8 penalties? EIGHT?! Do I need to pull out my dictionary and make you go over the words discipline, control and restraint? I didn’t go over this in the keys to the game because I just assumed you knew better than to turn this into a special teams competition. Well I guess I was wrong, what part of #1 power play team shouldn’t get power play opportunities, didn’t you get?  ok, ok maybe thats a little harsh for a beginning…let’s back up a notch and take a look at the good, the not so good and the ‘other’ stuff. (I’m not going to call it bad stuff…just ‘other’)

The good -

the Korpedo! – Lauri Korpikoski (try spelling that 5 times fast!) This guy really doesn’t do things by half measure, he loves a good twofer. Turned on the afterburners and did his share with 2 goals to keep us in this one. Almost pulled an Upshall but just missed getting that 3rd goal. (yes we are going to refer to natural hatties as Upshalls until someone else gets one)

Vernon Fiddler – a shorty try, 4sogs, some hits and blocked shots plus a sweet 53% in the circles. That all counts as good in my book. 

Robert Lang – 53% on the dots, 2 assists and +1 for the night. I know I’ve been on him a lot lately but not for this game. Not bad Langer, not bad at all… even with the 2 give aways.

Peter Mueller -  +1, 1 assist and the beginnings of a mini point streak. (ok its not a ’streak’ exactly but the number of games with out a point are not as far between any more, its a start right?) Maybe its reaching but he needs a little positive encouragement after the way I’ve been riding him. He’s got the tools and he seems to be getting some confidence to use them finally, its good to see.

Also good… no highlight reel goals for either of the crazy DC Russians. whoo hoo! (really tiresome watchin that last one over and over again)

The not so good -

The Coyotes managed three shots on goal during their five power plays, but had six short-handed chances during the Capitals’ seven power plays. So should we just ask to be a man down instead of a man advantage from now on when the other team committs a penalty?

41% on the face off dots? 3/10? 4/11? Can you say puck possession fail? Not even gonna say whose stats those were but that is just ugly. Maybe we shoulda been watching a whole bunch of film on Backstrum/Steckel face offs cuz they were each 12/7. We have to get the puck before moving on to keeping it and even further forward, to doing something with it… like putting it in the net.

18 giveaways? sheesh, don’t have to say much about that do I?

The other stuff -

Z? sweetie, I know it is tough playing your side of the zone (the side that Ovie likes to backdoor goalies on). I realize you were under siege, its tough to be you under any circumstances but honey you are really gonna have to get a handle on that puck over glass thing. Gonna ignore the tripping penalty because Ovie skated over you and your stick and well, short of just giving him the lane, what could you do? Betcha if MamaZ was to look up the history on your meager penalty minutes, 75% or more would be POG…….. just sayin.

Sami? On your big triumphant return to where it all began? Hooking AND holding? You got tagged for 2 of the lazyman penalties doode. These happen when you are caught out of position or when you can’t handle your man… or both…ouch. You did have hustle and you did work hard but lets try smarter for a bit sweetie. You weren’t the only one getting outworked though, if its any consolation besides, duude you still got fans in DC! Crazy ones!

Scoring committee? Unusually MIA last night. Seemed like no one was shooting… the stats say 30 sogs but really? How many were actually sogs and how many were hail Marys thrown in the general direction of the Cap’s net? Neurosis or however you say that goalie’s name was shaky as hell at the start, no one picked up on that? Needed to keep him shook up with a decent barrage coming out of the gate. Lombo? Prucha? Aucoin? all zero sogs… sighhh.

Power play? Isn’t there any way we can decline these? Seriously? Please? didn’t we talk about this zero for PP thing before? 0 – 5 is just not acceptable… difference between taking a point out of this one and goin away empty handed.

Despite everything, this was a tight game, a close game for most of the 60 minutes. As Tippett usually says, we can be better, we have some stuff to work on. Seems like just when we get one thing straightened out, something else rears its ugly head. But we’re still #2 in the Pacific, #5 in the West and tied for 8th with PIT in the league. (It won’t take much to change those stats if we can’t pick up our road game a bit).

We’ve got another ugly game coming up on Tuesday night. The Ded Things are on the horizon in their own barn. The Joe has not always been kind to us with its funky bouncing backboards and snarky crowds. But it is definitely doable and a win there is the very thing we need to get rolling again.

In other news *******************

Yotes help Haiti “Prior to next Thursday’s game, the Coyotes players’ wives and girlfriends will hold a Dollar Drive outside Jobing.com Arena’s Gate 4 and Gate 7,  from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. During the game, the Coyotes Community Table, located outside section 115, will auction off a luxury suite for 12 people for a future home game, as well as autographed Coyotes memorabilia. In addition, Facility Merchandising, Inc. (FMI), which manages and operates the Coyotes Den Team Store, will donate 10% of its non-discounted sales from the evening to the cause.”

Yotes n friends on Twitter – Dave Strader, Scottie Upshall, Luke Lapinski and Todd Walsh have embraced the popular social networking media with Tweets on Coyotes happenings and unique information for the fans. We’re on Twitter too… sorta sporadically

I was thinking about our unemployed and under employed faithful fans when I ran across a couple of new places to look for employment. (besides the old faithfuls Jobing and Dice ), the economy picture isn’t pretty so every opportunity to help each other out is good stuff. If you have any faves or successful ones pass ‘em along we’ll try to get them out there.

http://www.us.randstad.com/

http://www.careerstallion.com/

top photo from Clyde

Lepisto love from Caps girl

As always…GO COYOTES!

OM frickin God… the storm warnings didn’t tell us a tornado named Scottie Upshall would touch down in the middle of Glendale. It wasn’t all about Scottie last night though. The whole team had wonderful performances but TheGr8Scott had the performance of his career with a natural hattie (his 1st ever)  in the 3rd period to put the icing on this cake.

THIS is incredible. Coming back like this after the slug-ugly game before? IDK if the ‘other’ Coyotes could have done it. This just may be the major difference between the old Yotes and the new ones. This newly found ability to pick ourselves up by the skate straps and find a way to win important games after a tough loss or skid.

It took about 50 games for us to even have a meltdown. That, in and of itself is a mini miracle. Then we go and pull off a rebound! Simply boggles the mind. Last season, there were meltdowns all the time and there was the post-ASG meltdown of EPIC proportions from which we just couldn’t seem to recover. (oh I know we got Uppy n Lombo and started showing signs of life again but we all know it was too little too late)

This Preds game had several key resiliancy factors to it. Our record when scoring 1st is simply incredible 23 – 2 – 2! We are a dangerous and nasty team with a small lead (its the big leads we need to work on keeping). It was good to see the boys bounce back hard. Around 10k or so insane fans battled the weather, which was horrific, to come see the kids play. They were noisy and raucus despite their chilled and soggy condition.

Biznasty – Paul Bissonnette has been having a crazy run, pure energy. Key goals, big hits and the ability to hang around for screens have been his hallmark lately. Keep it up Bizzy! He may not have the hands to put away all of his chances but he is creating buzz in the opponent’s zone nearly every shift by his tenacity and nasty.

Bryzzie – back in the saddle and rolling dirty. With the defense a little slow to get after shooters (especially in the high slot) Bryz has had his hands full. This game was no exception. Bryz made much of it look easy (the goal from that crap pass from Z to JV is not on Breezy) He’s doing his part again and that kept us in this game long enough to get the win.

Lombo combo featuring Shane Doan – sounds like a band at one of our jazz bars doesn’t it? Well any line featuring Lombardi gets major chances. The kid can really pass. If you can’t score with Lombo, you really have issues. Tippett has been swappin Doan around like a hot potato and it seems to have woken the Captain up. This line had chances all night and looked damn good doing it. Good job for remembering you ain’t just a passer Lombo, sweet goal, to give us the jumpstart we needed.

Czech your 2 points at the door, no return policy. The Czechs are still shutting off the entry through the neutral. People are expecting big points from Vrby and Pru but it is their efficiency at stealing pucks and trapping up the opponent’s big guns that make these guys so very valuable. Prucha has been a monster (he creates chances by making the other team make mistakes) he’s so wired I think he just makes the other players dizzy trying to get around him.

Gr8Scott – what can I write about Scottie’s game that other people haven’t already said? We could see Scottie gettin hotter over the last few weeks, his play without the puck has been really strong but he has been so close, so many times, we could tell his day was coming. Congratulations on the your first hattie Scottie. It was well deserved!

The gang was all in synch last night. A few faux pas here and there and the last 3 minutes we could see they were kinda easing up on the Preds. We gotta stop doing that! In this tight conference, especially against teams like the Preds, we have to learn to battle all 60 minutes. Overall though, everyone contributed to their role well. Impressed with Mueller’s game again as well as the continuing great play by Fiddy.

I love the Preds and their fans are simply awesome. Some of the most miserable hours of BK court were mitigated by the support of some bodaciously righteous Preds fans. Buddy and Mark to name just 2. I wish the Preds well in all games except against us of course. They are so much like us, from the scrappy no name team surprising everyone to the survival of the BaldSilly madness. Even their no nonsense coaching and pack style of play is similiar. On any given day we can trade spots with these guys. I hope we both make it to the ‘extra games’ in April.

In other news ***********************

I still hate MOST of the Buffalo fans in Phoenix. I hope your team sinks into a skid so horrible that they feel the effects of it for the next 100 years. Sorry Sabres, its not you, its some of your lice ridden, drunken, pond scum licking fans here in Phoenix. Yeah I went there and I am not sorry for it. While I am sure there are exceptions (hell I even know a couple, Hi Mike!) for the most part that description fits the majority of the slug apparelled jug heads present in the arena on 1/18/2010.

exhibit A – Standing drunkenly on a chair in the middle of Coyotes fans on the outside patio yelling at the top of their lungs “this is our patio now bitches” or this beauty “your team is so bad, no wonder you don’t have any effing fans”

exhibit B – Telling the Coyotes fans behind them, “your team sucks and you are all a bunch of losing effers, no wonder your team is leaving”

exhibit C – throwing their beer on a family for standing and cheering when the Coyotes finally scored… including a 2 year old girl

So, yeah, still pissed and still sorry assault with a deadly weapon wasn’t an option.

On to better news flashes **********

We had a season ticket holders event on Tuesday night. About 1k loyal and hardy souls braved the inclement weather to spend a few off ice moments with their boys. You might think the kids woulda been snarky and pissy after the Sabres debacle but you would be dead wrong. The guys had their best smiles and social chit chat for their fans. They shook hands, smiled pretty for pictures and were charming and sweet to all.

From the effervescent Doan to the shy Prucha, they were a delight to mingle with. I’m still Z’s girl but I gotta tell ya, if you haven’t spoken to Ilya Bryzgalov, you are really missing something special. (It’s not all about the funny Bryz, he’s a genuinely warm and sweet person.) My next jersey is probably going to sport the number 30 (sorry Sweets, I will get a #44 soon too)

Scottie Upshall made the NHL 3 stars list AND the NHLPA’s player of the day. How awesome is that for mad props?

Lots of interesting stories around the net on the Yotes, surprisingly, most of it informed and positive.

View from Suite 1114 – Scott Burnside of ESPN comes to visit.

Coyotes coach Dave Tippett on life in Phoenix and some words from the rest of the staff as well.

Ice Edge has been on the move lately too. No timetable is set for concluding the deal.

Next up, we face Alex O and the mad, bad and dangerous to know Caps today. We’ve fought them to a standstill lately. ( 4Ws out of the last 5 tilts) There will be nothing easy about the start of this mini road trip. The Capitals are on a 5 game winning streak behind the almost always red hot Ovie. The official preview talks about cooling those boys off. They may get Greenie, Erskine and Pothier back tonight so we better be ready. (Green has been on an offensive roll lately too)

Keys to this game?

Just say NO to the O! The always hard to play against Martin Hanzal and his Czech line will have their hands full with the crazy Russian highlight goal king. So far this line has had great success shutting down top scoring lines. This will be doubly important in this matchup. Taking Ovie out of the equation brings the Caps down to earth, where we can battle on a more even playing field.

Defense, discipline, defensive discipline? #2 is gonna have to step up his game (where forth are thou rough and ready Vandemeer?) With Jovo having to watch himself (due to the completely unfair tag of ‘repeat offender’) our number 2 hitter better get to making people’s heads swivel. The blueliners have to get the lead out, start holding the line a little better, keep their end up at the neutral zone and keep playing street sweepers for our back-on-track Bryzzie. We gotta stop lettin our netminders face so many shots every night.

Goal tending needs to be mind bending. Bryz seems to be back. He got a taste of rubber last game (stopping 41 of 43 shots). Are his head and heart back into the quest? Tonight is going to help answer that question. The Caps have been averaging around 33 shots per game, Bryzzie has been facing a lot more puck than that lately so, no softies in this joust! We just can’t afford the let down and the uncertainty that come with those.

This is definately a winnable game. We need to match intensity and physicality with the Capitals. But we will definitely have to play all 60 minutes (this team actually plays better from behind) so score first and score often. No coasting!

Wanna watch the game but don’t have the Versus option? Check out the online feed from Yahoo sports. Wanna talk to other fans during the game? TheNHLarena has a chat, as does the HFBoards group. Five for Howling will have a thread later today too. Not near a computer at 5pm? Check out your radio to listen to Heeter on Xtra 910. Ooops almost forgot… tweeples can follow game on the newly created @coyotesgameday Twitter account.

~Upshall pic from the Associated Press and Azcentral – no photographer credit shown…

As always… GO COYOTES!

Oh my Capitals, 1B team of my heart, I have neglected you woefully. I apologise for leaving you to the mercy of Lil Flower and the Kid, not mention that other guy Geno and his OT antics.

I have been watching…really I have. But due to the surprising turn of events with the 1A of my heart I have been unable to cheer you on in these humble pages. But somehow you have won through on your own. I am so proud of you guys.

Tonight’s game was a blood curdling monster. It is sooo not good for my blood pressure! But damn was it exciting. Way to go Steckel! But guy? don’t toy with your victims anymore. Take the lead and take down the black n gold with extreme prejudice.

Game 7 is going to be a hellstorm and I will be with you all the way through, I promise. I am going to ask the hockey goddess to help you thru to a thorough beat down of the Kid & Co. May Cindy and Gena’s shots be high and wide, may lil Flower’s glove  tip pucks into his own net and may Ovie, Greenie or Stecks (heck, anyone rockin the red will work) hit the Cap’s GWG in a spectacularly amazing highlight reel fashion. Ummm Varley? Doood! Let’s address your glove side issues  soon mmkay?

Sorry Pens… It is time to Rock the Red all the way to the finals. Go Caps Go!

Hooboy! Nucks killed themselves. Only US teams left in the playoffs. These post season games have held some of the most surprising games and winners ever. Upstart Blackhawks take down one of the NHL’s best. Sorry Lou. I was pullin for ya big guy.

On the Coyotes front… big news comin… maybe some early word? Remember there’s gonna be a rally on Saturday May 16th at 10 am

I’ve finally woken up out of my postseason funk. (who the hell wouldn’t after these 2nd round antics) Ducks managed to scoot past the Ded after 3 OTs (4 – 3 ANA). The Cardiac Canes are certainly living up to their moniker after spankin Boston’s bear butts (3 – 0 CAR) you go Cammie!. The Nucks found out that the Bulin wall has apparently patched up most of his holes (4 – 3 CHI). All the series are tied at 1 – 1 right now…….except the Caps VS Pens.  So in honor of my personal favorites I want to share a new glossary of hockey terms and maybe give them a lil luck to grab a bit of a lead in their series.

Ovination! – actions in which the red number 8 decimates your squad with a super slick move that makes you feel shame and embarassment… and possibly makes the Kid cry…some more.

Greenitized! – when a hawk sportin, red wearin defenseman glides into your zone innocently, mesmerizes your forwards and blasts your goalie with a slow rising wrister w/ eyes.

Varleytini- what a rookie goaltender from Russia serves you after he shuts yer asses out. It contains no alcohol yet leaves you with a hangover and a sense disbelief that you did all that embarrassing stuff the night b4.

Steckelportation – when an-impossible-to-miss, 6′ 5″ forward slips into your zone and drops his stealth shields and makes your team look like it has a bad set of Lithium crystals and Scottie is nowhere to be found.

Laichning – a type of electrical strike that only occurs when the DC team is on yer ice. Get the hell out of its way, it packs a hell of a punch and can strike more than once in the same spot.

Seminaltalality - when memories of a bongo playing Opie Taylor looking kid overwhelms your sense of danger and that ‘other’ Alex finds your goalie’s 7 hole for the GWG.

Potimon – not to be confused with any anime character. This lil monster stands between you and the best shot angles and often gives opportunities for Ovination or Steckeling to happen to you with his super blocking powers.

Fedorovitis – a disease that doesn’t strike often but when it does, it usually makes the goalie being struck very ill. Can happen in any zone and during playoff runs can kill.

Brashearing – a type of close shaving given to anyone NOT rockin the red by a really pissed off mack truck… if you manage to survive to game 6, be very careful that it doesn’t happen to you.

We hope this helps and we continue to Rock the Red… GO CAPS GO!

and as always… Go Coyotes! Still alive and ready to rock the desert in 09!

Dear Washington Capitals,

We here at the NFOT – (NHL fans of other teams who didn’t make it to the playoffs and are pinning our hopes on your sorry asses), hereby release you from all prosecutionable actions for game 5. You can proceed with all larceny, including grand theft (stealing of any available pucks),  battery (hitting, blindsiding, plain-old-knocking-into-next-week, any and everyone holding said available pucks, not rocking the red), B n E (forcibly entering the Ranger zone with intent to commit mayhem) and of course assault with intent (landing as many shots on Lundy as possible from any and all angles with the sole intention of scoring as many embarassing goals as humanly possible). If we missed any potential crimina activity that you might like to attempt, we are very good at cut n paste and can edit this immunity after the fact, so feel free to improvise as necessary.

Regardless of what you or Coach Boudreau may think about the Rangers “awesome” defensive positioning, we would like to issue you this “immunity from prosecution” letter. We understand that you have been planning w/ malice aforethought, an assault of some type (see recent transcript of planning session) and we applaud both the plan AND the execution of the dry run during game 3. The plan worked very well  and should be implemented full force, ASAP. We realize in Game 3 you pulled off a lil’ B & E, breaking and entering into the net area. Obviously you did this without the Rangers permission and must’ve been distinctly nervous about King Lundqvist calling in the police to take you away should you try to get to the front of the net and poke a rebound in ever again. This letter is to ensure you that you will not get prosecuted if you refuse the Rangers detour to the outside and instead decide to revisit this “dangerous” area known as the crease.

We here at NFOT will do everything we can to prevent retaliation from the brigades of NYR fanatics who will undoubtedly try to invade the Verizon Center and prevent you from stealing another win from their King. We will even return Greenie from the Witness Protection Program (he mistakenly entered it too early and disappeared during this series) but will hopefully be returned to you pronto. *it should be noted for future needs that our program is very effective – exhibit A… it looks like someone named Mike Green is on the ice, but it is appearant to all, that it is not the same person who scored 31 goals this season* We regret that Greenie or Mr. Smith as he is known in the program, was spirited away prematurely. (we believe some NYR fan activated his disappearance in order to create chaos and give those sorry bastages a chance at winning).

Sooo, Mr. Ovechkin, please take this letter into the lockeroom with you and translate it for Mr. Semin and Czarlamov so that they will understand that they are safe from any repercussions  and can get busy whuppin some Ranger azz… err I mean so that you can all proceed with the Plan as outlined by Mr. Laich and yourself and we can all see as you promised. Mr. Smith should be replaced by Mr. Green by the time this immunity letter reaches you and should also be present during this translation session. You may not see us but rest assured we are out there, watching, waiting and doing our part. Carry on.

Sincerely,

Your No Longer Silent Supporters at NFOT

Psssst! Pssst! (we’re getting a forum!) grand opening tommorow… whoo hooo!

I’ve been a hockey fan for over 17 years. I’ve  never been called a puck bunny (to my knowledge) so I guess I just don’t get the whole affronted female fan thing.

I’m a fan and I’m female, big whoop. I don’t need a pink jersey, pink hat, a purse w/ my team’s logo on it ( I did fork over some bucks for the logo’d porch rug though and my car is soon to be adorned with Z4dfense plates) but none of that pink shit for this fan, not because its girly or insulting… I look like shit in pink, thank you for offering though. I understand the pink crap sells pretty well and the league does need to make money.

The Caps are offering an all female site called Scarlet Caps. YAY! Go Caps. But apparently not everyone is happy nor amused by the new site. Some say its sexist and insulting, well hell so is Don Imus and he’s still around. Some say it promotes the game wrong, like sex isn’t used to sell everything except baby wipes these days.

Is the new Caps site insulting? Not to me personally but I can understand that there may be some vitriol if its not done right. Explaining the game in basic language, terminology, slang can be a good thing. But then again, what hetro female in the world doesn’t like some eye candy? Hell, men have been appreciatin eye candy for centuries, I don’t object to having a site that doesn’t mind a lil drool, just don’t go overboard. Make sure we get the stats, the previews, announcements and the discussion board access as well as the fluff. Oh and Ted? Subtlety on the pics n backgrounds should be the watchword here big guy. Be sure that the design and content help sell the game as well as the names.

Is it neccessary? Maybe so, there are a lot of female fans out there that want to understand the game better without appearing stupid to the male fans in their lives, that want to interact with other fans that have interests beyond the stats and want to develop some relationships with other women who enjoy the sport but have more to give than just hockey. Thats just how women roll. We incorporate all the pieces of our lives together when we can.

Will it catch on with other teams? Damn I hope so. Most of the season ticket holding fans I hang with are women. Most admit to not knowing much beyond loving the game. The pace, the goals, the hits and oh hell yeah, these gals really get behind the fights. I often think they are more blood thirsty than my male fan friends (except Jimmy, no one is more blood thirsty than Jim). But having another venue/outlet to learn, discuss and access the game and the players can only be a good thing.

Team official sites created for female fans acknowledges that we are here to stay and that we are a force to be recognized. I like that. We have been complaining for years about a lack of official cred. Instead of bitchin about it we should embrace it and help make it work for us. We have enough voices out here in the blogoshpere to be heard and to be counted. So make that work for us, contribute constructive criticism don’t just condemn the whole concept out of hand.

The Caps site is still evolving, hopefully it will eventually have a look and feel that works well for the hardcore and the novice female fans… they should probably throttle back on the eye candy parts though… not sayin completely, cuz I admit that even I like to drool occasionally.

Be sure to read the great comments as well as the insightful posts themselves.

HLOG

Wrap Around n Curl

Puck Huffers (scroll down, its in there somewhere to the middle)

BarryMelrose Rocks

Beware the highs….beware the lows…words to live by as a Coyotes, fan or player. Easier said than done right? But honestly, did you expect the youngest team in the league to come in and actually win this game? Jeeze and I thought I was the biggest abuser of Coyotes Koolaide ever… apparently there are fans elsewhere that imbibe more than even me. C’mon peeps, the Flames have owned us for oooh, around 11 straight games (since 2005) I think we won like 1 of those matchups. As C13 so succinctly put it… we have a long term contract to be the Flamer’s bitch and apparently that contract has not yet expired.

I would love to do a good, bad and ugly run at this baby but truly… it was ugly, putrid then fugly so I am not going to go there. We got a lil too high after sliding past a sleeping Ovechkin, and a big win high is much like any other hangover… it hurts the next day.

Just a few thoughts in the aftermath of the last few games…

Why is Mueller not moving his feet? Is there still a problem with the hip?

Why is Ollie Jokinen not the point man on the PP? Didn’t he sit around 2nd highest in PP points from that spot on the Panthers?

I know every fan in Coyotes Country wanted to see the BIG LINE…aka Doan, Jokinen, Mueller but honestly…its not working, soooo… how bout creating a lil chemistry by keeping at least 2/3s of the 1a and 1b lines together?

Bodz and Joker – (insert random wing here when the urge to shake thiings up gets too intense) add Carcillo/Lisin/Fridge as needed or until one of them clicks… Bodz and Joker seem to get each other just fine. Adding/rotating the other LWs can give extra speed (Lisin) or extra nasty (Fridge) or both (Carci)depending on who the opponent is.

Doan and Mules – (insert random wing here whenever the juggle bug cranks your tractor) add KT or Rhino or Porter as needed or until one of them clicks. We damn well know that Mules practically goes into overdrive when he plays a lot w/ Doaner, why not let that relationship develop further. Slip KT into this line occasionally so he can get the feel of making plays for players who could possibly “get” what he’s trying to set up.

Winni/Tiki/Handzi – LEAVE THIS LINE ALONE! or retire because fixing shit that ain’t broke is asinine and will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you need to be playin golf at a retirement home rather than being behind a bench. Winni is still competing for the nickname Beast (and starting to look like one with all that facial hair. Tiki is sooo close to that first NHL he can almost taste it. And Hanzal… well just damn the boy can sure center a shut down line.

4th line – (we have a 4th line?) oh yeah KT and the irregulars…when KT is stuck back here give him 1 babysitter not 2… talk about overkill and a waste of a learning experience… at least give the boy 1 wing who can actually play hockey.

NEVER! EVER! Play DHL on the PP… for the love of hockey… the guy is very nice… he tries really hard every shift… but why is a guy (handpicked guy even, the worst player on the team? There was a lot of defensive talent available during the offseason and we gambled on Hale) ummm guys? know when to hold ‘em… know when to fold ‘em. Can’t wait til Jlov get off the IR…not sayin he’s the savior of the blueline or anything but sheesh… gotta be better than this.

EDIT**** Yotes pick up Ken Klee off waivers… while not a definitive upgrade… if Klee can be a little more mistake free and keep Yandle on his current course… I will declare him a success… until Jlov comes back and knocks our collective socks off or something else drops into our laps via GMDM’s uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=389088

Despite the weird tire blow in this game…DMo is usually one of the most reliable defensemen in the game. Give him and that big slapper a lil more time on the PP. Especially right now while Jovo isn’t quite up to par. Apparently Jovo has transferred Doaner’s slow start to his side of the fence. He’ll be back… hopefully some time in the next couple of games. He’s shootin that big shot, but Theodore and Kipper really had some serious forcefields up. Its comin, I can feel another career high points, just waiting for the healthy Jovocop… and if we can get some more defense out of him too… well that would be a bonus.

Doan, Jokinen, Jovanovski, Morris, Reinprecht…Between them, they have enough experience and talent to make this team a real threat. Most of them are lagging on the Goal front. Take a look at the total goals for the team…its all about the kids. The veterans need to step up and make their presence felt. Hey guys! The kids don’t need their hands held, they just need their asses covered… their feet have gotten wet, they are doin better than you. Its time to start treating them like NHLers, pass to them, set them up, expect things from them like you would any other team mate. These kids are smart and talented… time to act like you know it too.

Intensity? Screw ‘matching‘ anybody’s intensity. Bring your OWN intensity to every game… as high a level as you can get to and maintain… every stinkin game! The minute your skates touch the ice, your intention should be to knock the hell out of your opponent each and every time they touch YOUR puck along the boards. YOUR PUCK! Every player should play like that lil rubber disk belongs to them and they should rain pain and destruction down on anyone trying to take it… hell on anyone even trying to get to it.

BIG PROPS! to Keith ‘my balls are so big they clank when I skate’ Yandle… yeah it hurt to say that… but the lil guy was everywhere. In Phaneuf’s face, shootin, corrallin loose pucks, name it and Yandle was tryin to do it. Yeah he had the one big brain fart in front of Telly but he actually dived out and knocked the puck away b4 any damage was done. You Go Boy! Best game Yandle has had so far.

So where was the rest of the team when Yandle got pushed into the goal posts in the third period? Vandemeer shoved Yandle to the ice after the whistle and when he got up it was to Phaneuf in his face talkin beaucoup merde. And did anyone on the team step up? ummm that would be a resounding NO! How do we not respond in his defense? How does TGO not send Doan, MacG, Fridge and every other Yote that can kick an ass out on the next shift Phaneuf/Vandemeer are on and send them a message of our own.

But despite the fact that our 5th Dman was in the top 3 players for our team and the fact that we got manhandled, outplayed and then we pretty much just quit… Telly showed a brilliancy that bodes well for when we get our shite together. Thats 2 games in which the Swedish Wolf came up big and gave us the chance to play. Big props to Telly too!

So our patience is required again for 2008… this time to give our youth a chance to get acclimated… and our vets to get their poop in a group. But we started better than we have in years, there’s more than a little promise hitting the ice in our uniforms this season and we’ll just have to hang on while everything gets to gellin. Its only 7 games, we’re sittin 1 below .500, our back up goalie is on fire, our kids are taking to the game like fish to water. We can do this… the pieces are there.

Lets Go Coyotes!