Rough, rough road trip. I really don’t know where to start on this one.

The boys left here on a 6 goal high. Bryzzie subbed in for Telly and didn’t let in a single goal so his confidence shoulda been at least in the chill zone if not high. We were a game over .500 again and had won 4 of our last 5. So what happened?

In St. Louis we were overconfident and didn’t play the whole 60 minutes. We got started on a seriously physical note. We didn’t sustain it though. We let the Blues stay with us. Then we let them get ahead of us (okay flukey goal off the D but it counted as the GWG).We never turned on any serious heat until the last desperation 2 minutes of the third. We lost. I can”t say it was a horrible game, but it was definitely winnable and we let it slide right through our gloves.

We went into Chicago already broken. IDK what happened. We hit the ice already broken. This wasn’t some kind of meltdown, it wasn’t a total goalie issue either. NOBODY came to play a game at all, much less a 60 minute game. Carcillo tried to set the tone early with extreme predjudice. The first shot Bryzzie stopped told the tale of how confident he was feeling (he stopped the puck but started looking behind him in uncertainty). The first goal was not pretty… the second goal was on the team mostly…after that its a tossup of who looked worse the goalie or the team. By the time the 4th goal went in I was hoarse from yellin at the screen for Telly to be put in. Then Panger and Heeter casually threw out this lil gem…(wait for it… its ugly) … Goalie Mikael Tellqvist has a bruised foot, he won’t be subbin in… So did we just go out on the road with a single, mentally unbalanced goalie? We couldn’t have one of the SA kids come meet us in CHI, just in case what happened, happened? Color me stupid and put a bow on my head…Highlight of game? Enver ‘Feivel’ Lisin. Enver was sooo NOT leavin Chicago on a goose egg. David Hale was the only defenseman NOT a minus… fairly pitiful as highlights go ain’t it?

There were more fights and jawing than any real playing going on from our side (please… dont anyone bring up … ‘if McGrattan had been on the ice’, or I may have to resort to some violence of my own). JeebusMerryandJehosophat DC FOUGHT! JOVO FOUGHT! HALE FOUGHT! KT FOUGHT! was there anyone who didn’t fight? and guess what? we still lost … 7 - 1 …

Everyone sucked. Even my beloved Z had a horrid game. I’m going to stop right there… no use in beating a dead horse unless you just want tired arms. Sooo… we sucked in these first 2 road games… yeah we did… but what happens now? How we play Dallas lets us know if this team can bounce back or not. If this team is a collection of guys on skates or an NHL team. I’m not neccessarily talkin about a win in Dallas either… but we better tighten the straps on the hard hats, step into some steel toed boots and bring the work ethic back.

We get the Joker back on Wednesday. There will be a bit of a shake up. Who rides the pine? Who stays in? I don’t know what its going to take for Breeze to get his act together, he’s gotta be feelin like shit, but he has to get his head right. Telly said it best, 21 guys, all have to play their best, all 60 minutes, thats how we win.

We haven’t had a horrible run. This was just one game out of 82. How we choose to respond both Wednesday AND the next time we face the Hawks is the real story. Until we are mathematically eliminated from a playoff berth I consider us contenders. So let’s ALL pull up our socks, put this one behind us (not forgettin it) just learn and move forward. It’s hockey people, not life or death. We play again on Wednesday and hopefully we can take our disappointments out on the Stars.

Last word on the Chicago game…if Versteeg doesn’t get a minimum of 1 game suspension the NHL should declare its rules a joke and disband. 2 game misconducts and an instigator at 19:58…automatic suspension

I really gotta get my ‘What a Lil Bitch’ list back up and running so I can add Sopel and Versteeg to it.

Do NOT underestimate the Blues. Despite the fact that we have beaten them already (both last season *the whole series* and once in 08) these boys are no joke. Led by Keith Tkachuk who will be celebrating his 1000th point before the game, the former Jet/Yote is one tough competitor and has 8 PP goals so far this season. Injuries often allow role players to step into the limelight and shine. Andy Mac and Paul Kariya are both MIA but the Blues are still producing (5-5-2 at home) 4th PP and 7th PK and 5-3-2 in their last 10… An emotional award ceremony, role player over achievements + over confidence against these guys could result in sever burn marks on our asses and egg on our faces.

BUT…St. Louis (10-11-3) will enter the game less than 24 hours after losing to Calgary 4-3 in overtime on home ice. This is should be good news for the visiting Yotes, who roll into StLou fresh off a set of crazy wins. #1 goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov apparently rebooted and high in confidence from his return to net on Thurs against the Leafs. Martin Hanzal and Steven Reinprecht have suddenly discovered the formula for multiple goals and the team has developed a meagre killer instinct. All of these elements will be crucial to getting a sweet 2 points in St. Louie.

Odie and I laughed our butts off last night about a Blue’s Clues GDT… as always our 2 brains are warped and hilarious…especially late at night (and Onyx on drugs) so go check him out, it is a really sweet GDT.

GO YOTES!

Well I guess that’s why they call them the Blues. The St. Louis team is on a downward spiral assisted by the broom wielding Bryzgalov. Coyotes with the series sweeping end score 2 - 1! The Yotes take home an ugly 2 points with Breezy stealing the game after the Yote’s PP grubs up a lead.

We didn’t draw first blood but by gum we drew next and last. All the scoring was done and over in the first period. The Blues refused to quit all game long (them boys don’t care how many points they are in back of this race, they came to play). Gotta admire their gumption as they shelled Breezy from every and any direction they could. The Bryz! shut down 15 of 16 sogs in the first period alone, giving his boys a chance to get it together.

One of the many Johnson’s scored the first goal of the night giving the Blues some much needed energy 1- 0 Blues but the Yotes got lucky with a 5 on 3. They answered quickly on the big boom of PP monster Jovo’s canon to tie it up. 1 - 1 game. With a minute still left in the following 5 on 4 the Mighty Finn tipped in Yandle’s shot to make it 2 - 1 Yotes. That would pretty much settle the series despite the Blues continuing to throw everything they had at the big Russian.

The second period got a bit ugly with penalties flying everywhere and players getting chippy and dirty in every collision. The Blues outshoot us again 14 - 8 but they were no match for Breezy’s force field. We miss fire on 3 PPs but our PK was workin overtime as the Blues got creative and desperate during the single penalty we accrued (TQ! dammitt watch your stick!) Bally and Jackman tussled a lot and ended up sitting together in the sinbin for roughin each other up.

The intensity ratched waaay up as both teams settled down to play puck rather than chuck nucks (only 1 penalty in the 3rd). We held our own in the third as far as sogs (11 - 12) but the Blue’s shots that were managing to get through to Breezy were quality and the big guy just stifled eveything. It helped that he could see everything incoming (the defense and forechecking kept the Blues pretty limited to the outside all night).

Michalek had another stunning night. I still think Yandle needs to watch a few games. Kapi is so very underrated (that kid works so very hard every game). DMo keeps scaring us to death with these close to the eye injuries. Donor had several chances but just couldn’t take the shots ( no more fighting Captain Clutch, we need that big shot of yours). Hossa looked real good including another post ringer and Jovo has been playing like hell on fire w/ hardly any blue line miscalculations to mar his offensive prowess. Go Carci go! awesome disciplined play by the resident wild child.

The lines were still funky but seemed to be a bit more stable with some defense and scoring balance on all 4 lines tonight. I hope TGO finds what he’s looking for soon. My heart can’t take it.

A great night. A beautiful win. Clinging to our place in the playoff hunt with a tenacity that has been missing in the desert for a long time. Thanks for the birthday win Yoties! Watched the game at K O’Donnell’s in Scottsdale w/ TQutie and Teal (sorry you missed us Time4) and thank you to all who wished me happy bday.

GO COYOTES!

onyxstarr@coyoteshipcheck.com

Hot damn sam! Bryz! gave St.Louis a taste of the Russian blues. Back to form and seriously on guard duty, our big dawg shut the door, locked it and threw away the key in this game. 35 sogs, playing without a stick, playing snow angel and just plain playing out of his mind for the shutout win. Simply stunning performance.

Michalek! Joined the big Russian with another stellar job. I’m not just talking about THE GOAl. The kid played a fantastic game all night. Keeping pucks in at the blue, giving great outlet passes and pinching, cycling and blocking 6 shots (one that hurt so bad I felt it from my seat). Probably his best game all year.

York… yeah I said York. Had a fantastic game as well. I have never seen that boy move so well. Beating Blues to pucks (actually outraced a couple of them). Had a hit or 2 and actually stole some pucks! I think he surprised himslef as much as he surprised me. If he played like this all year we wouldn’t be doggin him so much. I don’t expect it to last but it sure was a big factor in this win.

Rhino! Once again stepping up and being a major player with assists on both goals. Gaining us some puck possession time with key face off wins (58% on the dots) and proving his worth in more than veteran leadership.

Can Weller get his identity back? The kid seems lost right now. After his bout with OKT the gritty forward seems to have forgotten that he and Dwin are a HUGE set of bodies that are a very hard tandem to knock around. Maybe his lil stint in the press box will remind him? If in doubt Wellie, stand in front of their goalie. Thats always a good place to be and you could find a great identity as the garbage man. Everyone loves the garbage man in hockey.

I think the team has found a way to contain the wild child. Everytime there looked to be a scrum in the corner or behind the net, containing Carcillo, the team jumped in and packed up tight, preventing blows from being thrown. About 3 or 4 times I saw this strategy come into play, kept Carcillo from getting singled out thats for sure. I liked what I saw no stupid penalties even though Yandle and Boynton got a whole lotta ‘extra’ fists and elbows for their simple interference/roughing penalties in the first period (looked like WWF raw out there for a minute).

Hanzal is holding up more than well since his return. That kid plays a huge defensive game and can transition so smoothly he can bring a tear to the eye. Just gotta love the big lug. And that Joel Perrault keeps surprising us with insurance goals and decent play. Starting to really like this kid alot.

Thank you TGO for putting the line combos back together. When Bryz! is workin his magic it only takes a single goal to get the job done, so don’t juggle anymore please. It hurts when you juggle. Even though the PP didn’t net anything it was really exciting to see the patience and confidence the boys were exhibiting out there. No wasted shots and some quality chances generated. Gives me hope that future PPs could steal us some points down the road.

Poor Blues, not a very good road trip for them with 4 losses. We get to play them again on Thursday. Now that Bryzzie has finally figured out the right notes to hit I am looking forward to that road game as well. It’s Onyx’s birthday on Thursday boys and she’d really like 2 regualtion points for her prezzie.

We meet up in ChiTown tomorrow. They’ve done a little shifting, lets take advantage and give them a couple of swats. Its time to go into a winning frenzy buckos. Have fun out there and bring us home 4 road points!

Let’s Go Coyotes!

~photos from BTinAZ~ when she gets back home from her trip

onyxstarr@coyoteshipcheck.com

Epic battle begins today.The Blues have been no slouch lately. Despite sliding a bit behind us in the race for 8th, the Blues are holding steady… pacing themselves right behind us at a respectable 66 points and #12 position.Although we are 7 of 8 against these guys this season (including preseason) don’t make the mistake of thinking this will be an easy 2 points. Boyes, Kariya and AndyMac are racking up points and Legace (although shaky in his last outing and having his traditional Coyote woes) is no slouch between the pipes. The Blues are getting some interesting secondary scoring from Perron, Walker, Stempniak and Jackman. They have lost the last 2 contest on this road trip to the Ducks and Kings and much like us, seem to do well against the big opponents and squeak a point or lose to the teams they should beat with authority.

Wake up snipers! Its time to put the hard hats on and take care of business from here on out. This is the stretch guys…in case you didn’t notice. Men become boys or learn to play golf w/ the old men early. So put away the PS3s and get your tookis’ in gear my babies. It’s clobberin time! Shell early, shell often and let’s get our eyes back on the prize please.Go Dawgs! Go get us 2 points!onyxstarr@coyoteshipcheck.com
 

Sorry to be so late with this but between being sick (stupid cold), starting school again and a radio feed only game…well … I just didn’t have much energy left.

The game - hmmm why does all the good stuff happen when we can’t see it? And where the hell are all the highlights and Youtube clips?

Carcillo starts this game mad, bad and dangerous to know. 5 seconds into the game and right off the face off Carci drops gloves w/ Jamal Mayers. Sounded like a good one with Carcillo getting the best of the rumble. The rest of the period was a game of pong, neither side getting many sogs (only 12 total shots on the 20 minutes).

The second period wasn’t much better. Although the Blues would outshoot us by about 50%, Telly pretty much slammed the door on everything the Blues could muster up.

The 3rd period everybody got desperate. Boyes (who has pretty much been the Blues hot stick so far this season) scored on a nice theft from Jonesy by K’thunk to Karyia who slipped it to Boyes on a nice backhand. I pretty much thought the game was over at that point (since we are supposed to be a 1 point team) but I completely forgot Freddie was back in the line up after being on the bench! Once again our secondary came to the rescue. My boy Z fed Ziggy (what has been described as THE perfect outlet pass) and the crazy lil center split the Blues defense and nailed Lagace for the goal 1 - 1 game with less than 8 minutes to play. Less than 5 minutes later our hot Swede would pull a Madonna (Sjo says he was just trying to cause a commotion) but the prayer he threw up snuck past Legace putting the Dawgs on top 2 - 1. (”It was a bad goal,” Legace said. “He got lucky. It cost us the game. This was probably the toughest loss so far.“) sorry Manny, sometimes lucky is better than good. The boys never gave up, protecting the lead like lil rat terriers.

Ok here is where I plead guilty… I fell asleep for most of the second and part of the third period… mea culpa…Hey! I told ya I was sick (you know I woulda never missed a second of it on TV or live!) So I missed what surely had to be the two  highlights… TELLY! stacking the pads on Stempniak’s breakaway! and Jovo taking on Backes in his first fight of the season. Dunno what started it cuz none of the recaps or blogs really give a good account but awfully glad to see my JV prediction coming true. The guy has been playing the game like he’s lovin it again. Once he starts scoring I expect all the JV hateration to stop for good. (ok I don’t really expect that to happen but I am slowly becoming a fan of the big guy… gotta give credit where it’s due, especially when I do not hesitate to give him shite for his bad crap) So we win again on the road… maybe WG really will make the guys stay in a hotel on Saurday?

 Nice photos in the Blues gallery: http://blues.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=MediaGalleryBrowser&type=1

Looking forward to tonights game against Dallas (ughh radio only again…stoopid Versus windows. Wouldn’t be so bad if the ugly V channel was showin the game…I’da paid my 5 bucks to Cox and been happy about it. But we get blacked out locally AND the Putz channel shows a different game anyway!)

On to the other stuff… Apparently Buttman has decided to stop tormenting Toc (and Wayne). The big man will be back behind the bench in time for the Feb 7th game…if he complies with all the rules. Submission of his psyche to the shrinks to ferret out any possiblitiy of a gambling addiction and NO gambling, legal or illegal. Hopefully no more brain farts (like the world series of poker?) from Toc.

Gratton is back. He was a healthy scratch since he hasn’t had time to really get in any time on the big club yet, along with Weller for this game. Now that we have two spots on the press pine I have to wonder when York will get his share of splinters? Mules, Wellie and Sjo have come out scrappin after a stint up high… maybe York needs a refresher course next?

~photos - Ap/Coyotes~