And You Were Wondering If Hockey Could Succeed In The Desert?

Phoenix Coyotes fans have been through a lot, and most of their difficulties been brought on by a Canadian media that believes hockey doesn't belong in the desert. They've been fueled by low attendance and troubled ownership throughout the saga, but Wednesday night's playoff game between the 'Yotes and Red Wings was a victory for Phoenix hockey fans, according to SBN's Five For Howling.

Ok, I don't even really know how to start this thing today.  What an amazing game last night was...the entire playoff atmosphere around Jobing.com Arena was completely amazing.  If anyone who watched this game or was at the arena still has some doubts about the viability of hockey in Phoenix...well, you must be David Shoalts.  Seriously, I've been to some crazy amped up arenas in my day, and that was simply amazing.  Standing ovations for penalty kills midway through the second period...the fans were engaged, loud and louder.  The Coyotes started the game a bit jittery as Tippett said in his presser, but they really took the play to the Red Wings in the second and third periods.

I cannot wait until Friday night.

Hate them for not showing up when the team was terrible, perhaps, but there's no better medicine for a struggling franchise than some bonding tools between fans and of course, winning hockey.