Well I know its too early to rate performances and waaay too early to start predicting how well we are going to perform for the season, but come on! you know we are all in heaven so far as the Yotes come out scrappin and yappin in 08.

We are 2 - 0 for a fantastic start. 1 home and 1 away winning game under our belt. Nerves and jitters for both rookies and vets are settling down now. KT and Bodz both grabbed their first NHL goals (Bodz with extreme patience and KT with dogged perserverance). I got a feeling Tiki and Ports won’t be far behind as both are also playing extremely well.

The vets are no slouches either as the wiley Rhino leads the Coyotes with a +4 and 3 assists but we have 6 players w/ multiple points and 12 players w/ at least 1 point under their belt. Mad Max Doan has been on and poppin anyone that takes a shot at one of his charges. What is even more exciting is seeing them so gelled, that no matter who gets a liberty taken against them… someone is watching and payback is guaranteed. From Hale to Jovo retribution is swift and as painful as the punisher can make it.

Bryz Ga Lov! Bryz Ga Lov! oh yeah the main dude in charge of the nets has only let in 3 for 64! Very nice start for our Breezy. If he can keep his concenration tight this is going to be the best start the Yotes have had in a very long time.

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It is probably unusual for a fan so far removed from another team, to mourn the passing of their rookie prospect. But thats exactly what is happening in the wake of the passing of Leshu.

I remember watching him try to keep a brave face as he dropped in the draft. I remember praying that he would drop low enough for Phoenix to grab him. I got invested, made him a nickname (the Cherub) and everything. I remember the smile that lit up the draft floor when the Rangers nabbed him. They almost made me cry, but I was happy for him anyway. When I heard the news of his passing I couldn’t believe it was true. The entire NHL family lost out on someone special. He never stepped foot onto NHL ice and yet, he will still be missed.

Alexei died of heart failure at 19. During a routine game. Nothing special happened on the ice, nothing apparently was indicated that he had anything wrong with him during the rigorous combine testing and supposedly nothing had shown up throughout his career.

A series of horrible circumstances combined with an unknown heart condition robbed us of a future, bright NHL star. I hope the KHL will take this tragedy to heart and get the arenas in its league up to snuff. Maybe it wouldn’t have saved Alexei but maybe it will save the next life.

Its difficult to lose anyone, even after a long, well lived life, but it seems to hurt more when the lost one is so young and full of promise that will never be fufilled. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and teammates.

Farewell Alexei