Dammit, I want to scream and yell that the refs sucked and that this game should have yielded a point for us at least. But alas, the referees will always be sketchy at best and that would belittle the heroic efforts of a pretty damn good Buffalo team. We mostly lost due to our inability to stay out of penalty trouble. 2 – 1 Sabres
Story of the night was Jason ‘AZBarbie’ Labarbra. The guy was on freakin fire all night long. One game does not silence all my concerns but if he continues to play like this all season, he will have my respect and my undying love for the rest of his career. The kid was a beast! The Sabres threw crap at AZBarbie that I didn’t know was legal on the ice. He faced brutal flurries (39 shots total), screens and assorted sorties that would have screwed many top notch goalies. He had lots of help but the PK opportunities finally took their toll on his defensemen and even the best goalie can only stop so much. Great job Jason, you gave the boys a real shot at the win.
We played hard, we were fast and agile and the spirits were willing but the bodies couldn’t hold out. After losing 1/2 the Czech Federation (Prucha and Hanzal) for most of the game, life got ugly for the boys. Prucha was taken out by a ‘questionable’ dirty hit from Kaleta and could not return to the game. (I hope the NHL reviews and kicks Kaleta’s ass to the suspension curb, this hit is only questionable if you are a moron)
Hanzal immediately came to the defense of Pruu! and was assessed 19 minutes worth of penalties. 19 minutes! My god, we’ve seen guys do 10 times worse and not recieve those kinds of minutes. It was ridiculous. We could ill afford to lose such vital components to our system but to give the boys their due, they soldiered on and held the Sabres at bay until the final minutes of the game. It is a credit to the roster and to Tip’s system that no one missing part could cause a meltdown.
After taking on the Pens in their barn and shutting them down the night before, I really expected the boys to be slower and maybe not as feisty in the 2nd game of a traveling back-to-back. I was wrong, the boys came out flying and more than held their own against, the well rested and not too shabby in the speed department, Buffalo team. Lindy Ruff called it a track meet and said his boys were ready for a foot race. He was right. The wiley Sabres were ready and willing and didn’t overlook the Coyotes in any way. Credit to Ruff for being a very savvy coach, he wasn’t trying to ’save Miller for an important team’ he played all his best available because he saw something dangerous in the new Coyotes.
Tippett was understandably disappointed in our performance for the night. The boys fell back into old habits for a bit, with a few vital minutes of dump and chase (battles to get to the pucks which we lost). He pointed out that being tired was not an acceptable excuse, they need to do their jobs regardless. This kind of demand for accountability is exactly what the boys need to become all they can be.
We come home to the white out welcoming committee ( a sold out Jobing.com Arena) with 4 of 6 possible points. (More than many expected considering that we played 2 of the NHLs top competitors on this road trip) Its still a great start, its still been a fine look at what the boys can accomplish with hard work, good direction and determination.
If you haven’t been to a hockey game, didn’t know that Arizona was lucky enough to have professional hockey or just need something to do on Saturday night that will be fun and exciting, be sure to grab a ticket. The 2009 Phoenix Coyotes are hosting phenomenal seats at $15 dollars ( they are sold out but there are standing room only tickets) and there isn’t a bad seat in the Jobing.com Arena. The Phoenix Coyotes will PLAY FOR YOU!
The City of Glendale is hosting White Out Week in honor of the new season start. Be sure to check out Glendale’s schedule of happenings! Glendale Got Game, do you?
As announced by Dave Strader during the game, The Coyotes Coalition (a group of passionate and dedicated hockey fans) also invites you to come out to the pre-game tailgate party (Oct 10th from 1pm to 4pm, in parking lot J) for some hockey talk, some social networking, some fun and friendship. Everyone is welcome to celebrate the home opener with us. So grab your tickets, white outfits, your lawn chair, your grill and come out with us to help the Coyotes howl Glendale down in their season opening White Out appearance.
Hope to see you there.
As always… Go Coyotes!
