usaully he will take the easy way out and stand behind or near the goalline next to the goal waiting for a rebound or a pass.
Yandle, since he had his clock cleaned in the playoffs by Todd Bertuzzi he has not been the same player, he is afraid to get hit or to that matter hit some one himself. He is a turnover machine, he is so afraid of getting hit he will either pass the puck to any where, usaully to the other team or just let give up possession of the puck to who ever is coming at him.
Worst thing is when both Hanzal and Yandle are on the ice together they turn the puck over all most everytime and it is usaully in our own zone.
One would think the Coyotes GM Don Maloney could package Hanzal and Yandle together so that the Otes could get a top snipper to help out players like Boedker and Lombardi,

Coyotes need a new captain,Shane is a great leader for this organization off the ice, but Doan's skill level has fallen considerably, he has trouble staying up with his line mates, loses the puck too easily can not maintain possession of the puck, doesn't cover his man when back on defense he drops the player he is suppose to be on all most everytime. Hanzal, one of the laziest hockey players I have seen in a long time, he doesn't hussle back for defense, and when he does gain the zone he stands still and watches the play or he skates in a small circle in the cease area watching the play never engaging an opponent.On the power play once in awhile Martin will stand in front of the goal to screen the goalie but usaully he will take the easy way out and stand behind or near the goalline next to the goal waiting for a rebound or a pass. Yandle, since he had his clock cleaned in the playoffs by Todd Bertuzzi he has not been the same player, he is afraid to get hit or to that matter hit some one himself. He is a turnover machine, he is so afraid of getting hit he will either pass the puck to any where, usaully to the other team or just let give up possession of the puck to who ever is coming at him. Worst thing is when both Hanzal and Yandle are on the ice together they turn the puck over all most everytime and it is usaully in our own zone. One would think the Coyotes GM Don Maloney could package Hanzal and Yandle together so that the Otes could get a top snipper to help out players like Boedker and Lombardi,

University of Arizona Wildcat Hockey Teddy Bear Toss Video!

2012-12-09T19:12:39Z

Wildcat Teddy Bear Toss (via Natalie Hannah)

Down in Southern AZ, Wildcat Hockey sweeps NAU Lumberjacks in an exciting Saturday night game after Friday's blow out win for the Wildcats. A string of penalties in the third period aganist the Wildcats is what nearly cost them the game. Last night's teddy bear toss collected 900 bears from the community (Above Video). All bears to be donated to Toys for Tots.

For full write up of game go to Arizona Daily Wildcat website.

BearDown!

A Collection Of Bargains

2012-10-01T04:34:58Z

It’s Fall. Pre-Season has started and it’s the time of the year when I am usually taking a hard look at my schedule and finances. My calendar begins to take shape as I plan out which games I will attend and which games I will view. I plot it out; shifting my work schedule, reworking my travel schedule until my calendar is full of all the possibilities and permutations that make up my personal hockey season. But instead of doing that, this year I am sitting in bed, watching a video that Rick Tocchet has posted. It’s an old video, from last year’s NHL Winter classic in my home town, Philadelphia. The music is slow and haunting…his narration is sparse and poetic. The video captures the feeling of pure love for the game, something I began to feel as a child watching the Broad Street Bullies in the paneled family room with my Dad.

I think back to the first time I entered a rink as a child. My new skates are tied together and slung over my right shoulder. The Flyer’s practice rink is dark. And cold and musty. No glass rises from the boards; in this era, the only protection is a long span of twisted chain link fencing. I note the rust and as I tilt my tiny head back, I can see a puck, caught high in the fencing. Even then, I imagine the force it took to shoot that puck and make it stick. I imagine my idol, the toothless Bobby Clarke-did he shoot that puck, stuck so very high in the fencing that there’s no hope of getting it down? I curl my fingers around the rusty links, peering out on to the ice, taking in the long angry scuff marks on the boards. "I like the fighting," I think to myself. There’s something about it that appeals to me; even as a kid, I would sit on the very edge of the couch, leaning forward, my little fists clenched as I cheered each blow. It seems odd now, that I could be a ballerina on Tuesdays and Dave "The Hammer" Schultz’ biggest fan on Saturdays. And when The Hammer moved into a house a few doors down from ours, I would ride my purple banana seated bike past his house hoping to get a glimpse of his hulking frame. Fall always meant hockey season as much as it meant changing leaves. So I felt it and I got it when Krys Barch tweeted his poetic fireside musings last night. It’s sad. It’s worrisome. It’s frustrating. To not have hockey and yet have Fall?

And in this worry, I think about our Coyote team. What will happen to our momentum? The momentum that was pushing us towards finally having an owner, towards claiming a team that is not the recycled Winnipeg Jets; that frozen town finally has their team. This time, this team, was going to be our own. But here we are, stuck and stalled, a place we are sick of and yet familiar with. No season, no team…"It’s looking grim," an NHL buddy says. And I am afraid to see it that way too.

Stuck in this place, I think… what if half of Canada is right? What if we didn’t deserve a team after all?

Half of Canada says that Phoenix doesn’t deserve to have the Coyotes; that we suck as fans because we whine about driving an hour to a game, that we "stole" the Jets even though it’s been like a decade and a half? Well, maybe their right. Maybe we could’ve been better fans. What if we really are going to not only lose part of this season but all of this season? What if we are losing this team for real and for good?

I think back on those ill attended Tuesday night games; the ones that might have had us playing that golf team known as the Columbus Blue Jackets… I was satisfied then to park my ass on the couch, when I should’ve gotten in my car, driven a half hour, paid for my ridiculously cheap ticket and sat my butt in a seat instead.

And all the times I didn’t participate in the fifty-fifty raffle, figuring I’d always get to it next time. Well, what if there’s no next time? If and when this season starts, I can be a better, more charitable fan.

And I’m hearing a lot of fans whining about the mass exodus of players to other leagues. Shouldn’t we love our players enough to let them go? Shouldn’t we be more concerned that OEL continues to develop his amazing talent in the AHL? All that young talent needs a chance to grow. But make no mistake; their growth in the NHL is different than in other leagues. The pace is fast and professional in the big show.

Hopefully, the Portland Pirates have already heard that they need to treat OEL like he’s Cindy Crosby. Noooo touchy. Maybe they should put him in a bubble or one of those silly Samurai suits that we use during our between period shows. Our Ollie needs to return healthy and strong. And next season, I’ll attend prospect camp. I’m sorry I put it off this summer. I won’t take it for granted…just let me have a "next" time.

Boedker left today. His stall sits empty here as he’s taken off to play for a team whose name I can’t pronounce. I’m happy for him. I want him to stay sniper strong. If we get a chance, another season, I want him sniping overtime goals and regulation goals and every type of goal he can.

And the veterans, those older players who figured they had a couple good seasons left in their tired old bones… We all witnessed the magic of the Wizard last year. And even though he’s not with MY team anymore, I was curious to see his season with Dallas. I wanted to see if, as I suspect, his magic came only from being with this team. I’m still upset that I never got to properly say good bye with a glittery sign. I never got to say, "Thanks, Ray. Thanks for all the points." Thanks for doing all that in spite of being practically ignored during All Stars selections. And I never said a proper good bye to any of the players. I just assumed I’d see them again in the Fall. If we lose this entire season, teams will have some vets quietly retire. They’ll go out in a blaze of "blah" instead of a blaze of glory. What about the vets that will be affected by the lack of discipline and conditioning if we do return? Let’s face it, we’ve got some old guys on this team. They’ll have to stay well lubed or they’ll get creaky. What will we get out of them next season if we leave them to rust? And worse, what if our team is gone for good, off to become the Seattle StarBux? If I get one more chance, I’ll cheer a little louder for the vets, I’ll stop calling them old during the games, I’ll appreciate the quiet leadership that they provide our team and our little pups.

Today a hockey great called me passionate. It was a beautiful compliment and yet he doesn’t know the half of it. I wish he could’ve seen me last week. I was talking hockey with a Canadian customer and with said passion, I decided to get down on the floor to demonstrate my favorite Smitty save from last season. You know the save; I’ve cart wheeled on my back, my legs raised just so, my head tilted back in my imaginary helmet, eyes on the puck, my left glove reaching out, the puck flying toward me, my hand reaching up, up, over, snatching, snapping, closing…I look up to see the Canadian laughing at me, he’s reaching down to help me up. As he pulls me to my feet he says, "Nice save. I never knew there were fans like you in Phoenix."

"There are," I reply, huffing a bit from my rolling glove save, "Just give us a chance."

Stuck in this place, I think… what if half of Canada is right? What if we didn’t deserve a team after all?

"There are," I reply, huffing a bit from my rolling glove save, "Just give us a chance."

Five For Howling: FanPosts

Street Hockey

Manchester Phoenix Rise from the Flames for Finals Weekend

SAD EFFORT

What Would Donnie do?

With the win over LA, is GMDM a buyer or a seller on trade deadline day?

Buyer

Seller

Keep it the same

Manchester Phoenix - Destination: Playoffs

What's it like being a hockey fan in the UK?

FFH Podcast Episode 2

Phoenix Coyotes Fan Video: Pack Pictures Needed!

FFH Podcast Episode 1

Informal Poll: Whose Hair Is Worse?

Whose hair is worse?

Coyotes Goalie Mike Smith

Coyotes Blogger Carl Pavlock

A tale of a Canadian Coyotes fan

Informal Poll: When will Jamison announce the deal?

When does he do it:

Tonight, before the Kings game

Monday, Before the Predators Game

Tuesday, sometime

Wednesday, before the Oilers game

Thursday, at the last possible moment

I'm confident he will get it done

Some other group will keep the Coyotes in AZ

I'm a horrible Canadian troll, and he won't announce it

Time for New Leaders

University of Arizona Wildcat Hockey Teddy Bear Toss *Video*!

A Collection Of Bargains

University of Arizona Wildcat Hockey Teddy Bear Toss Video!