The 2009 home opener has finally arrived. The Yotes are still in Glendale, Arizona. The game is sold out. The Coyotes will never have a better chance to make a good impression on current, former and potential fans. Tonight is a PR dream, a White Out in the Jobing.com Arena! A win tonight would be a hell of a birthday present for Captain Shane Doan (the only player left on the squad who actually has been to a white out before) and a serious reward for all the hardcore fans who have stood by this team through the darkest of days.

Its time for the team and the fans to step up for their part. GMDM made us some pretty big pledges, he’s kept his side of the bargain. The Yotes are off to a great start, sitting 2-1-0 and hoping to mark another W in the stats column. The only way to do that is:

STAY OUT OF THE PENALTY BOX! – cannot stress this enough. Bryzzie can only do so much. Continually taking away his underpinnings will be fatal to our chances. No more stupid penalties, after the whistle antics can kill!

ROCK BOLL’S WORLD IF HE EVEN LOOKS AT A COYOTES PLAYER WRONG – but make sure you take him with you to the box for just as much time as you. We have to start making the statement that we will not be trifled with. Martin Hanzal should not be enforcing anything! A team that has Jovanovski, Vandemeer, Bisionette, Doan and Pyatt has enough disciplinary members to take care of any monkey business.

FIND A WAY AROUND THE JACKETS PK. – these guys are lethal on the kill so far this season, Vest reports that the Jacket kill ratio is 90.9%! Our PP will need to capitalize. Boedker, Upshall and crewmates can draw all the penalties they want with their devastating speed, it won’t mean a thing if we can’t get that swing. Gotta take advantage when it’s presented to us.

GET HOT AND STAY HOT – we’ve had a little rest, time to turn on those after burners. Feed off the crowd, have fun, shoot early and shoot often. Mason is beatable but we’re going to have to shell him like a D day assault squadron. None of this snake bit crap, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try! TRY! again, somethings bound to go in. It is definitely time for some other folks besides Vrbata to kick in a multi goal night (JovoCop? is that you? YO! Adrian! Mueller? Mueller?)

MAKE RICK NASH INVISIBLE – the kid hasn’t made much goal noise yet but we have seen first hand what he can do. He’s already got 4 assists and is a danger every time he hits the ice. Limit his ability to move, crush his ability to make a difference and take away the backbone of the Columbus attack.

We can do this! We’re rested, we’re dangerous in all 3 zones, we’ve got the 6th man advantage and we’ve got a rejuvenated Bryzgalov in net. Let’s Go Coyotes! Get us that home opener win for the 8th season in a row!

Problems and injuries:

Sauer is still having headaches, taking away one of our key defensive weapons. Sami Lepisto is doing an admirable job. Let’s hope that continues tonight.

Prucha update: our crazy Pruuuu!!!! will be re-evaluated before game time. We really need the Czech Federation to be whole and hardy for this one but most of all we just want Pruuu! to be okay.

Taylor Pyatt is skating again but not quite ready to join the squad.

The Coyotes Coalition invites you all to tailgate party with them in Lot J before the game from 1 – 4PM (password to the parking attendants is Save the Coyotes), then the doors will be open and we can all fill the JobArena with joy. Even Eric D applauds this idea as a great idea. HKYFN will be judging the best sign competition after warmups, bring your sign down to the glass (a Doan birthday salutation, a simple welcome home, I <3 Howler) whatever you think you want the boys to know about how you feel.  And of course, the greatest game in the world will start at 6PM. There will be in game contests throughout the night, prizes given away like usual. If you couldn’t get a ticket, McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon in the Westgate City Center, they are hosting a Coyotes Opening Night Viewing Party for you, so come out to the tailgate and head over to McFaddens for the game.

See you there!

Happy Birthday Shane Doan!

As always… Go Coyotes!