Phoenix Coyotes Hockey on AZ Vibe

Many of the Canadian media were scratching their heads the other day. They were pondering why so many people were making a big deal over the Canadian Women’s Gold Medal Winning hockey team’s post game Gold Medal celebrations on the ice of Canada Hockey Place (also known as GM Place).

It’s pretty simple.

It was one of the worst displays of sportsmanship…ever.

The Canadian Women’s hockey team Demolished, annihilated, and humiliated the majority of their competition in the tournament. This was a Canadian team that out scored their opposition 41-2 in the preliminary round of the Olympic Tournament.

Just to be clear…

The Canadian Women’s hockey team scored 41 goals in the opening round…41 goals.

This was a celebration by a Canadian team who beat up on opponents that were not even close to their talent levels. Their post game celebration was a huge slap in the face to all the other teams in the tournament. We’re talking about teams who gave their all in the name of sportsmanship only to have their faces rubbed in the dirt first by the amount of goals Team Canada scored on them then in the media with this celebration.

The Women’s team should have made their celebrations private and out of the eyes of the world media. Instead, the entire world got to see a celebration by a dominant Canadian team that fed on opponents that gave them little to no resistance on the road to a Gold Medal.

If anything, this post game celebration was the final nail in the coffin for Women’s hockey in the Olympics.

Consider this sport as good as dropped from the 2014 Olympics.

The Phoenix Coyotes have sent defenseman Anders Eriksson and forward Joel Perrault to the San Antonio Rampage, for conditioning assignments. The Coyotes also sent forward Brett MacLean back to San Antonio.

Coyotes fans were wondering if this was a pre-cursor to a potential trade as Coyotes GM Don Maloney has expressed publicly that he is looking for more depth on the defense before more scoring forward depth.

However, since the press release has stated this is a conditioning assignment, this may just be nothing more than just that. Playing a couple of games on the farm to get back into shape.

In what has to be the quickest recall/re-assign in the NHL this season, the Phoenix Coyotes Wednesday recalled goaltender Joel Gistedt from the ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers and then re-assigned him back to the Wranglers on Thursday.

The re-call was mainly to have a secondary goaltender to help the Coyotes in practice while Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov was still in the Olympics. Now that Russia has been eliminated due to incompetent coaching, Gistedt’s services were no longer needed.

USA versus Switzerland
Canada Hockey Place – Vancouver B.C.
TV: NBC 1 PM AZ Time    Radio: Don’t care

It’s time for the big games folks! The #1 Seed USA Men’s Hockey take on the surprising Swiss team in the single elimination medal round. You can also say that Team USA has been surprising as well given that this team wasn’t expected to do much in the tournament.

Team USA hasn’t let this go to their heads either as Team USA forward Chris Drury explained in a press conference Monday. According to Drury, he knows”that we’re the underdogs with our lack of experience and certainly now that the tournament takes on a whole new meaning with single elimination.”

This is a game that the US can’t look past and need to show signs of improvement today if they want to win it all. For one, they can’t keep relying on Defenseman Brian Rafalski for goal production. The forwards need to step up their offensive production quite a bit if they’re going to be considered gold medal threats.

Game Notes:

http://usahockey.cachefly.net/Media/2010Olympics/Men/SUI_022410.pdf

Well we’re almost at the end of another Olympics and the NHL practices start up again today. As there are three players still in Vancouver representing their respective countries at the Olympics, the Coyotes called up defenseman David Schlemko and forward Brett MacLean from the AHL San Antonio Rampage.

It’s unclear if they will see actual game time but they are now up with the team practicing. If Schlemko does see game time with the Coyotes, I’m curious to see if he learned from the poor defensive mistakes that caused him to be sent down in the first place.

Well the Coyotes last game before the Olympic break was a memorable one. Even though the game against the Dallas Stars was a loss.

I don’t need to tell you by now what happened in the Coyotes/Stars game when oft suspended James Neal took a run at Coyotes forward Petr Prucha and sent him to the hospital.

Here’s the video of the hit for those of you who haven’t seen it.

Most NHL teams have a policy of keeping players out of the lineup for two weeks following an injury of this sort. I don’t think I have to say that the Olympic break came at a perfect time for Prucha.

Now as a result of this sort of hit, unwritten rules state that Neal would have to pay the price for the hit. He and his teammates all paid the price for that hit for the rest of the game starting with Martin Hanzal and Neal dropping the gloves and going at it.

Here’s some more examples of the Stars paying the price for Neal’s hit on Prucha:

Shane Doan says hello to Neal:

Sami Lepisto lets Loui Errikson know what time it is:

Now as you all noted from our pre-game notes, the Dallas Stars acquired Goaltender Kari Lethonen from the Atlanta Thrashers in a move that people speculate is the precursor to Dallas Stars Goaltender Marty Turco being traded away from Dallas.

Against the Coyotes, Turco played a lot better than he has in previous efforts. However, he really wasn’t tested that much thanks mostly to the unusually stingy Dallas defense blocking shooting lanes and preventing the Phoenix Coyotes from mounting any sort of offensive zone attack.

As a result of the Stars stingy defense, Turco was rarely tested and didn’t show many signs of his old dominant self.

The game was pretty much over after the Neal hit on Prucha as the game took a different course with the Coyotes stepping up for their fallen teammate.

As far as I’m concerned, this wasn’t a loss for the Coyotes. Turco will be gone soon and the Coyotes are one of the top teams in the NHL right now.

Game Highlights:

Coach Tippett’s post game presser (courtesy of PhoenixCoyotes.com):

Post game comments from Shane Doan and Zbyenk Michalek (courtesy of PhoenixCoyotes.com):

Game Summary:

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20092010/GS020912.HTM

Event Summary:

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20092010/ES020912.HTM

Play by Play:

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20092010/PL020912.HTM

Face off stats:

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20092010/FC020912.HTM

Just catching up on post game articles…..

They’re back folks! Just when you thought the Colorado Divealanche were extinct, they showed that they are back and doing just fine!

Before we get to the return of the Colorado Divealanche and the horrible officiating in the third period, lets get back to something that Coyotes fans have been talking about leading up to this game.

The Coyotes powerplay and their inability to score.

It’s true that the Coyotes were pretty much unable to score any goals on the six power play opportunities they were given against the Divealanche. However, Coyotes fans didn’t understand that Colorado has been playing lights out on their Penalty Kill Unit:

- In the previous three games, (before this game) they were 10 for 10 on penalty kills
- They have only allowed four power play goals in their last 13 games.
- Colorado is 21-9-2 when they shut their opponents power play down.

Gotta give credit where credit is due here Coyotes fans. Colorado played lights out defense against the Coyotes.

Ok, now that I’ve got all the nice ooey gooey stuff out of the way it’s time to rip the officials a new one.

As you know, this game was a pretty damned good defensive battle. This game was billed as one of the best battles in the league before the Olympic break.

For just about two and a half periods, it was just that.

Starting at the 7:26 of the third period the referees made the first of many horrible calls in the final frame of the game. Kyle Cumiskey fooled the referees of this game not once but twice with penalties that were reminiscent of former Avalanche….er Divealanche….forward Peter Foresberg’s classic dives that drew penalties.

The first of these dives was a tripping call where Cumiskey tripped over Adrian Aucoin’s feet and launched himself in the air as Aucoin was skating away. Foresberg would have been proud.

The next penalty was at the 11:20 point of the third. Matthew Lombardi was chasing a puck in the corner of the Coyotes offensive zone and Cumiskey’s face ran into Lombardi’s elbow. Now normally there probably would have not been a call. However, Cumiskey launched his head back so quickly and violently that it looked like a snipers bullet from the rafters had hit him.

In classic Foresbergian fashion, he was ready to go immediately for the Divealanche’s ensuing power play.

Even the normally overly biased Colorado TV commentators were scratching their heads about that one.

Brandon Yip seemed to drink from the Divealanche’s Kool-aide when he grabbed Ed Jovanovski’s stick at the 18:18 point in the third period and suckered the officials into sending Jovanovski to the box for a penalty that should have been Yip’s. In addition, the referees should have put their whistles away for the majority of the third. This was a close tight battle and there should have been two teams on the ice and not three as the refs showed us all.

Finally, Martin Hanzal nailed Cumiskey into the boards near the end of the game and he was given a game misconduct for a harmless penalty as once again Cumiskey skated off the ice under his own, unassisted power.

Here’s a photo of the diver Kyle Cumiskey folks….remember it well. The next two games in this series are at the Job.

To sum up: Garbage officiating in the third led to a garbage win for the Divealanche. It’s amazing how NHL officials can be suckered so easily into calls like that.

Official Three Stars of the game:

1.) Avs F Matt Duchene 2) Avs G Craig Anderson 3) Coyotes F Martin Hanzal

Game Highlights:

Post game presser from Coach Tippett (Courtesy of PhoenixCoyotes.com):

http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/podcastplayer.htm?pid=337&iid=20282

Post game comments from Sami Lepisto (Courtesy of PhoenixCoyotes.com):

http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/podcastplayer.htm?pid=335&iid=20283

Game Summary:

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20092010/GS020904.HTM

Event Summary:

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20092010/ES020904.HTM

Play by Play:

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20092010/PL020904.HTM

Faceoff Stats:

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20092010/FC020904.HTM

The Coyotes just announced that they have re-assigned forwards Mikkel Boedker and Jeff Hoggan back to the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL.

This seems like a pretty straight forward transaction as I highly doubt the Coyotes want Hoggan and Boedker just sitting around and doing nothing during the Olympic break.

Phoenix Coyotes vs. Dallas Stars
Jobing.com Arena – Glendale, AZ
Puck Drops at 4:00 PM Arizona Time
TV: FSN AZ – RADIO: XTRA 910

Follow game analysis LIVE on our Twitter account:

http://www.twitter.com/azvibe

Last five games:
Stars: 3 – 2 – 0
Coyotes: 5 – 0 – 0
Last ten games:
Stars: 6 – 2 – 0
Coyotes: 8 – 2 – 0

The Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars meet tonight in the Fifth of six meetings between the two clubs. The Coyotes are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Colorado Divealanche (no, that’s not a typo) last night in Denver.

The Coyotes have a 3-1 series lead can win the season series with a victory tonight.

Stars are rested and have been waiting for the Coyotes. However, the Coyotes have the mental advantage after their loss last night in Denver. I have a feeling they’re going to want to make a statement after their last loss against the Stars and their loss last night against the Divealanche.

The main thing the Coyotes need to avoid is another first period meltdown like they did last night in Denver. It was like watching a Coyotes team that was already on their Olympic breaks.

Things to watch for:

- Keith Yandle – Since getting snubbed by USA Hockey for the 2010 Men’s Olympic hockey team he has been on a TEAR notching points and playing some amazing hockey.

- The Stars without Steve Ott in the Lineup – The Stars recently lost their main faceoff man, their main physical presence, and a bonified scoring threat. Its going to be interesting to see how the Stars play tonight without him in the lineup.

- Mike Ribero – In two games back from the IR he has three goals and 1 assist

Keys to the game:

Discipline – The last time these two teams met, the Coyotes were out of gas and got shelled.

Stop Mike Richards – Has been on a scoring tear as of late. This season he has tallied 11 goals and 35 assists for 46 points in the last 41 games. He currently leads all Dallas scorers with 61 points. Not someone you want to have possession of the puck.

Finish on a good note – This is the last game before the Olympic break. Make a statement.

Game Notes:

- Bryzgalov gets the start in net tonight (via the Coyotes website)

- Dallas claimed RW Brandon Segal off of the waiver wire from Los Angeles

- Acquired Goaltender Kari Lehtonen from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for D Ivan Vishnevskiy and a 4th round draft pick.

Officials:

Referees: Gord Dwyer (19), Kerry Fraser (2)

Linesmen: Darren Gibbs (66), Bryan Pancich (96)

Injuries:

Coyotes: Kurt Sauer, Scottie Upshall,
Dallas: Mike Modano, Mike Ribeiro, Brian Sutherby, Tom Wandell

Phoenix Coyotes vs. Colorado Avalanche
Pepsi Center – Denver, Colorado
Puck Drops at 7:00 PM Arizona Time
TV: Live – FSN AZ – RADIO: XTRA 910

Follow game analysis LIVE on our Twitter account:

http://www.twitter.com/azvibe

Last five games:
Avalanche: 4 – 1 – 0
Coyotes: 4 – 1 – 0
Last ten games:
Avalanche: 6 – 4 – 0
Coyotes: 8 – 2 – 0

Record when scoring first:

Coyotes: 27 – 2 – 2

Avalanche: 21 – 8 – 2

The Last time the Coyotes and Avalanche met was in the confines of the nearly empty Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado (November 4th, 2009). The game was supposed to be billed as an early season high powered match-up.  However, the Coyotes and Avalanche’s first meeting of the season was anything but that.  Just a touch over 30 seconds into the game Daniel Winnik launched a puck accidentally over the glass for a delay of game penalty. The Avs scored almost immediately (57 seconds into the game) on that ensuing power play and kept the Coyotes on their Heels for the rest of the game.

Now that it’s February and it’s the second to last game before the All-Star Break, the Coyotes and Avalanche meet for only the second time this season.  These two teams have not shown any signs of slowing down in their amazing play this season led by stellar defense and equally stellar goaltending. The Avs have won 10 of their last 14 games against some TOUGH teams in the NHL. The Coyotes are on a great run of games as well having only lost three times in their last 14 games!

It’s just amazing how many characteristics these two teams share:

- Both have new coaches
- Both had horrible records last season
- Both are legitimate contenders to win their division
- Both have 30 win goaltenders
- Both have tough defenses

….and so on….and so on…

This is yet another one of those ‘measuring stick’ games where the Coyotes (and their fans) can get a feel for where both teams are at and what needs the Coyotes may have at the Trade Deadline.

This game has the makings of a classic match-up and a potential playoff match-up as well!

Go Coyotes!

Things to watch for:

Keith Yandle – Since getting snubbed by USA Hockey for the 2010 Men’s Olympic hockey team he has been on a TEAR notching points and playing some amazing hockey.

Craig Anderson vs. Ilya Bryzgalov – Both Goaltenders have surpassed the 30 goal mark in wins for this season and have been one of the main reasons why their respective teams have done so well this season. If both teams are ‘on’. This has the makings to be one HELL of a game. (Wait….I can swear on the internet, right?)

Keys to the game:

Offense – The Coyotes forwards have to become their own scoring threat and not always rely on the defense for scoring. Players have got to start stepping up across all four lines. Depth Scoring is a MUST come playoff time. Against the Avalanche offense from the Coyotes is going to be critical. The Avs are 10 for 10 on the Penalty Kill in their last three games and have only allowed 4 PP goals in their last 13 games (three of those 4 goals allowed were in one game).

Defense must be ‘on’ tonight – As great of a story Colorado has been this season, they have only scored two power play goals (PPG) in their last eight games. The Avs don’t have a very good record if they do not score PPG’s.

Focus – There’s been reports across the league of players who are heading off to the Olympics not focusing on the NHL games they’re participating in. Many of these player’s heads are already in Vancouver. However, there’s work to be done here and the focus is right here…right now.

Game Notes:

- Bryzgalov gets the start in net tonight (via the Coyotes website)
- Coyotes will be putting the same lineup on the ice in Colorado as they did in Minnesota (via the Coyotes)

Officials:

Referees: Dan O’Rourke (#9), Brad Watson (#11)
Linesmen: Mark Pare (#79), Lonnie Cameron (#74)

Injuries:

Avs: Milan Hejduk, Matt Hendricks, David Jones, David Koci, Ryan Stoa

Coyotes: Kurt Sauer, Scottie Upshall, Joel Perrault, Paul Bissonnette (Healthy Scratch), Jeff Hoggan (Healthy Scratch), and Anders Eriksson (Healthy Scratch)