True Coyote Love

YAWN

2009-04-29T14:54:00.002-06:00

"Guess what? The coyotes, im not saying they are not bad team. But they will always and forever be OUR team the fucking WINNIPEG JETS. The only reason you fucking have a team now is because of the people who gave you our team. The Jets ruled hockey and had the biggest fans out there. So if your so mad that Winnipeggers keep complaining on how the coyotes suck? How but YOU let it go. The Winnipeg Jets will always forvery be our team. So have your pride in your team.. and we will have our pride in our Jets"

Yawn. The fact is that you don't have a team anymore. The Jets don't exist. You can hang on to your memory as hard as you like, they ain't coming back. But it was fun while it lasted.

It's all well and good to say you were robbed as fans, I'd probably be thinking that way as well if I was a Jets fan. However, the team was bought and paid for.

Let's look at it this way - you go to the Apple store and buy yourself a Mac. Once you have paid for it, the Mac store no longer owns it correct? I will agree that this analogy works in your favor as well (in the sense of, even if you call it a PC, it's still a Mac) but the simple fact remains that once it's your Mac, it's yours. Its past lives no longer matter.

Sorry you no longer have a team but that's business. It is what it is.

Oh God

2008-12-02T21:20:00.002-07:00

Who are these mystery people that still visit this dead blog?? It's been forgotten for a while (and I'm sorry about that - getting you all hooked on a blog and then yanking it out from under you) and it's still getting 50+ hits a day. That's just ridiculous. Who has time for that?

But thank you, I appreciate that you check on me. I know it can't possibly be my team that you care about so I am choosing to believe you are really just wondering what I am up to.

Uh.. I've been a bit separated from everything hockey-related for a while. I'm not sure when it's going to become a priority again so the posts here are going to stay few and far between for the time being. There's just no time.

Regardless, I read this tonight and I threw up a little in my mouth at my own reaction. I was actually on Avery's side. Now, that's something that you'll probably never hear me say again, you may want to make a note of it now.

Don't worry, I'll wait.

I mean, really... getting suspended at all much less suspended indefinitely is ridiculous. So ridiculous, in fact, that I just misspelled ridiculous. That's saying something.

Since when can we not talk? I mean, the guy has a made an entire career out of talking shit... now he says one mean thing about some trashy actress/ex-girlfriend and it's like the world is going to end? BFD. He didn't get a slap on the wrist (maybe a sore jaw from Doaner) for punching my captain in the head after the final buzzer a couple years ago (yes, I do hold a damn grudge, thankyouverymuch) but now he runs his famous mouth and gets suspended?? Come on NHL, come on Bettman... don't be an asshole.

Besides, Elisha is totally not worth a suspension. No offense Dion.

Tiki Blogs!!

2008-10-08T16:04:00.003-06:00

He blogs like I do... rarely. Heh.

However, I always love to see our children doing ANYTHING outside of the rink. I love when Kyle blogs on the Coyotes website, I love when Doan and/or Carcillo do radio shows. It just tickles my fancy. Now to add another notch to my ~~bedpost~~ blogroll! I totally meant blogroll! Viktor Tikhonov blogs for The Hockey News.

Enjoy!

Thanks Ann for the heads up!!

I Called It

2008-09-30T17:57:00.005-06:00

Let me just throw this out there - I. Called. This. Shit!

I'm sitting at the rookie games and I'm like, "Hey Mo. Didn't Tjarnqvist sign in Europe or something?"

"No."

"Are you sure? 'Cause I swear I read that he had signed in Sweden or something."

"No. He did an article that said he was coming to camp to try and win his spot."

Well... IN YOUR FACE! Number 17... Mathias Tjarnqvist. I shall take my bows now. Heh. Hey, it's not often I get something right, I have to take the opportunity to gloat whilst I can.

For the record, he looks like a damn stock car with all those ads on his jersey. They almost detract from the fact that he's wearing a big, shiny 'A' on his chest. Almost. But not quite.

It was fun while it lasted Tjarny. But I called this shit. Look through my archives. Somewhere back there I was like, "No way does he come back." It's true. I said that. Bam! See? Damn, I'm good.

Okay, gloating complete. I shall now fall back into the cracks and leave the reporting to the REAL bloggers. Heh. Enjoy your day.

I'm So Flattered

2008-09-30T15:20:00.003-06:00

According to my analytics, you shitheads are still flocking here in droves, DROVES!, even though I've neglected you for so long. I truly appreciate it. Because at some point (hopefully starting yesterday) I am going to get back in my groove and then you'll be SO glad that you stuck with me through this crazy ass summer. Or not. Heh.

So, anyway, I was texting a friend of mine during the game last night (the one where we finally won. Yes, that one) and she's all "WTF. Who's winning??" She is lacking in the internets at the moment. It makes her a bit crazy. Heh. I, however, was in the midst of my Monday night session which includes a large helping of One Tree Hill served with a side of Gossip Girl. I don't have to tell you (or maybe I do) that this means there was no such thing as hockey in my world at that particular moment in time.

So I quickly opened my browser to find out what was going on. We were losing. As has been usual for my poor kidlets these last [all of their] games. I said as much. Then I had to eat my words because Mueller scored, twice, and Boedker proved his worth with a goal of his own. Muells rounded that sucker out with the hattie and Bods tried to give us a hattie of his own by scoring a second goal. Was anyone else even on the ice last night?

Ahh, no matter. The Coyotes win 5-1. Which was awesome because it was the first win this season (not counting the rookie game). I figured (and told my friend as much) that the babies just got sick of losing. They wanted to at least get ONE win in. It may turn around tonight when we play the Sharks again (I still hate these back-to-back games) at the HP pavilion. I hope it gets ugly... those are my favorite games.

The game's at 7:30 tonight (Xtra Sports 910), tune in and cheer. They can't hear you but it'll make you feel better, like you're helping in some way - promise!

Oh and Ziggy's playing. Holla!

You Are The Weakest Link - Goodbye

2008-09-30T03:07:00.002-06:00

I probably should have been keeping up on this who's who of the Coyote world, but I haven't... lately you can't have been expecting me to. My blog and I are a mix of hot mess, but we're working on it. We're busy with other interests at the moment. Like, you know, sleeping. Whatever. I digress.

I'm going to try and do this by memory, but I can't guarantee that I won't fuck something up. If you want true news, go to the Coyotes website. This is all about opinions (some that don't make a whole lot of sense) and my own sick sense of humor. You keep coming back, though, because deep down you're all masochists and you secretly like to watch me butcher the English language and my hockey team (and yours too, most likely). Let's move along, shall we?

So far, during these wonderful days of training camp (of which I've been apart of none times) we've lost a couple goalies: Josh Tordjman and Joel Gistedt. We've lost some forwards: Jeff Hoggan, Adam Keefe, Derek Nesbitt, Simon Ferguson, Steven Goertzen, Chad Kolarik, Francis Lessard, Brett Maclean, Adam Perry, David Spina and Daine Todd and we've lost some defensemen: Logan Stephenson, Drew Fata, Dylan Reese, David Schlemko, Sean Sullivan and Sean Zimmerman. All of them have been sent to San Antonio where they'll face this same process again - some will be plucked out and kicked to the proverbial curb. Some will play in San Antonio and some will make their way back up here later in the year to play for the 'Yotes.

We've also lost Michael Stone, Mathieu Brodeur, Nick Ross, Jared [the other] Staal, Tyler Johnson, Colin Long & Kurtis Mucha to their respective junior clubs. Have no fear fans, we'll be seeing them again... just not right now.

According to my calculations (and since I'm a cheater, the updated roster on PhoenixCoyotes.com) this means we're still carrying three goalies in Bryz, Telly and Al Montoya. My money is on Montoya being sent down next. We played the whole 3-headed-goalie-monster last year, it didn't really work for us.

We're also keeping a firm grip on Keith Yandle, Zbynek Michalek (because there was always a chance he wouldn't play... *insert my over-the-top eye-rolling here*), Matt Jones, David Hale, Jonas Ahnelov, Kurt Sauer, Derek Morris, Ed Jovanovski and Ryan Lannon. I'm making no predictions here. Mostly because it's 2:30 in the a.m. and I'm not in the mood for more rambling... but also because there are a few that I would like to see go and a few I would like to see stay but my wishes are rarely taken into consideration with this club. They just don't value my opinion as highly as I do.

As for forwards, we're still swimming in 'em! Martin Hanzal (who should be back on his feet sooner rather than later after this summer's back surgery), Olli Jokinen, Dan Carcillo, Mike Zigomanis, Brian McGrattan, Todd Fedoruk, Enver Lisin, Shane Doan, Kevin Porter, Joel Perrault (concussed as of this moment), Steve Reinprecht, Daniel Winnik, Garth Murray, Viktor Tikhonov, Alex Bourret, Peter Mueller, Mikkel Boedker and Kyle Turris. *Gasp for breath here while you have the chance!*

If you know anything about me (or have EVER read this blog before) you know that I have an entirely unfounded and/or unnatural obsession with Mike Zigomanis. I want him to play every night and I want him to play well. Unfortunately, that rarely works out in my favor because he's not an elite player. Regardless, I love the guy and am super stoked that he's still around. I doubt he'll survive the next cuts (of course I could be wrong considering I haven't actually seen him play this year) but I feel like there are far too many more useful players in that list and he'll be sent back to rot in San Antonio while I pine for him here in my ridiculously expensive birthday present of a Mike Zigomanis practice jersey that I can't wear. Oh, this life.

I noticed, this year, that there were a lot more players that I didn't recognize. More often than not I found myself sitting with a blank expression on my face - "Der... who? Who the hell did they say that was?" Yeah, you should have seen me at the rookie game, I was completely effin lost. Good thing they were wearing the team's jerseys or I would have been so fucked.

There were a few other things I wanted to bring up. Now, unfortunately, I got lost on a tangent and can't remember a damn word of it. I'll be back tomorrow (or next week... you never can tell) to finish my thought processes on all things Coyotes. Until then my dears!

Jonas Ahnelov & NO MORE CHEW!

2008-09-17T17:53:00.004-06:00

This is my new best friend - Jonas Ahnelov. There are a few reasons for this and I'll explain them to you now. One of which is the (extremely fangirl-ish) fact that he's 10 kinds of beautiful. Don't argue with me ladies, it's so there. Next up, a little more fan and a lot less girl, he's a god damn machine on the ice. At yesterday's Rookie exhibition game (vs. L.A.) he was still getting his sea legs (ice legs?) under him and so he wasn't on fire... however, he was fired up.

I'll say one thing for you damn Kings, you guys are irritating as shit. Cheapshots abound when the Baby Kings are in the building. I'm sure we had our share too and I really don't want 15 emails saying that Coyotes Pups suck and were doing as many cheapers as the Princes. I'm blind to my team's flaws. You leave them be.

So I'll say this - Ahnelov is a beast, I hope he has a spot on our roster at some point this year. He is so exciting to watch (and no, that's not a reference to his pretty features) and I would really kill to see him unleash some of that temper that I see rolling under the exterior.

Moving right along. Derek Morris, you own my heart for more than one reason. You've got a hell of a sniper shot and you're an honest to god nice guy (who knew there were any of you left?) but honey, the chew? Not a good look for you. Not a good look for anybody. Please, for the love of all things beautiful, put it away!!

That is all.

IT'S HOCKEY SEASON FOLKS!!

I'm Such a Slacker

2008-08-11T22:34:00.002-06:00

If anyone is even still reading my poor, pathetic and neglected blog... I apologize. Off season is a terrific time to forget I have any type of obligations to my blog and to my faithful readers. I've been slacking more than usual lately but I am trying to get back in the loop. It's been fairly easy to ignore anything hockey-related lately and that included making up any goofy interviews with players. Luckily though, the season is fast approaching and so I think it's about that time that my hiatus ends!

Let's see - like I said, I am extremely out of touch so it's a bit difficult for me to give you any sort of news yet. However, I am aware that the give-away schedule is out tomorrow afternoon, for those of you interested (and I know I am). I always love free stuff!

Doan's unofficial camp opened today at Alltel Ice Den in Scottsdale. I didn't go so I don't have much to report on that front (I'm a horrible blogger, I'm so out of touch!) While we wait for me to get back in the swing, go check out Mo's blog, she's more in the know than I am. I'll be back to old form soon! Promise lovelies!

Phoenix Coyotes Soundtrack

2008-07-05T14:58:00.000-06:00

The HLOG has finally taken their Creative Challenge off hiatus and our first challenge was to create a soundtrack for our teams past season. I wanted it to be wholly meaningful and so, as is my nature, I made a joke of it first and went to my iTunes, clicked shuffle and happily played along trying to create a reason for whatever song came up. Then I got down to business and created my ACTUAL playlist, but first… the nonsense!! Enjoy.

Invisible – Ashlee Simpson
All the naysayers from the offseason who thought we’d be dead last and then turned around and called us a Cinderella story and talked about how exciting we were, etc. BAHAH! Stick that in your pipe and smoke it. We don’t need it.

Breaking Free – High School Musical (Yeah, yeah. I don’t want to hear it.)
A couple high points in the season when we cracked into the playoffs with a team that no one expected to go anywhere. Take some of that.

Kids of the Future – Jonas Brothers
Rookie Camp, ‘nuff said.

Heartache Every Moment – HIM
Every time we played the Minnesota Wild and got spanked. The beginning of the season when we faced the San Jose Sharks and couldn’t seem to get one past the Tosk. Man, I am cringing just thinking about it.

Stupid Girls – Pink
Ok… too easy. I’m not even going to go there. It’s sexist. Use your imagination.

Close Yet Far – CKY
The end of the season. We were so close to the playoffs we could taste them… unfortch, almost doesn’t count and we had to sit out, once again. Damn.

OK, on to the actual playlist because I’m bored with that already (Gemini…) –

First Game of the Season – “Alive” by POD
Our arena was jam-packed and the tempo was crazy-insane. As fans, we finally had something to look forward to and it was obvious in the atmosphere in there. We came for a winning team and a good show and the players were only too happy to oblige.

Signing Ilya Bryzgalov – “You Are The One” by HIM
I wrestled with using Enrique Iglesias’ “Hero” but thought better of it… Haha.

Trading Fredrik Sjostrom to NYR, Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton to FLA – “Say Goodbye” by Chris Brown
Yeah, I’m a typical fangirl but I fell in love with my boys over the years and I hate losing my favs. There are those (who shall remain nameless to protect their honor) that I don’t even notice gone… and then there are guys like these.

My pet, Kyle Turris’, First NHL Game – “Right Where I Belong” by 3 Doors Down
Pretty self-explanatory. He belongs with us.

End of the Season – “Come So Far (Got So Far to Go)” from Hairspray
Yeah, that’s right. I know my team has come a long way from where we were even just a year ago but I’m okay with it. Every game we got better and more comfortable and even though we have probably have a long road ahead of us as far as winning the Cup is concerned… we’re on our way.

That’s probably (not) the best I can do but I’m going to leave it or else I’ll spend far too much time trying to make it perfect… never works.

(x-posted to HLOG)

Signings Thus Far

2008-07-03T20:47:00.003-06:00

I didn't/don't have the stomach to write out the whole of Free-Agency Frenzy.

However, now that it's a few days later I've decided to write out the guys we've signed. For a full analysis you'll have to point your browsers to Coyotes Hip Check for all the dirt. Enjoy.

NEWBIES

Defenseman Kurt Sauer - Obviously to replace Boynts (on the ice, not so much in our hearts.) - 4 years, 7 million dollars.

Right Wing (and league tough guy) Brian McGrattan (to protect our chitlins from the Sean Averys of the world.) - 1 year, as yet undisclosed dollar amount.

Left Wing Todd Fedoruk - 3 years, 3.1 million dollars.

Defenseman David Hale - 2 years, as yet undisclosed dollar amount.

Right Wings Mikkel Boedker and Viktor Tikhonov have been signed to entry level contracts.

Right Wing Derek Nesbitt (Gods help us, I think he's AHL.)

Defenseman Drew Fata (See above.)

Right Wing Francis Lessard (I'm assuming he also is for San Antonio.)

RESIGNED

Defenseman Matt Jones has been resigned to a 2 year deal.

Goalie Al Montoya.

Left Wing David Spina (WOOHOO MESA BOY!)

LOST TO THE WIND

Craig Weller signed with the Minnesota Wild.

Radim Vrbata signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning... he's going to keep Toc company, I know.

AS YET UNACCOUNTED FOR

Mathias Tjarnqvist

Bill Thomas

Ladislav Nagy (Kill me... I'm DYING to know what happens with my boy.)

L.M.A.O.

2008-07-03T20:43:00.002-06:00

Oh, ladies, you slay me!

A small excerpt regarding the Sean Avery signing in Dallas... straight from the mouths of those who know the Stars best.

"brainless, dickless, hopeless,"

Oh yeah, I'm totally making you check it out on your own. :)

Odd Man Out

2008-06-28T23:41:00.002-06:00

Who's in?

Qualifying offers made to --

Matt Jones
Al Montoya
Daniel Carcillo
Alexei Kaigodorov - (I think this is mostly out of spite...)
Brian McGrattan
Joel Perrault

Who's out?

Assistant Coach Rick Tocchet - Because apparently this is THE year to run out on the team who waited for you to take your place in it's ranks. :P (Yes, I am well aware that this is a mutual decision and no hard feelings are in place towards Toc.)
Mathias Tjarnqvist
Bill Thomas
Marcel Hossa
Mike York - Was gone to a far corner of the universe a few weeks back but I didn't care enough to post about it.

Who else is there?

Craig Weller - Was offered a contract, it's anyone's guess where this one will go.

Rookies (Babies)

2008-06-28T23:36:00.003-06:00

Oh, my dear children... you've come so far. All the way to the top of a mountain, as it were.

Rookie camp has officially ended... it's all uphill (or downhill for some) from here. Some will make it to the big club this year and some won't... some we'll never hear from again... some might even ditch us last minute when we try to make a deal!! Let's hope not, though, I daresay we've had enough of that lately. :)

See you soon my dear babies, enjoy your short time "off".

Tjarnqvist

2008-06-27T22:52:00.002-06:00

Looks like we're losing out on another Swede this year as Mathias Tjarnqvist seems to become a free agent on July 1st. I figured this after a talk (that I mostly listened in on) with Don Maloney early this morning. Too bad, too. He's a hell of a penalty killer. Good luck out there Tjarny, we'll be seeing ya!

Follow The Yellow Brick Road

2008-06-27T15:20:00.004-06:00

I've been leaning towards the goofball side with the blog lately and while that's all well and good (it sates my appetite for the inane), I thought I could use a bit of reality in here to balance things out.

I was at Rookie Camp this morning, ahem... Prospect Development Camp and I mentioned something to a friend of mine that we decided would make an excellent blog topic - our management.

Here's the lowdown: The Coyotes had awful management for years, it was really the only thing we knew. Then, the great and powerful wizard came in (here's to you Don Maloney!), gave the cowardly lion courage, the scarecrow- some brains, the tinman- a heart and sent little Dorothy home on a hot-air balloon (or tried to). Not so many months later I am sitting in the Polar Ice Den watching my babies skate around and around and I am struck, once again, by how quickly we've come up.

Yes, I must admit that a lot of these babies are Barnett's doing and he may have done as good of a job as Maloney (I kind of doubt it) but the fact is that DM is here and we have a plethora of kids to pick from. For once in [I don't know how many] years, we have too many (quality) players and not enough spots. In the grand scheme of things, it's a fantastic problem to have.

Now, back to my main point - Don Maloney (GM) is standing behind me along with Brad Treliving (Assisstant GM) and down the row a bit is Doug Moss (President/COO). It strikes me then, when Monique (fellow hockey blogger) approached Don with 2 pages worth of questions to ask, he doesn't blow her off as most would but stands around talking and answering all her questions. Our boys in management are so available to us. We have all sorts of opportunities to mingle with the big-wigs, so to speak. We can get our questions answered, whether by phone call, email or in person.

Flashback to the draft party for a minute when Jeff Shumway (CEO) was in attendance and stood talking to some fans for awhile. I'm not sure how other teams work but I'm fairly certain that they don't have the same sort of opportunities that we have as far as getting more personal with both players and staff.

I'm sure there's a reason for this - they want to keep us happy. We're not a Canadian team, there's not a waiting list for season tickets, etc. However, those of us who DO care show up to every damn event there is. We do things our own way to get the Coyotes' name into the community and we are damn proud of how well our boys are doing. Far better than any of you expected, I'm sure.

Regardless of whatever else we may or may not have here in Phoenix, we have a management team who cares enough to listen to our likes/dislikes (and actually DO something about them) and a team who shows up every night to make sure we stay entertained.

Stick to the path Dorothy, those flying monkeys don't stand a chance!

Conference Call

2008-06-25T23:14:00.006-06:00

This is going to be a very interesting phone call ladies and gents, it may or may not get graphic (let's hope for the former). I just want to warn you ahead of time in case your children are watching in.

I scheduled our most recent interview before the 2008 Draft and being the kind soul that he is, Keith Ballard has agreed to do the interview regardless of his status. He does, however, have one stipulation: that we conference in Nick Boynton so that he can get his side of the story out as well. I am on hold as we speak - let's cross our fingers, shall we?

KB - Hello?
TCL - Keith? Can you hear me?
KB - Yeah, we can hear you.
NB - Umph.
TCL - Was that a grunt of acceptance I heard from you Nicky?
NB - Piss off. I just got sent to f*(&ing Florida. How would you feel?
TCL - Er... like I finally have a chance to go to the beach and work on my tan?
NB - Yeah, it's all sunshine and butterflies; my team threw me away. I worked my ass off for them this past year. I helped whip the rookies into shape and now the little bastards have replaced me.
TCL - I honestly don't know what to tell you brother.
NB - Maybe you can explain to me why Morris gets to stay and I don't? Why not trade him?
TCL - Well... I actually have an answer for that.
NB - Let's hear it princess!
TCL - Calm down, pal. I don't have to like you anymore, you're not on my team. Technically you're the enemy. However, I do have your answer -- if they were to trade Derek Morris, who would attend all the fan events during the summer? Plus, he's actually pretty damn good, have you watched the guy lately? I mean...
NB - What is this? The I-Heart-DMo-Hour?
TCL - Nick. Nick-Nick-Nick. EVERY hour is the "I-Heart-DMo-Hour" around here.
NB - Whatever. Ok, well say I understand about Morris, why the f*&( do they keep Yandle and Jonesy?
TCL - I have an answer for that as well. Because they can still scare them into getting off their asses and doing something. They're babies Nicky, they still have fear of the organization. You don't.
NB - Harumph.

TCL - What?
KB - I think he hung up.
TCL - Really? I didn't even get to be mean yet.
KB - Jesus, how mean did you plan to get?
TCL - Oh, honey. I planned to tell him that the real reason he was traded was because we needed a legitimate scoring threat more than we needed another mediocre defenseman. I just didn't have a chance to get there.
KB - Dang.
TCL - So, this interview is taking a little bit of a turn because I had originally planned to ask how you felt about the picks and how you planned to help them grow as players thus creating a better, more well-rounded Coyotes team.
KB - Mmmhmm.
TCL - I can't ask you that now, can I?
KB - You probably could but it wouldn't be 100% accurate or helpful.
TCL - We try to stay away from accurate and helpful here at True Coyote Love. That's beside the point. Keith, if you had a chance to say one thing to the Coyotes management at this very moment, what would it be?
KB - I'd tell them that they'll be sorry and that they lost the best defenseman they had.
TCL - Strong words. Some would disagree with you. Some would say that Zbynek Michalek is infinitely better than you.
KB - Sure, Z's okay... but does he have the hipcheck? I don't think so. No one can rock the butt like me. Now it's gone.
TCL - Your butt?
KB - No. I mean now I will be using it against the Coyotes instead of FOR them.
TCL - I see... I was worried about that. Tell me, just between us, who is your first target among the Coyotes? I know there has to be someone you've been dying to flip over your back.

KB - Honestly? I think I'm going for Turris. Not because I have anything against the kid but because he's so tiny he'll go flipping through the air like he was hit by a bus.
TCL - Hey now! Kyle Turris is our favorite pet project here at TCL, don't go breaking him before we get to see his full potential!
KB - I won't hurt him much.
TCL - You know, you might want to be careful about that now. We just acquired Brian McGrattan from the Sens today- did you hear about that?
KB - Er... no. McGrattan?
TCL - Yep. The heavyweight. Methinks his whole job here is to keep goons away from Turris and the rest of the babies.
KB - I might be able to take him.
TCL - Keith, baby, don't make us laugh.
KB - I might!
TCL - Right. Moving on. You just got married or are getting married this summer. What does the Mrs. think about this whole moving to Florida thing?
KB - To be honest with you, I don't think she really cares one way or the other where I play.
TCL - Do you?
KB - Care where I play? Um... a couple weeks ago I might have said yes. At this point I just want to play hockey, it's what I love.
TCL - And there you have it folks. Straight from the horse's mouth! All you need is love. <3

Rookie Camp

2008-06-22T17:04:00.001-06:00

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes will hold a Prospect Development Camp June 24-28 at Desert Schools Coyotes Center in Peoria. All sessions will be free and open to the public. A full schedule of practice times is listed below:

Tuesday, June 24th

9:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. at DSCC Peoria

Wednesday, June 25th

9:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. at DSCC Peoria

Friday, June 27th

9:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. at DSCC Peoria

Saturday, June 28th

9:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. at DSCC Peoria

Twenty seven (27) of the Coyotes’ top prospects are expected to attend the camp including forward Mikkel Boedker, the Coyotes’ top draft choice (8th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Former draft selections Kyle Turris, Kevin Porter and Brett MacLean will also attend. The camp will provide players with NHL coaching and instruction in both on- and off-ice workout sessions. The camp will also focus on conditioning, strength, power and agility training fundamentals, high speed skill development, and nutrition.

The coaching staff for the 2008 Phoenix Coyotes Prospect Development Camp will include San Antonio Rampage (AHL) Head Coach Greg Ireland, Assistant Coach Ray Edwards, Coyotes’ Director of Prospect Development Sean Burke, Conditioning Coordinator Mike Bahn and Power Skating Coach Mark Ciaccio.

The following is a list of players who will be attending the camp:

PLAYER POSITION: 2007-08 CLUB

Joel Gistedt Goaltender Frolunda (Sweden)

Josh Tordjman Goaltender San Antonio (AHL)

Scott Darling Goaltender Indiana (USHL)

Kyle Turris Center Wisconsin (WCHA)/Phoenix (NHL)

Josh Lunden Center Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA)

Ben Ferriero Center Boston College (HE)

Colin Long Center Kelowna (WHL)

Adam Perry Left Wing London/Belleville (OHL)

Brett MacLean Left Wing Oshawa (OHL)

Chris Summers Left Wing Michigan (CCHA)

Kevin Porter Left Wing Michigan (CCHA)/San Antonio (AHL)

Mikkel Boedker Left Wing Kitchener (OHL)

Pat Brosnihan Right Wing Yale (Ivy League)

Victor Tikhonov Right Wing Cherepovets (Russia)

Jared Staal Right Wing Sudbury (OHL)

Brett Hextall Right Wing Penticton (BCHL)

Chad Kolarik Right Wing Michigan (CCHA)/San Antonio (AHL)

Chris Frank Defenseman Western Michigan (CCHA)

Nick Ross Defenseman Regina/Kamloops (WHL)/San Antonio (AHL)

Juha Uotila Defenseman Nebraska-Omaha (CCHA)

Jonas Ahnelov Defenseman Frolunda (Sweden)

Sean Sullivan Defenseman Arizona (CHL)/San Antonio (AHL)

Dylan Reese Defenseman San Antonio (AHL)

David Schlemko Defenseman Arizona (CHL)/San Antonio (AHL)

Maxim Goncharov Defenseman Moscow (Russia)

Mathieu Brodeur Defenseman Cape Breton (QMJHL)

Tim Billingsley Defenseman Mississauga-St. Mike’s (OHL)

Draft Party 2008

2008-06-20T16:35:00.016-06:00

So here's the thing, I am sitting here on a red leather couch that's currently sticking to my bum (thankyouverymuch) and waiting for the draft to begin. The Coyotes have the 8th overall pick and; I believe; 4 in the second round. Aren't we stoked??

Yes, we truly are.

This is my professional opinion on the whole situation - there's a bazillion people here for the Yotes. I'm so proud. Also, people who watch horse races are extremely angry people. There's an old guy sitting across from me whose every word is "Move you son-of-a-bitch!! Fuckin' shit!" It would be funny if I wasn't trying to hear the pre-draft coverage...

Jerk.

Stay tuned.

Update - Mueller & morris just showed up to sign autographs. Muells chopped his hair off. It looks good. :)

Draft is finally starting.

King Cammy just got traded to the Flames (my second love). I can deal with that.

4:19 -- Olli Jokinen to Phx for Keith Ballard, Nick Boynton and our 49 th pick. More opinions and observations to come later, my fingers are numb.

Number 1 pick - Steve Stamkos to Tampa Bay. Duh. Who couldn't have called that?

4:29 -- Second pick - Drew Doughty. Go Kings, I love him. He's great.

4:39 -- 3rd pick - Zach Bogosian to the Thrashers. He's cute... that's not what it's all about, sure... but he's cute.

4:49 -- 4th pick - Alex Pietrangelo to the Blues.

4:59 -- 5th pick - (still in talks...) NYI trade 5th to TOR for #7 and optionally #60 this year and 3rd round next year or #68 this year and 2nd round pick next year. Eek... figure that out if you will.

5th pick - Luke Schenn to Toronto.

5:11 -- 6th pick to Columbus (bitches, we wanted the Russian). Nikita Filatov.

5:17 -- Our new radio affiliate - Xtra Sports 910 - is broadcasting live from the Upper Deck Sports Grill (where I am as I type this) and they keep bringing up the Ballard/Boynton trade... not cute.

5:22 -- 7th pick to Nashville -- Colin Wilson. I hate Nashville.

5:24 -- 8th pick is ours and the group is pissed off because they've stolen all the players we wanted most.

Who are we pickin??? Will eight be great??

I'm holding my breath bitches.

Go Gretz, go!! I love that he just got a standing ovation. My coach rocks.

Mikkel Boedker it is. Everyone in this bar has just been spared their lives. Apparently he's been given the nickname among the consorts as "The Great Dane" Catchy eh?

5:34 -- 9th pick to NYI. Josh Bailey.

I don't care anymore at this point. I may or may not speak anymore tonight.

Bye Kapanen!

2008-06-12T21:21:00.002-06:00

I've been slacking on the blog front (again) but I thought I'd pop in to let those of you who may not already know that Niko Kapanen won't be back with us next year as he's signed with a team in Russia.

Bye Kapi! Good luck!

Blake Wheeler

2008-06-03T16:03:00.002-06:00

"In a way we think Wheeler has set himself up for failure [...] When you boil everything down, we see Wheeler as a soft, weak-skating, over-hyped prospect who really; unless his defense is very good; had best be a scoring wizard otherwise his stay in the NHL just might not be very long."

Ouch.

I really want to stick up for Blake. I want to be the lone voice in the crowd saying that he's justified in his decision. Unfortunately, I think it was a bad move. Coyotes fans are calling for blood. They hope he never sees the NHL; that his career ends before it begins; in short, they want to see him fail.

It sucks but he made his bed... you all know the saying. Let's see how he works it now. Good luck ~~sucker~~ Blake. You're going to need it. Oh! And you might want to ask to be benched when you play us... the masses are bribing Dan Carcillo with food, tattoos and sexual favors to lay you out. Plus, you'll probably get boo'd more than Jeremy Roenick... you don't want that pressure/hatred at 21.

Blake Wheeler

2008-05-29T17:02:00.002-06:00

You are now officially on my shit list...

You'll be happy to know that you are in fine company. Sean Avery, Jordin Tootoo and Jeremy Roenick join you on this list for one or more egregious acts.

Kudos.

You know, I can't be 100% pissed off at you yet. The gossip will find it's way out Blake Wheeler. We don't know the facts yet on why you chose free agency over being a Coyote. But we will. We WILL find out why you blew us off.

My guess? (And please note that I am irked at this moment so this whole post is colored in irritation.) He didn't want to share the spotlight with the Kyle Turris' and Peter Mueller's who might or might not be far more fantastic than him.

Green is not your color Wheels.

We Have With Us Tonight

2008-05-07T19:53:00.009-06:00

It's that time again my dears, time to sit down for a one-on-one with one of our most beloved Coyotes and find out what, exactly is going on inside his head.

True Coyote Love - Thank you so much, Danny, for joining us today. We can call you Danny, can't we?

Daniel Carcillo - Sure. Yeah, I mean; I guess so; if you want to.

TCL - ...Okay. So, how has this off season been going for you?

DC - Not too bad, you know. We've been working out and pretty much getting ready for next season.

TCL - Uh-huh. Sounds pretty bland.

DC - What?

TCL - Here's the thing Danny, we've gotten some requests that you be our next interview and there are some questions that the fans desperately want answered. Are you game?

DC - I have a girlfriend.

TCL - Look, honey, I understand that YOU think that's the best we can come up with but trust me, our questions and the questions of our readers are far more bizarre; but much more fun to answer. Again, are you game?

DC - I guess I'm up for anything.

TCL - Glad you should say that. Now, our first question: what was the deal with the whole big fluffy hair thing you were rocking at the end of the year? I mean, you seriously had hair EVERYWHERE. What was that about?

DC - Well, honestly, I want to say it was a fashion statement; that I was more than a pretty boy; but the truth is that it provided some cushion when I got punched in the face.

TCL - Cushion.

DC - Exactly.

TCL - Is it wrong that that actually makes so much sense to me? Next question: The tattoos.

DC - Heh heh. I get a lot of questions about them.

TCL - So, we understand these ones.

TCL - Stars. We get that.

DC - Yeah.

TCL - But, what the hell is this?

TCL - Some sort of tribal bird... care to explain?

DC - Well, the thing is... no, I don't really know how to explain it.

TCL - What is it?

DC - You wouldn't understand.

TCL - If you don't tell me, I'll just make something up and it will be much worse for you, trust me.

DC - It wouldn't be the first time --

TCL - What?! Are you insinuating that I spread rumors about you?

DC - Chill out. I didn't mean you.

TCL - Oh.

*Pause*

TCL - So you won't tell us the story behind the tattoo?

DC - No.

TCL - Not even a little peak behind the curtain?

DC - No. I could tell you but, you know the rest?

TCL - So, next question.

DC - Works for me.

TCL - This is my favorite, I have to tell you.

DC - Should I be afraid?

TCL - Probably. But it's far too late to worry about that now. Here's the deal, we've noticed an increasing amount of flesh involved in your interviews and/or videos. Shirtless in the after game interviews, which we understand; it's hot, you're sweaty; but the welcoming Kyle Turris to the team in only a towel? What's that about? Even at this moment, you're half-naked... You just don't like clothes?

DC - Well, I know this is an interview and it's going to be all over the place but can we try to keep this to ourselves?

TCL - We can TRY but it most likely won't work.

DC - The truth is that I'm just really hot. Not temperature wise. But people always tell me I'm sexy and so I figure why not exploit that? Girls wear low cut shirts to show off the chesticles, I wear nothing to show off the entire package.

TCL - Family site!! We can't legally talk about your "package".

DC - That's not what I meant.

TCL - Oh. Sorry.

DC - I mean seriously, look at me. I'm a good looking guy? You think I'm good looking right?

TCL - Uh, sure. I guess. You're ok.

DC - Ok huh? Hmm... so then why are you fanning yourself?

TCL - Er... Well, we really thank you for your time Danny. I wish I could print more of this interview; it's rather, ahem, revealing one might say. But unfortunately, as stated previously, I do run a family site and so the majority cannot be shown to the public. You understand?

DC - Sure. I'm a hockey player, it can't be sunshine and daisies all the time.

TCL - Of course not. We wouldn't expect anything else, doll.

Go Team Canada!!

2008-04-30T21:27:00.002-06:00

Ed Jovanovski has been added to the Team Canada roster and Shane Doan has been named Captain Planet... erm... Captain Canada. No huge surprise there, Jovo had a hell of a season and Doaner is plain awesome.

Let's be completely honest here, I needed to talk about Team Canada so I could post that picture; it's just horribly adorable. I couldn't help myself.

Go Turris!!

2008-04-24T11:27:00.004-06:00

Can It Be??

(For the record, I'm assuming that is supposed to say "expected".)

Add one more to our collection of World Champs.

A Peek Into My House

2008-04-22T21:22:00.005-06:00

Warning!! - Harsh Language

"NOLAN!! I LOVE YOU! YOU'RE MY HERO!!"

"FUCKIN' KIPPER!"

"FUCKIN' GOOCH!!

...calm... it's only one goal... we're tied now, no big deal.

"DAMN YOU FUCKIN' ROENICK! I HATE YOU!"

"FUCKIN' KIPPER!! DO SOMETHING!! WHERE THE HELL IS CUJO?!"

*I fling a bag of chips (thankfully still closed) at my TV, roll my chair to an inch from the screen and calmly tell Kiprusoff that I'm going to cut his head off.

And this is only halfway into the 2nd period. Oh god. I can't handle this stress.

Update -

"KIPPER! WHERE'S YOUR HEAD? DEFENSE! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF YOUR ASSES!!"

"GOD, CUJO, YOU HAD BETTER DO A BETTER JOB!!"

"I HATE YOU GOOCH! YOU NEVER SCORE AND NOW YOU GET TWO?! CUJO, I HATE YOU TOO!"

...mind you, this is all at the top of my lungs... if I can't speak tomorrow, you all know why...

5-2 with 3:44 left in the 2nd. Why must both of my teams suck balls?

What's This Feeling?

2008-04-21T18:06:00.005-06:00

I think; and I have been fooled before; that I actually feel bad for the Ducks.

Granted, I've been rooting against them this whole season but it was nothing personal. I really only wanted them to lose because they won last year. It's one of those things - we, as a society, love to see winners fail. I'm no different. The fact is that I absolutely adore Teemu Selanne and Ryan Getzlaf. I'm even beginning to have a soft spot for Brian Sutherby, thanks to someone.

So even though I spent the better part of the series text messaging Kitty Cat with things like, "Tell your boys to kill the Ducks!" and "I really wanted them out at home so I could laugh. Hard." Somewhere, deep down, I never really expected them to lose. Not in this round anyway.

I think there may just be a small part of me that *gulp* actually likes the Ducks... but don't tell anyone. I could get beat for that.

I tried to hide from the truth my dears but as soon as I saw Teemu's face, resigned with defeat, I felt horrible. Poor guys, they really tried (sometimes). I think they realized somewhere in the last, erm... 5-6 minutes that they had no hope. I hate that. When hockey player's have no hope, they break my heart.

And so we move on.

Tomorrow night is Game 7 for the Sharks and the Flames. It could go either way, I'm really excited to watch it. Go Flames!!

I'm Not Dead

2008-04-19T19:56:00.003-06:00

I just like that picture, I won't lie. It really has nothing to do with this post, it's just a good one.

In the world of no-playoffs, the Coyotes have been anything but invisible; at least to those of us paying attention.

Half our team is playing in the World Championship this year. Shane Doan has once again been asked to represent Canada; Peter Mueller & Keith Ballard will represent the USA; Martin Hanzal, Zbynek Michalek and Radim Vrbata will all play for the Czech Republic and Niko Kapanen will be on the ice for Finland. They may have won by default, with the majority of great players being in the Playoffs, but doesn't it make you feel all warm and fuzzy to see that many Coyotes representing their countries? Maybe that's just me.

We've signed the one-two punch of Chad Kolarik & Kevin Porter to entry level contracts and they are now doing their best to snag a championship for the San Antonio Rampage. As a matter of fact, Kolarik scored a hat trick in just his second professional game to lead the Rampage to a win over the Toronto Marlies.

Go Rampage Go!! With any luck, at least one of my teams will win themselves a Cup; since it couldn't be the Coyotes, I'll definitely "settle" for the Rampage taking it home.

Moving on -- I've been paying very close attention to the Stanley Cup Playoffs lately, kind of hoping that the Ducks would get blown out of the Series last night in front of their home crowd (sorry Finny) but no luck. Teemu and the rest of the Ducks are in it to win it and they weren't willing to lace up the golf shoes just yet.

I've been hearing a lot about how Bryan Murray is pretty well done with Ray Emery and his attitude problems and all I can think is that it took him long enough to get fed up. Now, I can't blame all the Sens problems on Emery (Hello! Goal scorers, where were you?? You didn't even win ONE game!) but he's just irritated me since the practice thing earlier this season. What can I say? For someone who is bad at holding grudges, I'm really good at it.

... If you understood that, I bow down to you.

I refuse to comment in-depth on the issue of "screening" the goaltender. A lot of people are up-in-arms about this but to you I say that you shouldn't be surprised considering the source(s).

What else is going on in the hockey world that I've missed? Hmm... A lot, I'm sure. My brain is semi-dead lately. I can't remember what I've blogged about as opposed to what I've just randomly talked to people about.

I'm trying to get back in the swing of things now that the seasons are over (both hockey and tax). I know, good time to blog about hockey, right? When nothing hockey is going on...

Either way, I look forward to bringing you the very best quite soon and welcome back my loves.

First Day on the Job

2008-04-10T19:48:00.003-06:00

I promise, after the 15th I'll be back to posting on a regular basis. However, for now I am dead and this is all I've got for you. :)

Ladies & Gents Won't You Please Take Your Seats...

2008-03-31T17:25:00.002-06:00

(Sing with me Rinslet!!)

...And we hope that you enjoy the show!!

My pet project and dearest child of the moment has just been signed to an entry level contract with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Club policy prohibits the sharing of this information (blah blah blah) but you know it always gets out somehow. For anyone who's interested, do a little snooping. I'm sure it'll be leaked by tomorrow.

Kyle Turris' team, the Wisconsin Badgers were just eliminated from Playoffs last night (in OT no less) and already he's a Coyote. As far as I know, he'll be playing his first game as a Yote in our last home game this season. That's sort of sad but it fits.

All in all, welcome home; where you belong; baby Turris! I'm looking forward to a good long career from you.

My Russians Are SO Much Cooler Than Yours.

2008-03-25T14:45:00.009-06:00

Exhibit A - Enver Lisin

Boys Will Be Boys

2008-03-25T14:10:00.004-06:00

Even though some of you may argue with me, I feel like I look at incidents like these a little different because I grew up around all boys and it's just one of those things that they do.

Jonathan Roy should've taken a page from the book of Georges Laraque who will not fight someone who doesn't want to fight him. (It's particularly irritating when you need him to stand up for a teammate but I can understand it on some level.) Watching the video of the whole thing, I actually thought it was quite funny. I mean, how many times in life do you watch a goalie skate across the ice and beat the hell out of the opposing (and turtling) goalie? Much less watch with amazement as said goalie skates off the ice flipping the bird to everyone in attendance.

I can't continue, just thinking back on it is making me get a little giggly again. I'm sorry. I'm sure I would feel different if the Chicoutimi Saguenéens were my team and I had just watched my goalie be dragged into a fight he neither wanted nor attended.

However, neither team is my own and that was comedy.

Minus all the suspensions and fines. Those just suck (although yes, they ARE understandable).

Well Now

2008-03-23T22:55:00.003-06:00

My dear, sweet Coyotes. You've really blown it. I mean big time. Before I go any further, I have to say that this is not an attack against you, truly. It's been a fantastic ride this season. We've seen our rookies do much better than anticipated (here's to you Martin Hanzal), we've seen a new goalie come in and completely change our confidence in ourselves, we've seen Gretzky smile! Who knew that was even possible? Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to get us to the playoffs kids. I hope you all have your spiffy plaid shorts ready, the golf courses are calling your names.

There is one thing, however, that I am not pleased with this season. Yes, there's really only one. Considering you traded my dear Fredrik to NYR for, well, nothing we've seen so far (get your ass in NHL shape Montoya!) and you sent my personal favorite player to San Antonio, you'd think I'd be a lot angrier. As a business-minded woman, I am okay with both of these things.

WHAT?!

What could possibly be worse than those two things, you may be asking yourselves? Well, I'll tell you. I've been watching these last few games with a growing weight in my stomach (no fat jokes) because the fire seems to have left you, my dear Coyotes. I do understand that the entire reason for any sport is to win big. In hockey's case - The Stanley Cup. That's it. If you're not in it for the cup, you may as well not play.

You've gained a lot of fans back this year. You've gained a ton of new fans even. All the schmucks who "refused to renew their season tickets" this past off-season came crawling back. How sweet it is! However, why do you think they're back guys? Not just because you were winning, although that did help, but because you had passion for the game! You wanted the wins more than anything else and that showed!

I don't know where that heart went, I don't know at what point you lost it, but you need to get your heads out of your asses and find it. At this point, without that flair of passion you've got nothing. We're no longer in the playoff running, we all understand that. That doesn't mean you should start acting like nothing matters. Play well now and set the tone for next year. Play now like you refuse to let the Pacific Division get the best of you. Just play like it means something to you because it sure as hell means something to me.

Talk About An Oil Spill

2008-03-19T07:47:00.003-06:00

Yeah, it's going in. Both of our goalies saw a lot of those types of scenes last night when the Edmonton Oilers absolutely crushed us.

Gretzky started Bryzgalov which I don't understand considering his horrible performance on Saturday night. No offense to the Powers That Be but sometimes a team just has you figured out and you shouldn't play against them. Turns out that apparently the Oilers just have our number. Period. Telly let in 4 goals after Bryz's 3. All in all we ended up with a doozy of a final score. Oil: 8, Coyotes: 4. Ouch. To add insult to injury, we haven't beaten them once this year. Not even once!

We started the first period strong. Derek Morris scored first and we normally do pretty well when we grab the first goal. However, the boys in white managed to let their one goal lead slip away 12 seconds later. It was a virtual ping-pong match after that. They'd score and then we'd catch up, on and on. Unfortunately, we never could pull the lead and once Edmonton had scored their 7th to our 5th, I think we had pretty much given up hope.

It's actually quite sad because I hate to see them lose their fire. When the 8th goal; the empty netter; went in, all I saw was Ballard skate by the net, resigned. That's it. No broken sticks, no "f*&k me" being screamed across the ice. Nothing.

I'm fairly certain by this point that we have officially eliminated ourselves from the playoff race but hell, we've done better this year than anyone expected us to, we were this close to being in the playoffs and we were far more fun to watch this year then we have been, maybe ever.

It was a fun run, boys. Don't let this tone your game down, keep playing hard and we'll keep watching.

"Carcillo, My Middle Name Is Misconduct"

2008-03-14T21:32:00.003-06:00

Wow, Vancouver announcers, did you come up with that clever little epithet all by yourselves? I came home tonight and re-watched the Carcillo/Burrows fight and the things that stood out to me, with the Canucks' broadcasters in my ear of course, were how much they were trashing my beloved Carshnitzel. First the clever little line you read above, then saying things about how he's out of control and these are the reasons that he gets sent to Antonio so much. Not to mention the lines about how he's going to be punished by Greztky and that he is always an inch away from suspension.

Here's my take on the situation -- First off, the last time he was sent to San Antonio was for conditioning because he messed up his knee. Second off, Gretzky & Co. know Carcillo far better than you do. If they sent him to the ice in that situation (the situation being that Burrows had been picking on our team all night, most notably Vrbata) they knew what was going to happen and they encouraged it.

Granted, when he was pulled away he should have let it go and not tried to skate back into the fray after being sent to the penalty box but should I point out that YOUR boy pulled him back into the fight after he was already done beating that ass?

Need I ALSO point out that your boy also got a misconduct?

Before you point your fingers, announcers, open your eyes.

Thank you.

On a personal note, Dan Carcillo alternately makes me love him and drives me absolutely bonkers. Last night I was cheering for him and screaming at him at the same time because sure, he does need to get his temper in check. That being said, get off his back. He's young and he's trying.

The Tale of the Ugly Duckling

2008-03-11T13:39:00.003-06:00

Nobody loves him; he's an ugly little thing; he doesn't fit in; yada, yada, yada. He grows into something beautiful; everyone is jealous; he finds out he's not a Duck after all... he's a swan. Everything is right in the world. The end.

Tonight, the Ducks get their due...

The swans (that's us, keep up!) are exacting revenge on those filthy Ducks for making fun of us for so long. So they won the battle of the lake, big deal. That's in the past. It's all about the future now my dear Swans.

Tonight we serve up roast Duck hot and fresh... who wants a piece?

It just so happens that I hate the Ducks (ok, maybe I like them a little... alright, maybe I feel about them the way I feel about the Sharks. FINE! It's feasible that I just might be a TINY bit of a Duck fan. I especially like when they fall on their faces. Oh! And I have to love them a teensy bit because they gave me my goalie; who, incidentally, I love to hate/hate to love/love to scream obscenities at also. Funny how that works, eh?)

Moving on - I've fallen a bit behind on the updating of the blog. Don't get your knickers in a bunch, the HLOG has suffered worse from me. Sorry ladies and gents, it's the way the shoe falls sometimes.

I plan to try and play catch up at some time this weekend. If you are at all familiar with me, you know that just means that everything in the past no longer applies and I will try to fit in the things going on at the moment.

I'll try to talk a bit about Game Night and the last month of the season (Eek!) and I'll do my best to get to some sort of recap of the Coyotes as a whole this season.

I may even throw all you fangirls a bit of a bone and talk about my experiences with the players this season and you can back me up in loving and/or hating them. Maybe I'll tell you which Coyote ushered his kidlets in to see the Stanley Cup this last weekend, to the amazed laughter of myself. Maybe I'll make you aware of silly comments made by players this year. Which Coyotes are feisty? Which ones are asshats? Which ones are boring? I just might let you in. Stay tuned.

Speaking of tuning in - the HLOG is undergoing a major revamp, keep your eyes peeled. We're doing some awesome things over there!!

That's all for now! Go Yotes Go!

Hot and/or Not

2008-03-02T19:59:00.003-07:00

What's HOT??

Ed Jovanovski's fantastic last .23897 second save.
Ilya Bryzgalov's snatching Jarome Iginla's shot out of mid-air.
Mike Zigomanis scoring both goals in San Antonio's last game vs. the Chicago Wolves. Not to mention the second goal in the shootout.
Freddie Sjostrom scoring a goal in the game this morning against the Flyers.
“We have to be a little hungrier,” he said. “Overall, we need to play harder." Ya think?
The new episode of MVP. Sorry, but that show is fantastic.

What's NOT??

Curtis Jospeh having such a stellar game against us.
Ilya Bryzgalov letting in a shot in the first 2 minutes... again.
Daniel Carcillo re-injuring his knee and being out another two weeks.
The look of absolute horror on my face when Doan hurt his knee going into the boards last night.
The fact that the "Working for a Whiteout" playoff packages came in last week and we hardly have need for them anymore.
Bulleted lists for a blog.

I apologize but I have no energy for a post tonight and being that I am getting super tired of watching the Coyotes dragging ass every night I will probably say some pretty nasty things. Luckily, I don't want to say something that I will regret later, so I'm just going to end this now.

The Love Guru

2008-02-29T20:58:00.002-07:00

It will most likely be the dumbest movie of the year (with Mike Myers I wouldn't expect anything different) but I can't wait to see it. I'm especially looking forward to making fun of the Leafs (as usual) and Justin Timberlake.

For someone who was in love with him for the better part of her teenage years, I surely have moved on quite well.

OH REALLY?

2008-02-27T20:28:00.002-07:00

How hard, NHL, is the name PETER??

I Hate...

2008-02-27T19:57:00.003-07:00

Trade Deadline Day
The NY Rangers
The fact that I have to sorta/kinda like the NY Rangers now that they own Fredrik Sjostrom.
This interview that makes Freddie look so sad.
The BAMF, Don Maloney.
The fact that I only hate him because I'm a crazy-obsessed fangirl.
The fact that he hasn't let me down yet so I have to have faith in his decisions.
Anyone who thinks we won this trade.
Marcel Hossa because I can't hate him. (He hasn't done anything to warrant it. Yet.)

Draft Central - Phoenix Coyotes

2008-02-26T09:58:00.015-07:00

9:53 a.m. - The Western Conference seems to be big movers and shakers so far. The Phoenix Coyotes still haven't made any moves and I can't say I'm upset about it. We were told that we wouldn't be giving up valuable assets for a finishing piece that we don't need and I am ecstatic that we're sticking to it so far.

That being said, there is a player or two that I wouldn't be particularly devastated to lose... even for nothing.

10:53 a.m. - Bad news for Columbus? Adam Foote's contract extension talks not going well. Apparently both he and Rob Blake (LA) will only waive their NTC for Colorado. How many players can Colorado take on hmm??

Still nothing on Phoenix. 2 hours and counting until I can breathe again.

10:58 a.m. - My jaw just hit the ground. Adam Foote to Colorado for first apparently. I'm so sorry twin. That's bound to hit the Blue Jackets where it hurts; he's their Doaner. It has to be an ugly feeling to lose someone who is such a huge part of your identity.

11:07 a.m. - "Sources say Sergei Fedorov to Washington Capitals." Ouch. Columbus fans are taking a huge hit today.

12:19 p.m. - I went to lunch (Arby's... so good) and came back; nothing new had happened. I'm waiting with bated breath my lovelies.

Will anything happen? Will the Coyotes make any minor moves? Hmm... we will see.

12:40 p.m. - 20 minutes and counting. Are there any earth-shattering moves left in the NHL??

12:57 p.m. - Marian Hossa to Penguins for Colby Armstrong and some other folks... Haha. Ok, for Erik Christensen, a first rounder and Angelo Esposito (I'll take douchey young hockey players for $100). How weird is it going to be seeing Army in a Thrashers sweater?? Ick.

That just might be the end for this year.

1:00 p.m. - Trade Deadline is officially here. The Coyotes did nothing, as promised. It was expected but I am left underwhelmed. I hate when NOTHING happens. It's funny that you gear yourself up for the worst and then you're just stuck sitting having gone nowhere. **

The plan was to do a podcast with the twin tonight on what our respective teams accomplished today but I think that since my team did nothing and her team broke her heart, the podcast experiment may be put off for another day.

Hope none of you LOATHE the moves (or lack thereof) made by your respective teams, enjoy your day as we wait for the last few deals to trickle in.

1:14 p.m. - NOOO!!!

** We made a trade.

Freddie Sjostrom, David Lenevue and Josh Gratton for Marcel Hossa & Al Montoya. Okay, so... fangirl? I just slapped my hands over my gaping mouth and gasped. Gratton? Meh. Lenny? Meh. Freddie?? Yeah. He's one of the ones that I'm a little devastated about. Maybe I should have gone last night to see him at the Sandbar in Glendale. I know someone who is going to be sad as all hell.

Freddie as a New York Ranger? I don't have words at the moment, let me work on this.

Twelve?!

2008-02-23T12:06:00.001-07:00

And I'm NOT talking about the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Another Candid Interview *

2008-02-21T21:07:00.001-07:00

I bring you the REAL Mike Zigomanis.

Before I get any further, I must point out that before starting the interview, I was made to sign a contract stating that I wouldn't ask him about his abs, any teammate in the shower or the show MVP. I was actually quite sad about that last one, I really wanted his opinions on Trevor Lemonde's relationship with Tabby and the subsequent DANCE with Molly (give me a break, it's a family site, DANCE is the best I could do).

TCL: Let's get started. Have you ever read the blog before?

MZ: Yeah, all the time.

TCL: REALLY?!

MZ: ... Yeah, definitely.

TCL: Awesome. So, when they told you that you were coming back up to the big club, did you sing?

MZ: Sing? What?

TCL: Nevermind. Inside joke. You obviously don't read the blog.

MZ: Erm...

TCL: No matter... moving on. When you got the news that you were being sent to San Antonio, how did you feel?

MZ: I was okay with it. I mean, the team just didn't have a need for me at the time so they sent me down. I knew I had to just keep working hard and I would find my way back up.

TCL: But they pretty much had just thrown you away. I mean, waivers... you didn't get claimed. That HAS to hurt.

MZ: No, it was great, thanks for bringing it up again.

TCL: So, you said just work hard and you'd end up back home, do you feel like you did that in your short time in San Antonio? Perhaps you've proven something to management?

MZ: Yeah, definitely. I'm back, aren't I?

At this point, the phone rang with the news that he was being sent down to San Antonio (again!).

MZ: Son-of-a-!@#$%^*&^%$#~!@#$%^

TCL: Bad news?

MZ: I hate this team.

Sorry Ziggy, you're the new Billy Thomas. Needless to say, the interview was cut a little short...

*Same rules apply.

So Cute It Makes Me GAG

2008-02-21T20:29:00.002-07:00

Photo Courtesy

I had to comment on this because it just made me laugh so hard.

"I still was cautious," she told the paper. "[He] used such beautiful words and spoke about such serious things! But he only saw my photos!"

First of all, of COURSE he used beautiful words on you after only seeing your photos... you're hot. Don't look at me like that, readers, she is... you know it. She's a two week girlfriend and yet they're already public. Gods love hockey (and it's players)!

Candid Interview... *

2008-02-20T21:24:00.004-07:00

After his first period fight with Shane Doan and consequent win over the Coyotes... TCL caught up with Dion Phaneuf to get his thoughts on the Phoenix Coyotes and their captain.

TCL: How's the head Phaneuf? It looked like you were seeing stars for a bit there, and I don't mean Marty Turco.

D.P: This head, it's like a rock.

TCL: No kidding...

D.P: What? *Pause* Anyway, it'll take more than that to keep me down.

TCL *Nodding*: I see. So, what did you think of Doan going at it with you? He's not really known as the fighter anymore. He has other guys to take care of it for him, you must have really pissed him off.

D.P: I only told him the truth. That he needed to buy Mueller a pair of tweezers... it's not a lie!! Then he shoved me and asked if I wanted to go. I'm actually surprised at how strong he is... he's old, I thought I could take him, easy. He gave me a few good ones... but I couldn't back down.

TCL: Of course not, Dion. So tell me, after playing this very young and energetic team, what are your thoughts?

D.P: About the Coyotes?

TCL: Yes sir.

D.P: Erm... well, they... erm... they have a pretty snazzy mascot.

TCL: That's it?

D.P: We just beat them 4-1. Is there anything good that CAN be said??

TCL: Touche. We'll catch up again, Dion. Thanks for your time.

D.P: Hey, can you get me Gretzky's autograph??

*All opinions herein are my own. I do not know Dion Phaneuf and can't prove he thinks that Peter Mueller needs tweezers. Although, he really does. :) It's a joke post, my dears, lighten up.

TURRRRCO!

2008-02-14T20:21:00.004-07:00

Happy Valentine's Day all!! Even though I am a relatively bitter chick who hates the day (quite possibly because I'm single) I know that (contrary to my own belief) the world does NOT revolve around me. So even though I may have wanted to ignore the day altogether, it wasn't going to work that way.

The Stars visited Glendale tonight and are halfway through the 2nd period... we're in the lead. Congrats Carcillo & Doaner (nice beard) on your goals! Let's see if we can hold them off a little while longer. Bryz! seems to be on his game even though we're having some pretty big brain farts on the ice tonight (Yandle, here's looking at you for that first goal baby!)

Anywho, my main point of contention tonight is that I had to miss the game (damn you flu!!). I was invited to go with one of my best friends (no one tell HER I said that...) and had to cancel last minute because I feel like I'm going to die. That seems to be a recurring pattern with me, don't ya think? Ahh well, I'll get that taken care of soon, don't you worry your pretty little heads.

Back to the game - the reason I am so upset about missing this game (in particular) is that my boy Ziggy was recalled for this game (in place of Matt Murley) and I'm not sure how long he'll be up, it would have been nice to see him again. Not to mention it's Valentine's day and maybe at the game I would have had less reminders of what a miserable shrew I am... then again, maybe not. There may be lots of roses and proposals going on at the Job tonight. I'm not a huge fan of those on ANY night (ask anyone, I always hope the girls say no when they're proposed to on the jumbotron!)

Yay Kapanen!! Two for two (in a row) against the Stars!! Coyotes 3-1.

Anyway, 2nd period is ending and we're still ahead. GO COYOTES!

Join Us

2008-02-11T13:05:00.001-07:00

We're duking it out to the bitter end.

The Letter Theme

2008-02-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Bryz!,

Get off your ass and stop letting in soft goals. Stop letting in early goals. If it's not TOO much to ask, just stop letting in goals, period. I know you are capable of much more and you're really driving me crazy by not doing what we all know you can do.

Last night you were pulled pretty early for letting in 3 goals out of, what? 10 shots on goal? Not cute my dear. I understand that you don't always have the best defensive units in front of you and that makes a huge difference. I also understand that you're going to have an off night every now and then. I'm fine with it! But when you have [insert random number here] off nights in a row, I start to get a little irritated with you. You're too good for that.

Love, Me

Dear Pete Vandermeer,

Welcome to the team, I don't really expect you to stay long (sorry about that) so enjoy it while it lasts.

Best Regards, Me

Dear Handsome Hanzy,

Get better soon please, whether they know it or not, your team misses you out there.

Love, Me

Dear Carcillo,

Stop being a putz. Your NHL club sent you to the AHL because you were acting like a little boy who couldn't keep his temper in check. Man up, baby. When you do, call us. We'll welcome you back with open arms.

Love, Me

P.S. Racking up 10 more misconduct minutes in San Antonio probably isn't the way to please your coach, GM, teammates OR fans. Get your shit together.

Dear Zednik Family,

My thoughts are with you.

Sincerely, Me

** Who called the Pete Vandermeer thing? Damn, I am GOOD. It may be a new record, one NHL game...

Dear Bunnies, Friends of Bunnies & FanGirls -

2008-02-08T13:06:00.000-07:00

I have to apologize because I made (and probably have been making) the classic 'guy mistake' and considering I am not a guy, it's extra bad. You may know the mistake I speak of and up until recently I didn't realize I was even doing it!!

I was at the game the other night and I saw a couple girls walking around before warmups. I did not know these girls. I had never seen them before in my life. As soon as I looked at them, though, I knew their type. Wearing the bare minimum of clothes required to be legal, stilettos that are longer than my fingers... the whole nine yards. They may have been going to a club in Miami as opposed to an ice rink. No matter. The point was that I looked as these girls and thought to myself, "I wonder which one." That's it. "I wonder which one." You know where my mind went with that.

Fast forward about 15 minutes and these same girls end up standing near me to watch warm ups and since I am alone, I eavesdrop on their conversation. (What? Don't act like you don't do it!) Much to my surprise; and if I'm being perfectly honest, my glee; the girls (who have now been adopted as my personal pets... they just don't know it) were very... well, girly at first. It was all, "I got my nails done" and "I need to see my girl, my roots are growing out." So I tuned them out a bit.

A few minutes later they snaked back into my consciousness when I caught the tail end of a conversation regarding Jovo's +/- and how it relates to his play on the ice. They then went on to list the stats of many of the players on the Coyotes (and the Blue Jackets) and how their stats don't always do them justice. Especially the +/-.

As silly as it sounds, my jaw dropped. I honestly made the classic 'guy mistake' (there it is) of assuming that since these girls were dressed like they were, that made them bunnies. Of course, a lot of guys take it further and assume that any female period is a bunny, regardless of her attire... so I am hoping to talk my way out and explain that I am aware of many a good female that know their hockey more than most guys.

So ladies, I apologize. I made an assumption that was entirely uncalled for. You MAY have been there to get some action from the players but you knew your stuff and that made me want to hug you. There's hope for the world yet.

And! Speaking of conversations overheard... there were two young boys behind me (obviously peewee hockey players) who were in shock and awe of everything Coyotes.

"I want to have a wooden stick like Jovo's."
"Doan's skates are awesome, I need some like that."
"Look how fast Mueller is. I wonder if I'll ever be that fast."

And the icing on top of a fantastically endearing conversation, "Wouldn't it be cool if we made it to the Coyotes someday?"

That, ladies and gents, is why we do what we do. <3

THIS JUST IN

2008-02-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

GAME NIGHT WITH THE COYOTES IS ON!!!

March 9th, 2008 -- Join the Phoenix Coyotes, Howler, the Pack Dancers and the Stanley Cup!! Play games, get autographs and take pictures!!

I'll be there!!

More on this later!

Weller

2008-02-08T09:55:00.000-07:00

Is. Not. A. Dirty. Player.

All you people that THINK you know all about him, save it. Here's the deal - yes, he checked precious Nashy-poo and baby-fall-down-go-boom. Get over it. It's hockey, you're gonna get hit. The rest of the Columbus Blue Jackets came to his rescue, fine. I wouldn't expect anything less. Tollefson (as much as I like the guy) was skating the hardest, trying to seem as though he was going to kill Weller. Weller did what any sane person does in that instance, he stood up for himself. He tossed his gloves and plowed OKT with a punch that will leave that head ringing for a month. It's not Craig's fault that Ole-Kristian Tollefson wasn't ready for it or that he didn't steel himself for the punch. He came at Weller to fight, that's what he got. Sort of. Well, he really just got knocked out... but that's beside the point.

For everyone who keeps saying how Craig Weller is a dirty player and Tollefson got sucker-punched, come off it. Would you rather him have stood there and taken the abuse that was inevitably coming his way? Maybe he should've hit the deck like some other players might have? Get off his back. He got the penalties that the refs thought he deserved (I don't agree with them all but no one asked me) and it's done.

Don't get me wrong (and send me ugly mail and/or comments), I am upset that Ole is hurt and I wish that it hadn't happened; not just because it cost us the game, but because I truly hate seeing any player get hurt. I hope he gets better soon, truly I do. But for the love of the hockey Gods, lay off of Weller, he did what he could.

From HFBoards: "As an unbiased observer: Clean hit on Nash, reaction by the Jackets was overkill for a clean hit and I really don't care if the other player had dropped his gloves yet, he was initiating the fight and had every intention of throwing a punch or two. Weller beat him to it."

Injury Report & The Return of the MAN

2008-02-06T20:21:00.000-07:00

It's not nice, dear Hockey Gods, to toy with my emotions. You signal the return of our beloved Rick Tocchet with the injury of Martin Hanzal? How is this fair?

You've read that right, my dears, Martin Hanzal is out for 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury sustained during last night's game against the Calgary Flames. 4-6 weeks! No slammin', wheelin' OR dealin' from our giant yet lovable Czech. (Speaking of Czech's, no word on Radim Vrbata; who missed last night's game with a foot injury, I believe; yet, will keep you posted.) We'll have to soldier through it all, we're vikings. That's what we do. The return of Billy Thomas should keep us in line for the time being though. Hanzal, my dear, get better soon. One game without you and I'm already dying inside.

On to the big news of the day. Tomorrow is Rick Tocchet's official return as associate coach. Just in time for our first home game back against the Columbus Blue Jackets. How stoked am I? I can't wait to see what a difference his presence will make to the younger kids who haven't had the opportunity to work with him yet. My guess is that we'll see a marked change in all the players, one way or the other.

I was wrestling with who to make my sign for (and I still might take a page from Finny's book and do a double-sided one); Tocchet or Peter Mueller but Muells won out in the end. I'll snap a picture of it tomorrow afternoon to share with all you fine people. It's a pretty good one although I happen to lack in that area of creativity.

On that note, bring on the Toc and Go Coyotes!!

Dear Coyotes

2008-02-05T21:24:00.000-07:00

You disgust me tonight. Peter Mueller scored a hat trick against the Calgary Flames and you guys let them come back to get even!! Whether you win or lose right now in OT, just understand that you are on my shit list for the night. I'll see you fuckers on Thursday.

Love, Tracy

Dear Coyotes

2008-02-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

I understand that my dear Martin Hanzal left the game yesterday with a (possible) shoulder injury and that tends to deflate a team but please, I am begging here, don't let this get you too far down.

You have managed to pull yourself up by your fight straps and make it into that last playoff spot (again). Don't let your heads get in the way of what you need to do to stay there. Don't think too much, it's not flattering. :)

I know we're going to be seeing some old friends tonight and that might get you a little excited but just keep in mind that while you're on the ice, Curtis Joseph and Owen Nolan are NOT your friends. Jarome Iginla definitely is not your friend. Dion Phaneuf. Not your friend. No matter how well you got along when you played together on the All Star Team, the former Phoenix Coyotes, Team Canada, etc. They. Are. Not. Friends. You do whatever you can to stop them. But, please, no violence (that's undeserved).

Time to get your wits about you and play smart hockey. Telly/Bryz! Don't allow any early goals. It messes with your teammate's heads. Keep it simple (stupid) and you've got this. You guys know you're talented and you know what you can do. The rest of the hockey world is starting to figure it out. Just last night I was flipping back and forth to the Flames game and I heard the Edmonton announcers talking about how good our young team is. That's right. In a game that had ZERO to do with you, they were talking about you!

I didn't tell you this to swell your heads. I told you this to scare you. As quickly as you have risen, you can fall even quicker. Don't get cocky. Keep your confidence as confidence is key. You know you can beat anybody and you expect to beat everybody, correct? Hop to it my beauties. The hockey world is waiting for you to fail, waiting for you to be the joke that you've been for years now. Oh no, my children, it's your effin' time to shine and you're going to do it despite all the critics who thought you never had a chance.

To make a long story short, don't suck tonight. We need the win too badly. I love you and good luck!

P.S. Welcome to the Coyotes Matt Murley! It's great to see some new 'baby' faces. Sorry to see you go Carcillo, get your temper in check sweet pea and we'll see you soon. While you're there in San Antonio, keep Ziggy company for me, will ya? ;)

ZIGO--(he's-the-MAN)--IS... Yeah, I went there.

2008-02-01T20:25:00.000-07:00

Photos Property of Hossenfeffer

At the risk of seeming like I have a one-track mind, Ziggy scored himself the Rampage's only goal of the night. 2 games in and already he's at 3 points. They must love him in San Antonio. He snagged the third star in tonight's game and was also part of the starting line.

I've never wanted to live in San Antonio more...

At the moment, I'm in the middle of watching The Game Plan (with The Rock) but as soon as that's done with, count on me coming at you full force with our regularly scheduled programming... aka Coyotes news and note.

Thank you and good day.

Ziggy On A Rampage

2008-01-31T20:20:00.000-07:00

I'll pulling a page out of the Finny book of love. My hockey love does not just die because you are no longer a Coyote. Well, sometimes it is (here's looking at you Roenick!), just not in this case.

In my boy Ziggy's first game as a member of the San Antonio Rampage he nabbed himself two assists, one being the game winner in OT. No goals yet but it's just his first game! He seemed to have plenty of ice time but I can't find the official TOI tally.

So for now, just congrats my boy. Keep up the hard work and we'll see you back as a Coyote soon!

Goodbye for now, my heart!

2008-01-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

Mike Zigomanis has cleared waivers and has been sent to San Antonio.

We had a good run, honey bee... but it would seem that now is the time to let the "younger generation" spread their wings and take flight. It's not that we don't still love you, we do! It's just that apparently the BAMF has other ideas as to what makes a playoff team. Besides, they kept benching you, my heart, you need a chance to play. You'll get that with the Rampage! Don't lose faith yet, heart, you could still get the call up at any time. Look at the bright side, you can help Billy T in San Antonio. Between the two of you, you can take the town by storm. There's no chick you can't... erm... meet. Don't forget me, amore, I'll be here waiting for you when you return!

Coyotes Are In The Playoffs.

2008-01-29T19:56:00.000-07:00

If only for today... how many of you thought it would happen?
Confident. Party of one. Thank you for coming.

Is This The End??

2008-01-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

Waivers? Say it ain't so...

All Star Weekend - Mueller & Jovo

2008-01-27T13:04:00.000-07:00

Draw your attention to my arrows. Mueller looks like the kid who just snuck into the room. He's trying to hide himself behind Kane's baby-fro. Not working sweetpea, not working at all. As for Jovo, he looks completely uninterested in the whole thing, but those ARE some spiffy shoes.

In the Young Stars Game, Peter Mueller did nab himself a goal so congrats to him. After the actual All Star game tonight, I'll post more. I just needed a reason to post this picture, because it's one of those ones that you can't help but see the cheese in.

Freeze Frame - Coyotes Edition

2008-01-23T16:03:00.001-07:00

To find out why this is absolutely hysterical, visit Coyotes Hip Check. I love our fans...

3 Years & Counting - - 200th Post

2008-01-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

No, the two have nothing to do with each other.

Our beautiful Russian netminder has signed a 3 year contract here in Phoenix for approximately 4 million dollars a year, or so we've been told. I've noticed a few people saying it's a little high and I disagree completely. I don't think we were going to get away anywhere under that and trying to lowball him may have pissed him off and sent him packing. I think that 4 million a year is a perfect number and I can live happily with the fact that we've got our man just a little while longer.

Now, I was all set to throw myself a huge party on my 200th post but now it's going to have to wait until 500 because of the second set of text messages I was woken up with today. As you all know, I am feeling really sick lately and so have taken to doing a lot of sleeping. This morning I woke up with the Bryz! news. I was sure it was going to be a great day.

This afternoon, however, I took a nap and woke up to 3 text messages that just said Heath Ledger is dead. Now, I've always loved him. He stole my heart in 10 Things I Hate About You and I just continued to love him when he picked up A Knight's Tale, The Brothers Grimm and Lords of Dogtown. He just recently had a baby with a woman that I've loved to hate over the years, Michelle Williams and was filming (may have even been done filming) his new role as the Joker in the new Batman movie.

It has nothing to do with hockey and I'm sure that the majority of you could care less but I'm curling up with some hot tea and watching A Knight's Tale and pretending like nothing happened because this day, dear readers, is a sad day. Condolences to Heath's family, friends and fans. He'll be missed.

I'm Dizzy

2008-01-21T18:55:00.000-07:00

This might be a new record... Billy Thomas plays in tonight's game that ended, what? 2 hours ago? Now he has already been sent back down to the San Antonio Rampage. My head is spinning with this revolving door, folks.

By the way, said game... We win. The Phoenix Coyotes beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-2. Cut. Print. Moving on.

Ok, not really. I'll be back in a bit with a real game post. For now, I am going to pop some pills and lay down. I'm sick.

Injuries, Call-Ups and Sabres. Oh My!!

2008-01-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

Matt Jones has been sent down to San Antonio for conditioning stint and since all they've been utilizing him for lately is holding down a seat in the press box, I'm glad. He needs to stretch his legs and get some playing time. I have no doubts that we'll see him again, and soon.

With Vrbata out with that pesky groin injury and Mathias Tjarnqvist possibly missing a game with a minor foot injury, we may need a little bit of help. Enter Billy T (like a superhero). Okay, so he's not necessarily a super hero and I know that a bunch of you would argue that there are other 'more worthy' players to be brought up besides him; To you I say, good day. I like him and being that this is my blog and therefore my opinion, I can call him a superhero. Just to keep a bit of basis in reality though, I will state that I hope he's worked a bit on his defensive side and keeping his head up. We wouldn't want that pretty head slammed into the boards.

Now that you're all caught up, or as caught up as you can be reading my blog that doesn't always follow a pattern or make a whole lot of sense... let's get on to the game!

Tomorrow afternoon (Ick, afternoon game) we play the Buffalo Sabres and I can't decide whether I'm excited or dreading the idea. Our teams have a similar style and we will either use our knowledge of said system to take it all or we will completely flub up chances and end up getting our butts handed to us. Personally, I'm leaning towards that first option but we can always go either way.

Good luck to the guys, I am now going to take some sore throat medicine, curl up under my 50 blankets and bid consciousness adieu.

Poor Penguins...

2008-01-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

They are having to play as any other team in the league that is not in possession of a Sidney Crosby. It sucks, we know it.

Poor Sid apparently sprained his ankle and he will be out indefinitely. At the risk of sounding cold-hearted, I'm a little glad. Not for the reasons you would think, though. I am actually a Sidney Crosby fan. I think he's an amazing player and for some reason, his dull as dirt persona does something for me. I absolutely adore the kid. HOWEVER... there are other fantastic players on the Penguins squad (one of whom is out with the same injury as Sir Sid, what are the chances?) and they need their chance to shine just as much as Crosby. Now that they'll be playing without him for a few games, they get the opportunity to show that the Penguins can still play without the aid of Superstar Sidney.

I've Been Called Out

2008-01-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

I was going to go on with life and pretend that this never happened...

In order to pretend that this never happened...

Alas, my twin and the rest of the blogosphere (and free hockey-loving world, I am sure) will not allow me to forget any of it (those meanies).

[Paragraph on goalies has been deleted for lack of belonging. Will see it again in another post at a later date centered on the subject.]

The first period held only 4 shots on goal for the Coyotes and no matter who you are, 4 in 20 minutes is not a good number. Even with their horrible SOG (which eventually got better, thank gods) Doan, Mueller & Hanzal all scored for the Coyotes and normally that would mean a good game for me, regardless of the outcome. (The only thing that might have made it better would be the Birthday Boy, himself, getting a goal.)

Unfortunately, Rick Nash & Pascal Leclaire made the good game fall straight into nothingness as they didn't allow us to pass them in goals and leapfrog over them (and St Louis) making us that much closer to a playoff spot. AND Nashy had to school Telly with that goal. Add that up and it makes the game suck for me.

I can't honestly say that I didn't stare at the screen in rapt attention the seconds leading up to Nash's goal (and the 5,000 replays thereafter) but I will say that even knowing it would go in couldn't stop me from screaming my frustration at the TV and anyone near enough to hear me.

Oh well, we'll live to fight another day.

Shark Cocktail, Definitely

2008-01-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

For all you Sharks' fans that were so impressed that your team beat the lowly Coyotes 3 out of 4 meetings, watch out. We're coming for you.

Before I go any further, let me just thank the Hockey Gods for answering my prayers and letting TGO put Ziggy in. Do you see how these things work? I don't ask for frivolous things every other day so when I really want something, they help a girl out. Turns out, though, that it may have been foresight on TGO's part as we lost first Vrbata and then Reinprecht, both in the first if my memory serves correct.

The Sharks didn't have such an easy win this time around. I am one of the first to admit that our first three games against them were horrendous. I don't know what my boys were doing but they weren't playing their best hockey. The next game (the shooutout win featuring the famous Bryz! jump) may or may not have been a fluke; depending on who you talk to.

I, of course, would say that we won that fair and square. We battled hard that game and we just so happen to have a goalie that is superb in the shootout (not to mention my favorite rookie, Shootout Money Mueller). Even with all of that, ask any Sharks fan and they were robbed. Nabby had a sore back, the lights were in his eyes, he slipped right as we shot and my personal favorite (and the one I've actually heard the most, regardless of what team we're playing) we were lucky.

That may be so, but luck and chance are a big part of every thing that ever happens to us (sports or otherwise). Yes, you obviously have to have a level of skill to play hockey, I am not disputing that at all. If you've ever been ice skating, you know that takes a lot of work. Try doing that about 100 times more fast-paced, with guys chasing you, and still manage to keep calm enough to get a rubber disc past a big guy who really just wants to knock you over.

You can't deny, however, that being in the right place at the right time isn't a huge part of being able to score. A tip-in will only work if you are in exactly the right position at any given time. Skilled or not, the cross bars and the goalie are out to impede your process and you have to have a certain amount of luck on your side, some might say chance, to get the puck directly where you want it to go.

Alright, moving on to Tuesday's game. How awesome were we? Every time the Sharks scored, we answered with a goal of our own. Every time they hit one of our players (here's talking to you Milan!) we hit them harder. Every time Roenick touched the ice he got a rousing chorus of "Roenick Sucks!" (sometimes led by my very own row of cronies), poor guy... I'm sure he was out there skating around and thinking, "I [expletive] hate these [expletive] fans. They wonder why I left here. These [tazmanian devil-type expletives]!" I could read it in his face that he thinks we're all jerks. Unfortunately for him, we don't care. Some of us never liked him to begin with so I guess it really doesn't matter either way.

(P.S. to whoever had the "Revenge for Carcillo" sign, you're my hero this week.)

I'd actually like to comment on that before I move on. I still don't think that Roenick was intending to injure Carcillo. I think he just thought he was badass. I am not 100% sure who would've won if they actually HAD gone toe-to-toe. Carcillo is tough, sure, but Roenick was also tough in his hey-day. I haven't seen him fight recently so I don't know if he's lost anything. I'm with Carcillo, however, because I think that protecting Yandle from getting wheeled off the ice (which was where it was headed, he was no match for Bernier) he stepped in to help. I don't see it being any different then when Sidney Crosby is getting pushed around and Georges Laraque (in theory) jumps in to help him out. I don't think it would have even been an issue if Carcillo hadn't gotten injured and/or Roenick had gotten a roughing penalty with the rest of the goons.

Back to Tuesday (by this point I've written a novel here and barely talked about the game so I'll keep it short). Bearing in mind, the Roenick Sucks! chants, this crowd was one of the loudest in recent history. Not necessarily a big crowd because (for the most part) the ends were completely empty but those of us in attendance did what we could to make up for that. Whether the guys were showing us how much they appreciate us or showing the people who didn't bother to show up (the same ones who always write us off as a lost cause) what they were missing... They were on fire.

With a final score of 5-3 it's clear that this one wasn't just a 'fluke'. Sorry Nabby, we had your number in this game. Even with my boy Big Joe scoring the first goal, it couldn't keep us down. I'm so proud of you, guys. I knew you could do it and now you're showing everyone else that we're not just a joke.

Stars Abound

2008-01-15T15:27:00.000-07:00

Peter Mueller has been named to the NHL Young Stars team.

I feel like I should have something witty to say here but I've truly got nothing.

Congrats Mueller, you'll do your fans proud!!

Coyote Kebabs or Shark Cocktails?

2008-01-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

We'll know in a few hours time. I'm sure we all have our predictions about how this is going to turn out but I'm going to keep mine to myself for the moment.

One thing I will share is that I see some definite action this game. By action I mean that both sides are *pissed off* with each other. Neither side has any patience for the other and so I expect for it to be an exciting game; full of anger and agression; and that's just the fans!! Don't even get me started on the players.

There are some issues in the fact that Lord Roenick (that's how he apparently refers to himself*) was responsible for taking Carcillo out of commission, there are issues in the fact that we are 3-0-1 with the Sharks this season and there are issues in the fact that these teams just seem to hate each other with or without any actual reason.

No matter how you look at it, both teams are out for blood.

Our home record is abysmal but I am hoping we turn it around tonight because if we lose, there is going to be a devastated row of Female Hockey Hooligans (minus one... she'll be excited) in attendance tonight.

Come on Bryz! We want to see the famous "Shark Shootout Jump" live!! Have fun boys and don't stress too much. You get sloppy when you get paranoid. Just have fun, you're good players. It's time to show the world.

*Lord Roenick is an entirely fictitious name, I don't know whether Jeremy Roenick actually refers to himself by this name. But if anyone does, it's him.

P.S. Join my prayer circle. ---

O Great and Holy Hockey Gods,

I don't ask you for a lot, I haven't bugged you for the Stanley Cup at all in the last couple of years because I knew we didn't deserve it. I didn't hound you for a big name player this past Free Agency and I practically never expect you to just hand us games, I understand that we need to work for it. But just this once, I have a favor to ask. I understand if it's too short notice or there are factors that I am not aware of but can you please, please give Wayne Greztky (The Great One, usually referred to as TGO) the state of mind to allow Mike Zigomanis to play tonight? Now, I'm not saying he'll have a huge impact on the final outcome but it would make someone I know very happy to see her favorite player out on the ice. By someone, I do mean me.

Thanks Gods, you guys are amazing.

P.P.S. If you are on Facebook, add the Phoenix Coyotes Application. Then head on over to the Game Day Central area and help a sister out. I get trash talked before every game because no other fans have my back about this team! Help a sister out!

The Real Test

2008-01-11T19:22:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the real test my dears. If the Coyotes can rally tonight against Vancouver after last night's disappointing loss vs. Edmonton then I will be 100% convinced that this team is completely turned around from the Phoenix Coyotes of last season.

We don't have to win, boys, but prove to me that you want it!!

Here goes everything... 7 minutes to game time (and counting).

Update - Regardless of what happens in this last 9 minutes of the game, you have made me proud boys. You soldiered through when you were down. You came up and forged ahead and you're still fighting. You've made me proud.

Bright & Shiny Star

2008-01-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

Gods love the Joves. He will be starring in his 5th career All Star Game this year. I don't have a lot of words for him right now, I guess it wasn't the best time to post a happy post (while I'm losing to the Oil by 4).

So congrats Jovo, best of luck to you honey bee!!

Ex Coyotes Do Battle! OhNo vs. JR

2008-01-10T19:42:00.001-07:00

We have this special thing going on called "Email The Booth" where you can email a question to Dave Strader and Darren Pang and they might answer it on the air. Cool, yes?

The other night we played the Calgary Flames and the question was "How is Owen Nolan playing with the Flames?" The answer was some nonsense about how he's doing great and blah, blah, blah. The thing that stuck out to me was that Panger had talked to him and Owen was so grateful to the organization for everything they had done for him and yada yada. I don't remember everything that was said, that's all I had to hear.

Owen Nolan is a class act. He can say "Thank you Coyotes for allowing me to play with you and giving me a chance." While Jeremy Roenick comes at us with all kinds of trash about him not wanting to play here anymore, going to dinner and not supporting his team because he got scratched, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I admire that he speaks his mind (as a blogger, how could I not like that?) but what I don't like is that he talks strictly to hear himself talk. I don't think he thinks about the consequences of that big mouth before he opens it.

Honorable mention for Roenick's brass balls in taking on the entire Phoenix team with that mouth.

But no real contest here, Owen Nolan will always win.

One, Two, Three Times a Winner!

2008-01-05T14:49:00.000-07:00

From the Desk of Wayne Gretzky

To Do List -

Finish 2007 as winners by beating Colorado Avalanche
Start 2008 as winners by beating Colorado Avalanche
Continue winning streak by using Telly to beat struggling Blackhawks
Hit the tanning bed, you're looking peaky gorgeous!

Check, check, check and triple check (seriously, have you seen TGO lately? He's looking a little Hilton-esque in his orangeness).

We ended 2007 on a cloud of YAY! when we managed to overtake the Avs in the shootout. Mueller, oh my boy Mueller, this kid is gold in the shootout. Alright, maybe it's too soon to say that as he's been in what? Three? Regardless, he's doing great for us and helped us secure that win.

Speaking of securing wins, how about Radim vrbata? Good lord, this guy is on fire for us! He is (so far) as boring as watching paint dry but he tries so hard and he's a nice guy so I can't hate him... :)

Next up was the Winter Classic. What? The Coyotes didn't play in that? Oh. That's right, Penguins. Sometimes I get them confused. Haha. Anyway, for those of you living under a rock who haven't heard the outcome, the Sabres (with my boy Ryan Miller!) and the Pens went to a shootout and much to the ecstasy of the NHL bigwigs, Sidney Crosby scored the game-winner. As has been previously stated, that couldn't have been scripted any better if they tried.

Cheers to all players because you guys had some pretty rough conditions out there and you battled through like soldiers. Oh! And one can't talk about the Classic without mentioning Conks, what did they feed this guy that morning and why haven't they been doing it all along? He was like a wall... I was amazed. Kudos.

Back to the Coyotes, we started the New Year off right, visiting the Avs at their house and managing to sneak away with the win again. We're sneaky, dodgy, little creatures, Coyotes. Just when you think you have us captured, we come from behind and bite you in the ass. The Avs know that now (as do the 'Hawks, but that's my next story).

Vrbata with the penalty shot. He makes it! My mom, bless her soul, was wondering what the hell a penalty shot is and Vrbata was only too happy to show her what it should look like. Freddie Sjostrom had his worst game of the season, in my eyes. He was fanning on shots, coughing up the puck and generally playing like... well, someone who shouldn't be in the NHL. I love him to death but that game was just not his night.

The Doaner jammed his wrist into the boards in the third period which led to him being scratched for our next game vs. the Chicago Blackhawks.

Memorable moments from the Hawks game? Telly started! I know, you guys didn't even remember we had a backup goalie. He showed you all, though! Jovocop almost lost an eye with a high stick from Petri Kontiola. I watched (for the first time) as Ballard got absolutely smashed in a fight vs. Burish. He never really stood a chance, Bally, but still... watching those fists repeatedly smash into his head had me in a daze. I felt dizzy all the way in my seats, I can't imagine how he felt.

After that, we took the wind right out of the Hawks' sails when penalties abounded including 2-10 minute misconduct calls. Sure they scored their 2 goals against us after those penalties, but I still feel like they were playing a little worse for wear by that time.

Freddie Sjostrom, possibly trying to redeem himself for the previous night's game, scored himself an empty-netter with less than a minute remaining in play. He had the opportunity to pass it to Vrbata and secure the goal but he played selfish (thankfully) and scored his first home goal of the season. I don't know a single person who is upset about it. Haha.

Big welcome back hugs go to Mike Zigomanis and Craig Weller who have been out for ages. We've missed you guys.

On to a more personal note - I've spent way too much time (if that exists) seeing Coyotes in random places. Keith Yandle & Shane Doan were both scratched in the Chicago game and I saw them both that night. Yandle sat behind me for the game and Doan and the Mrs. were in the elevator when I was on my way to the Radio Show. Let me point out at this moment that for someone who has relatively no problem being a nerd in front of anyone and everyone, I was starstruck (and/or stupid) around Doan and couldn't get out too much conversation. It's not like it's the first time I've seen him or talked to him but I just couldn't find words... sad. The Mrs. is so gorgeous, even more so up close then when I've seen her from a little ways away. She makes me angry with how pretty she is.

Then last night there was a player party featuring Matt Jones and Radim Vrbata and as I'm pulling into a parking spot I almost run over Vrbata (sorry about that, by the way) and we walk up the building and inside with Jonesy. This place was seriously packed and it wasn't a big place to begin with... I hope they never do one there again. I didn't get a chance to do much chatting with the guys as there was such a long line but I was okay with it, there will be other chances. Luckily, as I'm going to my car, I turn around and Vrbata is walking towards me. I yell out for him (I mean, why not?) We explained that we didn't have a chance to take a picture inside and could we then. Gods love the boy, he had the right answer, "It' s no problem at all."

I won't mention that my car got a laugh or two, being decked out in Coyotes gear... that I'll save for myself. :)

If this is how 2008 is going to be, count me in to live in 2008 for the rest of my life!!

New Helmet for Bryz!

2008-01-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

He's now officially (and completely) a Coyote. He's decked out in new pads (of which I hear he's not fond, look for them to change at some point) and brand spankin' new helmet.

Courtesy of Andie

I was kind of partial to the black pads, honestly, it made him stand out (like *THE SHIRT*) and somehow it was fitting.

Anyway, he's completely integrated himself into life as a Coyote and has everything to show for it. Really, we have another goalie?! Who knew?

What's Next For Freddie?

2008-01-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

Fashion designer...?

How much do I want one of these hats that are only available in Sweden (for now)? Maybe I should ask the Fred next time I see him... I'm sure I can swindle one somehow.

Happy Holidays Bishes!!

2007-12-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

The things I'm grateful for this year? Well, a lot of them have nothing to do with hockey and so I won't bother posting them here. However, the things that do center on hockey (and there are a lot) I will post here for my own enjoyment. So here they are - my top 5 thanks for the year (in no particular order).

Obviously, Bryz! is first on my list of things to be thankful for (as a Coyotes fan). He makes cheering so much more fun because I know that I can trust him. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Telly but as far as full-blown blind trusting, Bryz! is my boy.

These girls (and Zbynek & Freddie). (Not pictured - Twin, Finny, Jordi, Steph, KMS2 and the rest of my beautiful HLOG sisters, gods love you all!!) I've found some fantastic hockey-loving friends this past year and I seriously wouldn't trade them for the world. We yell, scream, cry and laugh. We love our teams and no logic can deter us. Beware world, hockey chicks are taking over!!

Draft Day!! Kyle Turris!! Brett MacLean!! I haven't been keeping you guys updated on their progress lately but I'll do that now - In 28 games played, Brett MacLean has scored 37 goals and 29 assists. As for Kyle Turris, in 16 games played he's scored 7 goals and 12 assists. Swoon, the future of Coyotes is looking bright my dear friends.

All the opportunities that we have, as Coyotes fans, to interact with the players. I know that 'bigger' hockey markets don't have these same oppourtunities to see their players every other week or so and I love bring able to see my boys all the time, I'm going to enjoy it as long as it lasts.

My babies. Martin Hanzal. Peter Mueller. Daniel Carcillo. They are seriously the apple of my eye and I couldn't love them any more. They work hard, they play harder and they have the heart that I've been wishing for in a team for a long time. If this is my future, it's going to be a good one.

In conclusion, I'm thankful for everything about being a Coyotes fan (except maybe the losing part) and I'm thankful for all of you because you keep me going. Have yourselves a fantastic holiday season and I'll talk to you all soon!

The Mis-Adventures of Shark Boy & Danny C

2007-12-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

It would seem that my dearly spaztastic Danny Carcillo is out 6-8 weeks with a knee sprain. I know that some people could care less as he's a huge pain in your asses but for us, he's heart. We're going to miss him while he's away and hopefully the other rough-n-tumble guys on the team will step it up so that our babies don't get picked on more than they absolutely have to.
That being said, it may mean that my boy Ziggy is finally going to rejoin the lineup as he's been missing for the past 3 games or so. I know he can play the wing so maybe instead of calling up someone else from S.A. and continuing to bench him, they'll throw him in to sink or swim. We can hope eh?

Alright, so some people would love to argue with me about whether or not Roenick's goal from the last game was legit or not. Logically I can see that it's not really his fault that the effin refs didn't give him a penalty for his part in the whole rumble. As a fan, however, I am pissed off that he was even on the ice to score that goal. The dude was in the midst of a FIGHT with Carcillo... not just roughing; a gloves-off, helmet-thrown, I'm a badass at 50, F-I-G-H-T. Carcillo DID leave this fight to go save Yandle from getting his baby bum killed; and yes, he should have gotten the third-man-in penalty for that... but wtf? Roenick gets nothing?? Really, refs? He bent Danny backwards (spraining his knee in the process) and continued to lay on top of him even after the fight had clearly seeped out of the boy in pain. You're telling me that deserves nothing??

Tonight we play the Canucks and we're hoping to continue our 'You can't stop us' attitude we've gained lately. Look to Peter Mueller (aka Mr. I Scored In The Shootout) to have a boost of confidence and to Vrbata to continue his points streak. Doan, also, should be feeling rather good about himself and ready to take on the Sedins and The LOU. As far as I know Bryz will be in net again (with good reason) and we look to see him do his happy jumps again, I'd really love to see that live.

Douchebox Moves, Volume One

2007-12-20T21:54:00.001-07:00

Chris Simon – even now, the name is inspiring all sorts of emotions with hockey fans. Some are upset, some are angry, I am IRATE. This is quite the passionate post coming from me so forgive me ahead of time but I tend to get a little crazy when a player deliberately tries to take another player out of commission. It just rubs me the wrong way.

If you’re unaware, and I know that some of you are, Chris Simon stepped on the ankle of Jarkko Ruutu while entering the Islanders box on the 15th of December. Yes it was on purpose, no doubt about it.

Here’s the thing that has me crossing the line from (merely) disgusted to irrational – we just played the Islanders 2 days before. So what might have happened had one of my boys gotten on his bad side and taken that skate to the foot? I’m not saying that it means less because it was a Pens player, that’s not the case at all, but it does tend to hit that anger button a bit harder when you look at it that way.

That being said, all rationale flies out the window. That son-of-a-B has his nerve… What the hell is he doing playing a contact sport if he has such anger issues. Look, Chris, in this game you’re going to get hit. You’re not always going to like these hits and you’re not always going to be agreed with when you complain to the refs. There are going to be times when you want to explode in anger but you’ve got to keep your cool. You can’t hit someone in the head with a stick and you can’t stomp someone’s ankle… it makes you look like a douchebox and then it gets you suspended and you get blogged about (and not in a good light).

Take A Stand

2007-12-20T21:04:00.000-07:00

The hockey blogosphere is preparing for battle. We have the Northern Warriors, the Southern Warriors and the Innocent Bystanders (the ones who neither agree nor disagree fully with either side). Unfortunately, the Innocent Bystanders are always the ones killed first so I'm choosing to take a different path and go with the new term of "Not-So-Innocent Bystander".

Now, it would be really easy to rail against either side, stating all the obvious and not-so-obvious reasons why [whichever side] is better. I'm not going to do that because no one ever wins those arguments... Instead, I will focus on the hockey-related portions of the argument and what I think in regards to the "Americans ruin hockey" and "Canadians are selfish with hockey" remarks that are prevalent not only in these blog posts but also in the grand scheme of things.

**Note - I need to point out that as an American, my focus may lean towards that end a little more. I'm going to try not to bias my opinion more than I absolutely have to.

Now that's out of the way, let's start with this little number -- Hockey in its current form is, indeed, a product of Canada (and god love you for it). However, the game itself did not originate there. There have been various forms of hockey played for over 4000 years. Sure, you may argue with me that field hockey and ice hockey are completely different but for the sake of my sanity, let's not. "17th century Dutch paintings show townsfolk playing a hockey-like game on a frozen canal."

Hockey on a frozen canal? Like pond hockey? Hmm... interesting. "European immigrants brought various versions of hockey-like games to North America such as versions of field hockey played in England. Where necessary these seem to have been adapted for icy conditions; for example, a colonial Williamsburg newspaper records hockey being played in a snow storm in Virginia."

Here's what I read into that long article (and yes, I read the *whole* thing); Hockey belongs to the world. It has been changed and reformed by all regions and cultures and has evolved into the sport that we all love today. I am not trying to take 'ownership' of hockey away from you but Canada, my love, just because you have the BEST maple syrup it doesn't make the concept uniquely yours, I'm sure there was maple syrup long before there was a 'Canada'.

I understand that we, as Americans, are greedy. We like to take over things that were never ours and change them (with or without the consent of the people we took them from) and without bashing this lovely country of mine, it's a habit we need to change. We tend to take something new and exciting (to us) and change it to fit into a mold that we already had. We'll use this as an example - the last couple of years people have moving to small towns to 'slow down their pace of life'. Once they get there they try to change the town into the city because it works best for them... didn't you move to the small town for a change? I'm confused. The point is that if we are going to adopt hockey and love it as adoptive parents, we need to love *all* of it and not just the parts that suit us.

Here’s the main thing that bugged me about the posts in question – in Zanstorm’s, there was a portion that says something about a “dingbat American with that same ignorant attitude that Canadians and the rest of the world hate.” Ouch. As much as that hurts, this sucks too (from RudyKelly) “Hockey is what makes Canada unique on the global scene, and if you lose that then the only thing you’ll have left are moose and flannel.” That was fairly stereotypical and it’s nothing people haven’t said before but still… The cheap shots at each other really go nowhere as neither side is willing to concede defeat. Now, I love me some America and I love me some Canada; in fact, I tend to get in monstrous fights (debates) when someone dares to badmouth either country. As close as we are, though, I don’t see the point in separating us further by stupid boundaries, some of which don’t need to exist.

To my family in the Great White North, I love you and you keep claiming your hockey, don’t let anyone make you feel bad about it. We love you that way! And to my cocky and egotistical thieving brothers, say it loud – I’m an American hockey lover and I’m proud!!

I absolutely love this game and there’s no one that can convince me that my love isn’t true because of my geographic location; it’s pretty silly to even try. At the end of the day, we all love the game and want it to succeed so that we can keep enjoying it for as long as humanly possible. Keep it together bloggers, there’s no need to get so angry… after all, “it’s only game!”

Team Squee (For The Twin)

2007-12-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

Alrighty, alrighty. The twin has assigned me a Squee Team and it is now my duty to reciprocate the favor. First, though, let me comment on her choices. In my head, I pictured Vesa Toskala as my dream goalie although I assumed she would pick someone like Rick DiPietro or Jose Theodore for me, just for the "I'm a disgusting pig" aura that these men exude. I never even thought of Bryzgalov (don't I feel stupid?), but I'm glad she chose him, he'll fit in quite nicely.

The forwards were dead on, I couldn't have chosen a more squee worthy bunch. As for defensemen, I was expecting a sucker punch like Chris Pronger just to be mean... luckily I got away easy, with just one missing tooth and a whole lot of attitude. Better than I expected. Cheers, twin.

On to Team BethanSquee - -

The easiest position to fill here is goalie. Martin Brodeur is obviously the goalie of Twin's dreams... and it's not hard to see why. He's leading the Eastern Conference in votes for the 2008 All Star team and with good reason. He's a hell of a goalie (arguably the best in the world) and even though he DID get beat by the Coyotes this week (had to throw that in there) he still manages to receive (deservedly so) the praise and devotion of a select group; Twin included.

I had a huge issue coming up with defensemen. I kept wanting to pick my favorites opposed to who I thought the twin might like... woops. Here's what I ended up with -

The first was relatively easy... my twin has a remarkable love for Ole-Kristian Tollefson who, I suppose, is cute in that "I'm a meathead... but a sweet one" sort of way. Half the time I want to punch him and the other half I want to cuddle him. Neither side has won out yet but I'll keep you posted.

The 2nd d-man I chose for Bethany was Henrik Tallinder because, well, why the hell not? Look, it's late, I'm tired and I'm running every single defenseman through my head over and over again and coming up with squat. I can give her Tallinder or the root of all evil, Chris Pronger... who's it going to be? Tallinder? I thought so.

On to the Right Wing! I almost put this guy remembering what a *huge* fan she is of the fattie but then it dawned on me that Brian McGrattan (hereby dubbed "Husband Material" or "HM" ©) was also a right winger and so I made a quick decision. Love or lust?

Love wins out in the end and HM was awarded the prestigious title of Captain Squee on Team Bethansquee. I won't go so far as to pretend I get it but that's the beauty of it, I don't have to agree, this is Twin's team and she loves her some Brian McGrattan. Maybe because he looks all big and burly like a logger?? Hmm... it could happen.

Mr. Left Wing was a bit harder to find a decent picture of. I have this disease that absolutely *refuses* to allow me to post pictures of him as an Oiler. Therefore I had to dig around to find one wherein he wasn't sporting that caveman Playoff Beard... you guessed it. Dustin Penner (squee)!

I'm not 100% sure what it is about the Pennersquee that makes grown women collapse in to wimpering little girls (my guess is the eyes) but Penner has it down to a science. Twin is no exception, she has fallen under the curse and he's been named to Team Squee!

Now, I just wouldn't be me if I didn't name at least ONE Coyote in this post (because let's face it, we are the most beautiful team around, bar none) and so I've saved the Center for last as he just so happens to be a Phoenix Coyote and an all-around doll of a guy.

Martin Hanzal is a fantabulous play-maker and once he learns to use his size to his advantage he'll be damn near unstoppable. Take note, though, you'll hear no "It's because I'm so *tall*" excuses from this boy... he's a stand up guy with an awesome sense of humor and I'm sure he's proud to be the centerpiece of Team BethanSquee.

Eat your hearts out ladies, this team is known to knock the socks (and/or other articles of clothing) off of even the toughest defenses out there. Hold on to your knickers when they stroll through town.

Suck on THAT!

2007-12-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

All my phone calls to Telly must have paid off because my boys beat Brodeur and his band of minions yesterday 4-1. Sorry Marty, you got served. The game was non-televised for all of you unlucky enough (or unspoiled enough, in my case) to have Centre Ice... :)

All I can say is that I'm so glad I pay that extra 50 bucks a month to get this junk because these last two games have been ones that I would have kicked myself for missing! First we exorcise the demons and then we move on to MSG to take on the Rangers and we absolutely spank them in their house.

How fantastic must Freddie be feeling right now? Goals in the last couple of games? Playing outrageously well and pretty much rubbing it in Gretz's face. "Look at me now, TGO! You want to play games and scratch me? Check out my goals! In your face!" God I love that guy.

Also, how proud am I of Joel Perrault? He shows back up from San Antonio and snaps em off, two goals tonight against the Rangers. Yeah, I said Joel Perrault and two goals. Be jealous world. Granted, he's sort of taken over Ziggy's place so I can't necessarily love him but then again I'm not naive enough to assume that the Zig is safe so I'm good with it. If he gets replaced, he gets replaced. There's always Mueller and *Baby!*.

Who Called It??

2007-12-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

Me... that's who. Kyle Turris has been (as previously assumed) named to Team Canada along with Stefan Legein from el team-o twin-o. They'll be playing for Canada in Prague after Christmas this year and I, for one, am jealous. That's one place that I truly want to visit (not a word Steph!)

That being said, we're in the first intermission of the game vs the Devils right now so Go Coyotes and let's get back to it!!

I Saw The Future...

2007-12-14T13:11:00.000-07:00

And it's not pretty...

But it IS hilarious.

Check out this video and tell me how awesome that old lady is at the end. That's actually Finny in 40 years. Shh. Don't tell her I told you!

Warning - Pissed off Fangirl Approaching...

2007-12-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

I'm a little over-angry these last couple of days, nothing seems to be going right so I apologize that this teensie little article is the thing that sends me over the edge.

First of all, it's a joke that the writer insinuates that the only reason we beat the Kings was because of Rob Blake getting ejected. If that's the case, what are the excuses for the other three *count them, THREE* wins? If, as he says, we just happened to catch a break in that game then the Kings REALLY suck seeing as they couldn't beat us on a day we didn't "catch a lucky break".

I'm not saying my boys are fantabulous because I know we have a long way to go but it really drives me bonkers when no one gives the Coyotes any credit. When we win, we're lucky and when we lose, we suck. It's a double-edged sword no matter what we do and it stinks.

We have some really talented young guys on this team and they work their asses off. Sure, they're still learning the 'way of the NHL' and there are bound to be growing pains but damnit, they want this; you can see it in their faces every time they step onto the ice. The "break" we need is for everyone to stop making us a joke and give us a friggin' pat on the back when we do something right instead of assuming it was just a fluke and writing us off.

Go Kings Go!

2007-12-08T16:57:00.000-07:00

Good looking out to KMS2 for pimping out the Kings and allowing me to latch on to her musings like a leech. My brain is pretty much mud tonight so I can't form any coherent thoughts that make me laugh so I'm sure they will be useless to everyone else. I'll try and post something of my own creation later if I have the ability. Until then, enjoy!

The Kings are coming off of a huge win in which 6 different players scored. However, the Kings haven't had much success against Phoenix this season (0-3-0) and have only scored two goals in those three games. If we can get any goals tonight they will most likely come from the top line of Michael Cammalleri, Dustin Brown, and Anze Kopitar.

So far this season the top line leads the Kings in scoring with a combined 78 points. Kopi is more of the playmaker but he has capitalized on scoring chances. Cammy is the main goal scorer of the trio and watch for his signature move of shooting with one knee on the ice. He may look a bit goofy when he gets into that position but I'm inclined to say there's a 97% chance he'll score a goal when he does it. Brown is the most physical player on this line and can deliver crushing hits and draw penalties. His skills are much improved over his previous seasons and I think he's finally becoming the player the team saw in him when he was drafted in the first round (13th overall) in the 2003 NHL Draft.

The Kings do have some positives going for them. Their power play has finally been getting back on track the past three games. For awhile the Kings could barely enter the offensive zone on the power play. Lately they've been able to not only enter the zone but cycle it around very well and get a goal.

The Kings do have weaknesses, which is probably why we're bringing up the Western Conference...with Phoenix! (But Phoenix does have one game in hand.) Lately the team has had problems holding onto a lead. Even though the Kings led the Sabres 4-0 after the first period, I kept thinking the game wasn't over because the Kings have had horrendous second periods and I figured it wasn't out of the question that Buffalo could notch at least 2 goals, maybe even 3 in the second period and all of a sudden be back in the game.

In November we lost a game to Anaheim 2-3 after being up 2-0 after the first. In December we played Colorado, were up 2-1 after the first and ended up losing the game 2-5. Next up was Edmonton in which we led 1-0 after the first lost the game 3-4 (in SO). I could list plenty of games in which the Kings scrounged a lead or even just allowed the opposition to get back in the game. The Kings need to play a solid 60 minutes and until they do so they can say good-bye to any chance of getting out of the Western Conference cellar.

In November we lost a game to Anaheim 2-3 after being up 2-0 after the first. In December we played Colorado, were up 2-1 after the first and ended up losing the game 2-5. Next up was Edmonton in which we led 1-0 after the first lost the game 3-4 (in SO). I could list plenty of games in which the Kings scrounged a lead or even just allowed the opposition to get back in the game. The Kings need to play a solid 60 minutes and until they do so they can say good-bye to any chance of getting out of the Western Conference cellar.

I Can't Hear the Bell

2007-12-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

Brendan Bell is this season's Matt Jones for the Coyotes. Just when he starts getting comfortable again, he gets bounced back and forth between here and San Antonio. But of course they get their money's worth out of him, not by playing him but by sending him out to do all the player appearances around town. Poor guy, I feel for him, I do; he just can't catch a break.

I maintain the same stance I had on the Matt Jones front last year, how the hell is he supposed to find his legs with the Coyotes and in the NHL if he only gets to play 2 games and gets sent back to the Rampage? I guess it's still not up to me, regardless of how irritating it may or may not be.

No matter, I'm sure they'll end up recalling him in a couple weeks.

What's Your Purpose In Blog-land, Ms. Tracy?

2007-12-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

Alright, alright, simmer down now. The HNiC piece on hockey bloggers has the world in chaos, some bloggers are ecstatic; the world is finally taking notice. Other bloggers are looking at it as being another way to dictate the way we should do, well, whatever it is we do.

My personal opinion? I wrote when there was no one reading, I wrote when there were 150 hits a day and I'll continue to write, whether for myself or for all of you fine people. An audience is all fine and dandy but it doesn't change what the blog is to me. Let's be honest here, I am really all that matters in this situation. This is my own little piece of heaven here in the midst of all this insanity and I intend to keep it, regardless of what any media outlet or casual fan might think. So stick that in your juice box and, well, you know the rest.

That being said, the ladies over at IPB have decided it was high time to take stock of our surroundings and get introspective. The age-old "what is my purpose" question has come in to play and I for one am willing to tackle it head on so without further ado -- What am I really doing here?

1. What was your motivation for starting blogging? Has that changed at all in the time you’ve been blogging?
My motivation was one of simple pleasures. I had nothing else to do with my time besides nurse my love for hockey. Unfortunately, living in a virtually hockey-less environment, there weren't many people I could call up and gab to for hours on end about such and such stupid plays, etc. So I talked to myself. In the beginning, I had 3 readers that I knew of; myself, my best friend at the time, Amanda, and my mom. Now, I could have just talked to them face to face but as someone who doesn't possess a lot of self-control when it comes to running her mouth, I might have kept jabbering away at them far after they'd stopped listening. So I blogged. Luckily for me, I didn't have to impress anyone because my first posts were pretty much just regurgitating any other news source (more on that in a later post).

2. What do you think your blog contributes to the hockey conversation?
Well, at the root of all the BS, it's a love story. Sure, hockey and I have our ups and downs, I call it a stupid whore and it beats me up occasionally, but at the end of the day, we fall into bed together and realize why we continue this dance. Ok, seriously, I want to say that I bring a side of humor to any situation relating to my Coyotes and just generally bring them out into the world. Aside from myself, there are 2 other Coyotes blogs that I know of and we all have a different style of blogging. I feel that we are all working together to bring some level of love to our desert dogs and in the end, that's all that really matters.

3. What do you want to get out of the blogs you read?
I want to be entertained. I don't want just the stats and black and white reporting, I love the personal touches bloggers throw in. Their stories of interaction with other fans and players and things that 'traditional media' maybe doesn't have access to; the realness of the sport and it's fans.

4. What determines which blogs you read and which you don’t?
The blogs that I read need to be witty and have some sort of variety. Obviously they need to make some sort of sense and the blogger should be able to string two sentences together without coming off as a complete tool. I started out reading a plethora (oooh, big word) of different blogs but over the last year I've scratched it down to the ones that I can actually sit down and read without my eyes glazing with boredom. Normally, this means that I actually care about the team but not always. I can sit and read Steph's rantings on the Red Wings for hours, not because I actually care about them but because she's hilarious and she knows her hockey, not to mention she cares about them and that shines through.

5. How important is the issue of gaining press access to you as a blogger?
It's not. I'm sure that it could be a rewarding experience but, as previously stated, I write for me. I can just as easily come up with my random musings sitting on my couch as I can sitting in the arena or in the press box. I don't need credentials to prove to people that I can write (and some of you may disagree with me on that); I'm a fan first, blogger second and I wouldn't have it any other way.

6. To what extent do you feel accountable for the content of your blog?
I feel entirely accountable. Everything I post is something that I put out in the world for people to see. I understand that I am the only access some have to the Coyotes and although I can be a sarcastic wench at times, I don't want to paint my team in anything but the best light. I've never had a day where I've been like, "Oh well they shouldn't have taken me seriously, I'm just a blogger." If that's my attitude, I need to start a personal and private blog because one about sports is going to get read if it's worth anything at all. Personally, I'd rather not have people reading my stuff and thinking, "Man, this girl is an idiot."

7. How concerned are you about the authority and accountability of the blogs you read? Do you find it difficult to judge the authority and accountability of the blogs you read?
It's not difficult at all to judge. After being a blogger for so long and a blog-reader even longer, you get a certain feel for which blogs are ones you can trust and which ones to steer clear of. I think it's important for bloggers to show a sort of professionalism in their blogs or it just gives mainstream media more reasons to look down on us and trash us.

8. What value, if any, do you think blogging brings to the NHL?
Not just to the NHL but to any circle where blogging is involved, it gives you a different perspective on things. Blogging gives you access to markets that you might not have had if it weren't for that certain someone sitting behind their laptop and laying it all out for the world to see. All in all, blogs bring people together in a way that newspapers and magazines can't do. Take the HLOG for example, our voices are all completely different but we've still managed to make it work somehow and that's the beauty of the blogosphere.

And with that, this is Coyote Tracy, signing off.

Team Canada, Eh?

2007-12-03T15:46:00.000-07:00

Really, what else matters?

It would seem that a couple of my babies (including Baby #1) have been invited to attend the selection camp for Team Canada. If chosen, they will represent Canada at the World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic.

Honestly, is there even a smidge of doubt that Mr. Turris will make the team? I just finished reading an article on the Badgers website that called him a 'lock' and I'd have to agree. It would just be silly not to pick him considering how well he's doing.

Call me a broken record if you will but this is one chick who can't wait to have Kyle Turris in Coyote red and sand.

Something's Been On My Mind

2007-12-01T18:08:00.000-07:00

That reporter said I have one of those expressive faces... 'A face that can tell a story.'

I'm a big guy!

How I've Missed You

2007-12-01T15:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome back my boy Billy Thomas who was recalled today from the San Antonio Rampage. Don't laugh at me but I opened the email and squee'd over the news. I love him to pieces and I'm quite excited that he's back up and ready to play his little ass off.

Hope to see you at a game soon my sweet, I've missed you like crazy.

I Have Been Slacking

2007-11-29T09:02:00.000-07:00

And I apologize. Between holiday goodness and NaNoWriMo (more Finny's than mine, really), I've been busy and haven't had a chance to blog about anything. It's sad, really, because in between my being a slacker, I've missed some of the best news we've gotten all season. Settle in kiddies, we've got some news to be had.

First, and most important, we claimed Ilya Bryzgalov off of waivers... my favorite saying, however, is that we stole him from Finny, Cassie and the rest of the Quackers. They don't really appreciate that much so let's try to stick to the facts, yes?

We claimed Bryz off of waivers on Saturday the 17th of November and less than an hour later he was in a car on his way to KMS2 and LA to hop in net vs. the Kings. Hop in net, he did, my dears. He managed to get his first shutout as a Coyote in his first game as a Coyote. That may have been enough to endear him in the minds of some Coyotes fans but the majority were still holding their breath to see how he would pan out with us.

Next game, we turned around and played the Kings again, here in Phoenix, and managed to beat them again. It was getting a little harder to ignore this new "Breeze" in the desert, but wait, this epic has only just begun. 4 games, 4 wins. The Kings twice, then the Ducks and top it off with the Leafs. Bryz, you're going to fit in just fine.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and the Coyotes fell to the Minnesota Wild last night, 3-1. My boys tried, god love em, but those stinkin' Wild were all over the place. I don't remember them being so fast paced earlier this year. I'm actually not that worried about it. We gave it the old NHL try and I can't fault them for that.

Since everything involving the Coyotes has centered around Ilya Bryzgalov lately, I think it's time to move on and talk about someone else from the team.

Keith Ballard will soon have himself a matching Freddie scar... he was apparently hit with a puck in practice and has something outrageous like 12 stitches in his chin. Also, goalie Alex Auld was sent to San Antonio where he replaced David Aebischer who was loaned to HC Lugano of Switzerland. The Rampage don't seem to be getting any closer to paring down their 3-headed goaldog, but I'm sure sooner or later something will happen there. After all, Lenny, Tordjy and Auld can't keep BSing all year... or maybe they can but it seems rather pointless to me.

Handsome Hanzal

2007-11-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

So I'm re-watching our game vs. the Ducks on Saturday the 3rd (From when Carcillo couldn't stop fighting, no matter what else was going on on the ice) and I'm watching towards the end when there's a huge scrum behind Auld and I realize that Satan (Pronger) skates up to either join the fight or break it up; who really knows? And since he's so big, most of our players let him get right to his business. Next up you see an arm snake around his head and yank him backwards and away from the group. I am laughing hard by this point and trying to catch sight of who it is.

Much to my surprise, they zoom out and you see Hanzal, looking very rough-n-tumble with his meaty arm wrapped around Pronger's neck. I think now is the time, my dear Martin, to tell you that I've fallen in love with you.

I Was Wrong... Nothing New There

2007-11-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

I was in the middle of my game last night against the San Jose Sharks and I was thinking of posting a retraction since Doan was, in fact, on the ice and Auld was, in fact, in net. A few minutes later I didn't have to worry about one of those things anymore as Alex Auld was pulled from net and the Tellymonster was put in.

So fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, I was right on both counts. Telly did end up in net and Doan definitely was not playing. Luckily for him, the rest of our team wasn't so big on the 'playing' factor either.

This is the first game in my life that I've sincerely thought about walking out on. As shot after shot sailed into our net with little to no resistance on our part, my RLS started acting up and I wanted to jump out of my seat and go home to write. Unfortunately, that little voice in my head that is eternally optimistic was yelling at me to stay put. After all, something could happen. It didn't, but it could have... Also, what kind of fan would I be to bitch about other people leaving early and then turn right around and do it myself?? So I stayed.

We ended up losing all 3 games of the series against the Sharks; 3 games, 3 losses, 3 in-a-row. It was pretty devastating. The one thing that got me through the game was this --

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

I don't care how many times they replayed that on the jumbotron... it never got old. Ballard, how I love that butt of yours, it can single-handedly annihilate whole teams. It's fantastic.

That being said, and let's be completely honest here, I'm pretty sick of talking about the game already... I'd like to point you in the direction of a beautifully written article by fellow HLOGer, Nano-buddy and all-around partner in crime -- Finny!!

On With the News

2007-11-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

Gratton's out, Bell's in.

Boynton and Doan are out. Telly's in.

That's pretty much what you need to know... but I'm willing to clarify for those of you not keeping up.

Gratton & Bell were both waived, one a-coming and the other a-going; neither was claimed so as yours truly is typing this, Gratts is settling into life in San Antonio and Bell is bringing goofyback here in Phoenix. I wonder where that leaves Danny Carcillo, last I heard they were still roommates. Poor Danny, no one to practice new fighting techniques on for a while... I don't see Bell being the type that likes it rough (no pun intended).

Boynts is the proud owner of a one-game suspension and with good reason. After all, rules are rules my dear readers... you can't just give Boynton a suspension for instigating one night and then let another player (we'll call him Pronger, just for this discussion) get away with pretty much the same thing. That just wouldn't be right. We here in the NHL like to treat our players fairly.

...Wait, what? Pronger didn't get suspended for instigating? Well, gollygeewhiz... my systems are crashing. Remind me why my very own Porn-Stache is serving a suspension again?? Oh yeah, rules are rules.

Doan, it would seem, is old. He's swung naked from one too many chandeliers in his house playing games with the wife and now he's paying for it... the back is acting up. I, personally, don't buy it for a second. I think he just wants to get out of playing the Sharks in our home arena and this was a good excuse as any. :P I'm just joking... hope your back feels better soon, Captain. We miss you when you're out.

Telly in net tonight. Pray for us.

The Hot Topic

2007-11-15T12:17:00.000-07:00

I'm neither a whore, nor a prude... and I'm also not a gossip site so I've tried to stay away from this. Unfortunately, the hot topic of the day is Jiri Tlusty and his show... Honestly, I don't see the big deal. So the guy was showing off his goodies to some random Facebook wench; he's not the first and I'm sure he won't be the last. I can't count on my fingers how many celebrities (both male and female) that I've seen more of then I wanted to. You know how many made an impact on me? Zero! Ok, one, if you count Pete Wentz but I've had a thing for him for years...

So Jiri is 19 years old, exposes himself to the world (via private pictures) and all of a sudden people are going crazy. I mean, I've been reading opinions on the whole thing and according to some people he may as well have killed his mother. He's naked folks... at one point or another we've all (or hopefully will for some of you) seen it. What's the big deal??

Moving on --

I have a question for those of you who are fans of teams that have done a rebuild at one point... whether Phoenix or another team. Did you ever consider (or follow through) leaving your team in the dust?

Let's paint a picture, you and me: Say your team hypothetically has a season record of 7-9-0, you can't get upset because you KNEW going into the season that it was going to be bad, no? As long as your team is putting forth the effort, it's okay, yes??

Wrong, apparently. All I'm hearing from Coyotes fans this year is how they want to cancel their season tickets and how disappointed they are in the on-ice product. What?! How can you honestly be disappointed? First of all, the guys are playing their little hearts out, they're giving us a show and isn't that supposed to be what it's all about? Second of all, we all knew, right from the beginning, that this year was going to be a painful year. It's like puberty, it's uncomfortable, you hate life and then just like that it's over.

I promise you, whiny 'fans' that it will get better. Getting rid of your season tickets and bitching day-in and day-out about what the Coyotes are or are not doing helps no one.

Ohhhh, BABY!!

2007-11-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

Why Can't It Be This Good Everyday?

2007-11-08T14:03:00.001-07:00

CONGRATS MUELLER!!!

2007-11-07T23:17:00.000-07:00

Oh Peter, my love for you has never faltered. At the beginning of this year I may have said you weren't playing the way I was used to you playing and I know that I hurled curses in your direction for being afraid on more than one occasion but it's all worth it today baby because you just scored your FIRST CAREER NHL HATTRICK!!

I Couldn't Shut My Mouth...

2007-11-04T15:54:00.000-07:00

Wow, isn't my face red? After my last post telling the ducks how much they stink, they turned around and completely flattened us. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, though. Good news first.

The lights went out in Dallas on Friday night as we beat the hell out of the Stars, 5-0. I was hoping against hope that Turco would play but Smith was the starter and I was a little disappointed. After the first two goals, though, it didn't matter because Smith was pulled and poor Turco ended up letting in 3 more goals. Between my texts to Bethany *TUUUUUUURRRRCCCO..... TUUUUUUUURRRRCCCCOO!*; her not answering me correctly (damn you bitchany) and my frequent squeals of glee, it managed to be a damn fine game.

Kapanen, Carcillo, Doan, Hanzal & Vrabata all contributed goals to the final score. Luckily Centre Ice loves me and I was able to watch this game. I can't even imagine having to hear about it after and hating myself for not being able to watch. I mean, would YOU want to miss this --

Yeah, me neither. But I was able to watch it as it happened so for all you non-centre-ice-having schmucks -- IN YOUR FACE! Holla! Haha.

Ok, so obviously I was beyond stoked last night after the shutout and I was hoping that the good luck streak would continue through last night and the game vs. Anaheim but my hopes were dashed as we took one stupid penalty after another and couldn't seem to get any goals.

Carcillo, god love him, could not keep his fiery little Italian temper in check last night. I mean, this kid was all over the place, I think it was his mission to get in a fight with every single Duck on the roster last night. He came pretty close. I'm amazed that I can't find any pictures of any of his fights anywhere on the web (of course, I haven't looked THAT hard yet) but when I do, I'll post them up. The guy seriously had anger management issues last night. Charging, unsportsmanlike conduct... oh boy. Seriously, every time the guy went on the ice and I saw his hands start to shake off his gloves my hands went either up in the air in exasperation or to my hair to pull it out.

Baby, just a little advice, when your coach tells your to keep control of your attitude, I'd go ahead and work on that. I'm thinking it may not be the smartest thing to do to have your coach keep having to jump up your ass about controlling your nasty ass temper. As a huge fan of yours, I love you to death. You have serious heart and I wouldn't change a single thing about you. I love when you fight and I love that you have no fear. I even love that you're a hard-headed/hot-headed, feisty player but sweetheart, one more ten minute misconduct or game penalty and I'm going to rip out every one of your pretty little teeth. Just a heads up... :)

Finny, I can't even really say it was a good game because we pretty much got killed but it was fast paced if you count all the fights and how much our teams wanted to murderlize each other. Good times.

Oh! And I promised I would blog this so that one day I can look back and see that, yes, at one point I did have a moment of feeling for this shithead.

Pronger - I loved him for about 25 seconds last night. I was sitting minding my own sweet business when he skated in front of me and turned, waiting for the face-off. When he looked my way, I did what any self-respecting hockey fan would do and I stuck my tongue out at him. Before you get angry, Pronger-fans, it wasn't in hate. It was just something that happened spur of the moment and it was funny. He, of course, did what any guy would do when confronted with a 20-something sitting in the crowd at a hockey game sticking out their tongue would do... he laughed at me. That only caused me to laugh and so when he turned to get back to the task at hand (killing my team) he gave me a goofy gap-toothed grin, a wink (or maybe he got sweat in his eye) and went back to business. I have to say that I felt the love for him in those few brief seconds but if anyone ever brings it up again, I'll deny it to the death.

Also, I don't think I've ever paid much attention to Parros before but last night I was looking at him closely and DAMN! That moustache is frightening. It kind of looks like it's taking over his whole face and will soon expand and reign destruction over the whole world. Beware.

Do Ducks Drown?

2007-10-27T15:26:00.000-06:00

Dear Duckies,

I don't know if I ever actually congratulated you on winning the Stanley Cup last year, so congrats. That being said, what's going on with you this year? I understand the injury bug (that usually feeds off of Coyotes) bit you early, and HARD, this year but DAMN. I also understand that your team is a little lacking in oomph considering the fates of Teemu Selanne & Scott Neidermeyer are still up in the air. I get it, really I do.

With all that out there, you guys are really stinkin' the place up lately and you just played US! That's saying something... and not something good.

Maybe you forgot that hockey games are 60 minutes long? Maybe you forgot that to win, the little rubber disc must go IN the net behind the weird looking guy standing there covered in pads. Either way, please retrieve yours heads from wherever you have stashed them and start playing the game again. I know you're better than this.

Love,
Your Non-Fan,
Tracy

As I said earlier, we DID play the ducks earlier this week and it wasn't pretty... for them. For us, it was damn near fantastic. Craig Weller scored his first career goal and my boy Daniel Carcillo managed to hold his temper through another game. God love him.

I'm still not sure what's going on with Shane Doan. His normal spunk is missing lately and every time I see him on the bench he looks like he wants to kill himself, poor guy. He's truly beating himself up over not being able to get that monkey off his back. It's ok, though, it's not just him. There's something this season about these good players not being able to get it done. Ask Cheechoo, he'll tell you all about it. :) I give them another couple of weeks and everything will go back to normal and all will be right in the world.

As far as Auld, homeboy is eating his Wheaties or something because DAMN, he had it going on!! He did what he was supposed to do even though his job just became 'secure'. Now it's just him and Telly fighting for that spot. I don't think it really matters now which one of them is the number one, because neither of them are number ones... Let them split the starting spot and have done with it. Teach our boys to play the way they SHOULD be playing and let's get this party started!! (Preferably with more wins than losses.)

Now That I'm Home

2007-10-26T16:16:00.000-06:00

Say 'Hello' to Martin Hanzal

Poor guy, he tries so hard to understand English and give intelligent answers. Matt Rosen, you should be ashamed of yourself for teasing the poor little Czech when you KNOW he doesn't speak very good English... but I HAVE to hand it to the boy, he rolls with it and gives it all he's got. As a man, he's a real doll; he seems rather quiet and shy but we don't mind. As a player, he's much more than I expected this year. I fully expected him to start out in the AHL and make his way up later in the season but shame on me for devaluing the little/big guy. He's a strong player and he'll only get better as he has more chances.

Waggle your fingers at Matt Jones

Honestly, and this is no disrespect to Matt, but I can't remember a thing about his interview. I was MUCH too busy paying attention to his adorable baby who, while we're on the subject, looks EXACTLY like his daddy. Little Hunter definitely stole the show and if he could talk I'm sure he would have been the one being interviewed. Sorry, daddy, you just didn't stand up to a cute little baby wearing a hockey jersey, big, rosy cheeks and immense blue eyes.

Wave at Steven Reinprecht

This was the picture I was talking about earlier in the week that went along with the "get off your ass" speech. Haha. Poor guy, I'm fairly certain he'll run next time he sees me coming but I don't mind, we've had our good times and I'll have those memories forever! Haha.

There was a point in the show when he and Matt were talking about Steve having Peter Mueller & Mike Zigomanis over for dinner and that was the night that Ziggy & Peter both got goals... now that Reino has also scored his first of the season, I am more convinced than ever that it was either Mrs. Reino's lasagna or her strawberry shortcake that holds that magic. I'm looking into it.

Best quote of that night - "They don't get a lot of chances for home-cooked meals; well, Ziggy doesn't anyway and he's always on the lookout for a hot meal." Maybe it's just me but that honestly had me laughing. I kind of pictured the family member that always shows up for dinner but never pays you back or tries to help in any way... or if you're a "Half-Baked" fan, the "Scavenger Smoker".

Sing Hello/Goodbye to Freddy Meyer

No, not the band. Poor guy, he begs me to take a picture with him and then he's placed on waivers and sent to San Antonio. It's just not fair... just when he meets the most awesome blogger/fan ever. :P Oh well, Freddy, I'm sure we'll see you around. If not, then enjoy the new baby and your life. It was great while it lasted!

AND NOW, THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR ---- FREDDIE SJOSTROM!! Oh, and Niko Kapanen. :)

It was fun. Hooters is one of my least favorite places for player parties... second only to Walmart... whoever came up with that idea needs to just give it back. Anyway, aside from the location, the party itself was a pretty good time. It was my first time ever meeting Kapanen, mostly because he kind of scared me. Honestly, meeting him didn't do anything to change that. I love the boy but DAMN he looks like a serial killer. Notice the picture of him and Francis above, now if that's not a man who wants to murder you in your sleep just to watch you die, I don't know what is. Haha.

As far as Freddie, I've always loved him. He has the best sense of humor and he doesn't take my dorkiness very seriously. I love not getting the "this broad is crazy" look around him when I'm loud and obnoxious. What can I say? I started blogging because I have a lot to say, you think that's different face-to-face? Nay.

All in all, great company and good times. I love you all, we'll do it again soon.