SB Nation User Blog: OdinMercer

Coyotes @ Ducks - Game #17 Gamethread - YOU'RE GOING DOWN WIZZER!

OdinMercer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:39:43 -0000

Phoenix Coyotes		Anaheim Ducks

10-6-0		5-7-2
20 Points		12 Points
5th in Western Conference		14th in Western Conference

Location: Honda Center
Start Time: 8:00 pm
TV: None Local
Radio: XTRA 910 AM
Opposition Blogs: Anaheim Calling and Battle of California

We're gonna hit you! Go Yotes Go!

Comment away!

Coyotes at Ducks - Game #17 Preview - It's Gonna Get Bumpy

OdinMercer — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:32:10 -0000

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

10 days ago: Phoenix Coyotes' Paul Bissonnette (12) fights with George Parros (16) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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The Phoenix Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks last met a week ago in a game in Phoenix. It was your average Ducks and Coyotes game until James Wisniewski decided to hit Shane Doan in the face with a forearm and elbow. Doan was woozy after the hit and the Coyotes were just plain pissed. Things were more than a little chippy from that point on. The hits were quite a bit harder and Doan even dropped the gloves with Wizneiwski and got even. Though I'm not so sure that's over with so it should be another hard hitting game tonight (That most here won't see on tv)

Five for Winning

It's Bryz Again: Ilya Bryzgalov is still getting the majority of the starts for the team. Jason LaBarbera was brought in to relieve him and push him, but hasn't really done that. Bryz will get a few days off as the next game isn't until Thursday, but It would also suck to have him get burned out down the stretch. He did great against the Hawks, so hopefully he can keep it up tonight.

Don't let the Hitting Get in the Way: While having a certain amount of physicality going on can make for an intense game, we can't let it be the sole focus and get us off our game. That's exactly what happened for a couple periods last week against them before we bounced back, but I imagine that the Coyotes will come in with a game plan that combines both hitting and skill.

Weather the injuries: Zbynek Michalek is still out with a leg injury of some sort as it's been reported that he has a walking cast on, Kurt Sauer is still out as well. Now Ed Jovanovski is Day-to-Day too. He made the trip with the team to California though, so he may be good to go. If not Shaun Heshka, who was just called up will start in his place. David Schlemko was solid on Thursday and will get Michalek's spot again tonight.

Keep the Special teams Up: 10th in PP% and 13th in PK% is the best our team has had in a Looooooong time. We're far enough into the season to see that it's not just a fluke anymore. In past seasons, the special teams were atrocious on both ends. Our new defensive system has the PK working well and though we don't get much offense in general we find ways to make it happen on the PP.

Getting the Role Players Involved: Daniel Winnik has looked great in this new system. He gets to hot, but in the odd point and leads the team in +/- at a +5. Peter Mueller got his first goal of the year in the last game as well. We need both of these guys to be playing at the top of their games to keep this team in contention.

I'll be watching tonight (I hope).

GO YOTES!

Coyotes Finally Solve Blackhawks In 3-1 Victory

OdinMercer — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:47:13 -0000

More photos » by Matt York - AP

5 days ago: Phoenix Coyotes' Peter Mueller (88) scores against Chicago Blackhawks goalie Cristobal Huet, of France, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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The Phoenix Coyotes have not done well against the Chicago Blackhawks in the past, but tonight, figured out that if they jumped on them early they could make good things happen. Less than 3 minutes into the first period. Martin Hanzal took a pass from Ed Jovanovski into the zone and did just a simple deke which Cristobal Huet bit on and put it right past him for an easy goal. Later in the period Peter Mueller would finally break out of his season long slump getting his first goal. Shane Doan passed the puck to Martin Hanzal in front of the net. Huet made a pad save on his deflection, but Peter Mueller was there to bat it home to extend the lead to 2.

Midway through the 3rd Scottie Upshall would make it 3-0 on a sick wrister that Huet could make the move to get to. David Schlemko, just up from San Antonio made a perfect cross ice pass to set him up an Huet wasn't even close. Though just minutes later the Blackhawks took advantage of a terrible Power Play sequense by the Coyotes to get a shorthanded goal. Not Bryz's finest moment of the night, but with all the other insane saves he made I'm not going to sweat the one goal much.

Other Notes:

Ed Jovanovski appears to have twisted or sprained an ankle. That's not good considering we're down Sauer and Michalek already. No word on the severity of the injury yet but hopefully it's not bad as Michalek is apparently walking around with a cast on his leg and Sauer is still a little ways from coming back.
Seeing Peter Mueller finally get that monkey off his back was great. Hopefully it gets him going as we could use the offensive output.
Our PK was pretty solid tonight, not allowing and PP goals on 6 tries. THe guys did a good job of limiting the time in the zone and protected the blueline very well, frustrating the Chicago PP guys.
On the flipside, our power play has look awful. We can't get in the zone and set for any amount of time. There was a minute here or there where we looked alright, but getting the shortie on us was unacceptable.
Ilya Bryzgalov was solid again. I really don't know what to say about him anmore. With the exception of an off night here or there he's really gotten this team to where it is.
David Schlemko looked pretty good out there, eating ice time and getting an assist.
Daniel Winnik has looked as good as I can remember him being. Hitting guys, blocking shots, digging for pucks and leading the team in +/- with a +5
Martin Hanzal is a beast. If you don't believe me, watch him shutdown your teams' superstars when we play you. Then you'll see. Solid again.

Coyotes vs. Blackhawks - Game #16 Gamethread - Anyone Got a Spare 20 Cents?

OdinMercer — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:30:01 -0000

Chicago Blackhawks		Phoenix Coyotes

8-4-1		9-6-0
17 Points		18 Points
3rd in Western Conference		5th in Western Conference

Location: Jobbing.com Arena
Start Time: 7:00 pm
TV: FSN-AZ
Radio: XTRA 910 AM
Opposition Blog: Second City Hockey

Time to bounce back boys. Make life hard for the Hawks tonight eh?

Coyotes vs. Blackhawks - Game #16 Preview

OdinMercer — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:55:25 -0000

More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

6 days ago: Colorado Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj (31), of Slovakia, deflects a shot redirected by Phoenix Coyotes center Matthew Lombardi (15) in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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The Phoenix Coyotes look to get off a 2 game skid tonight at Jobbing.com Arena against the Central Division leading Chicago Blackhawks. The road to this point hasn't been very easy as the Coyotes have played a lot of very talanted teams to get to 9-6. It doesn't get a whole lot easier tonight though as the Blackhawks have managed to get 17 points in only 13 game, giving them a 8-4-1 record. On the plus side they are only 2-2 away this year and other than traveling overseas to start the season, they really haven't had any extended roadtrips. Hopefully it's just a case of a hot home team, but we shall see tonight.

Five for Winning:

Come out to Play: Over the last few games, including a couple of the wins, the Coyotes simply haven't gotten off to good starts in the game. They had to come back against the Ducks on Halloween, Took a lead against Los Angeles on some flukey goals in a game that was flat for both sides, and then goes down a goal against Colorado just a minute in. THis hasn't been the intense team it was to start the season. Looks like maybe just some growing pains, but it had better be temporary.

Slog through the injuries: Zbynek Michalek and Scottie Upshall are both out with injuries as well and Kurt Sauer who has been out since the first game with some neck and head issues. David Schlemko and Mikkel Boedker will take their places in the lineup and need to play at a top level to make things work. On the plus side Jonathan Towes and Ben Eager are out for the hawks, so that'll help our side.

End the streak here: Lost two in a row, we haven't lost 3 in a row this season and it damn well better not start tonight. Having our winning streaks longer than our losing ones is what will carry this team to the playoffs in the end. We can't win everynight, but we better keep our heads well above water.

Be adaptable: Teams have started to figure us out, so change it up when necessary. We can't keep going back to the same things that didn't work 3 minutes ago and try it again and again. Change up your passing and entrances to minimize turnovers.

Be hungry: You guys just gave up at the end last night. UNACCEPTABLE. This team can't quit. Fight the battles everywhere and don't let one loss get you down.

GO YOTES!

Coyotes @ Avalanche - Game #15: Abominable Snowmen Addition

OdinMercer — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:51:08 -0000

Phoenix Coyotes		Colorado Avalanche

9-5-0		10-3-2
18 Points		22 Points
5th in Western Conference		1st in Western Conference

Location: Pepsi Center
Start Time: 7:00 pm
TV: FSN-AZ
Radio: XTRA 910 AM
Opposition Blog: Mile High Hockey

Something about these teams being 1st and 5th in the West respectively seems wrong somehow, but at the same time, oh so right.

Comment away!

Coyotes at Avalanche - Game #15 Preview

OdinMercer — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:14:09 -0000

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

8 days ago: Phoenix Coyotes' Petr Prucha, top, of the Czech Republic, gets sent to the ice by Los Angeles Kings' Brad Richardson in the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. The Kings defeated the Coyotes 5-3. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Both the Phoenix Coyotes and the Colorado Avalanche are coming off of some rough losses in their last contests. The Coyotes (9-5-0) were taken out in a sloppy game against the Kings in which there was no rhythm or flow in the game at all and Jason LaBarbera was playing for some reason. Oh. Right. It was so Ilya Bryzgalov could start tonight's game. We'll need him to do well since our goals will likely be few and far between against Craig Anderson. The Avs are also coming off a shutout loss to the Vancouver Canucks. It wasn't even to Roberto Luongo, but to Andrew Raycroft. That's demoralizing. Anyhow...

Five for Winning:

Put a couple behind Anderson: Seems Obvious, but not a lot of teams have gotten to the netminder so far this season. Time to start camping out in front and trying to get deflections. Whatever works.

Mind the Passing: Last game against the Kings wasn't all that great on the puck posession end for either team. We need to get control over our turnovers. It was maddening to see every pass go wrong on Monday, tonight has to be better.

Who to Watch out for: Wojtek Wolski, Paul Stasney, Milan Hejduk and Ryan O'Reilly account for 40% of the Avs' point total. Wolski is the Goals leader with 8 and Stasney and O'Reilly both have 9 assists

Bryz needs to be in Top Form tonight: As noted earlier, Craig Anderson has been a tough nut to crack this year so what few goals we do get need to be protected. THat means Bryz can't let in any soft ones tonight.

Will Mueller be back?: Peter Mueller was scratched from the lineup against the Kings again and Mikkel Boedker was called up from San Antonio. Not sure what the deal with Mueller is, but He's looked lost so far this season and needs to get working hard if he wants a place on this team. How he performs will determine his paycheck as he's an RFA at the end of the season.

Sorry for the lateness, but...

GO YOTES!!!

Coyotes vs. Kings - Game #14 Gamethread: Zombie Kopitar!

OdinMercer — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:04:25 -0000

Los Angeles Kings		Phoenix Coyotes

8-4-2		9-4-0
18 Points		18 Points
6th in Western Conference		5th in Western Conference

Location: Jobbing.com Arena
Start Time: 7:00 pm
TV: FSN-AZ
Radio: XTRA 910 AM
Opposition Blog: Battle of California

GO YOTES GO! GET 4 IN A ROW!

Coyotes vs. Kings (Part 3) - Game #14 Preview

OdinMercer — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:07:36 -0000

More photos » by Danny Moloshok - AP

about 1 month ago: Phoenix Coyotes' Scottie Upshall (8) celebrates his goal as Los Angeles Kings' Alec Martinez (53) goaltender Jonathan Quick, and Teddy Purcell, right, react during the first period of their NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)

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Only 14 games into the season and this will be the third time the Phoenix Coyotes will be playing the Los Angeles Kings. That's pretty nuts. Facing them three times before we've even seen the Stars? Who the heck is making these schedules? Whatever. All I know is this. The Kings are chasing us in the Pacific and they're one of the few teams so far this season that has figured out how to score on us. We had a good come from behind win on Saturday, hopefully we don't need to pull another one out tonight.

Five for Winning

Hit'em Hard and Hit'em Often: We seem to play best when we've got a bit of a spark under us. The usually comes in the form of getting a few big hits. This also helps directly with our new puck possession game. Going all the way back to the Boston game, when we make it dangerous for the other team to touch the puck we usually come out on top The Winnik-Fiddler-Pyatt line has been great at this as will as Paul Bissonette in handing out some punishment.

Do I Need to Keep Telling You about GAA?: Top in the league again with 25 goals against in 13 games giving us a team GAA of 1.92. We're the only team left under the two goal mark and in LA we have a team that's scored nearly a third of those goals against us with a total of 8 in the two games. We need to find a way to impose our game on them tonight.

O Captain My Captain: Shane Doan showed us once again why he's a fan favorite and the captain of this team. After taking a brutal hit that had the fans stunned and worried (a few actually crying) he came back out and started laying down the law on the Ducks players on Saturday. He even fought Wizniewski at the start of the second showing guys that get away with cheap hits that they aren't going to run us. Gotta love Captain Coyote.

Keep Kopitar Down: He's currently tied for second in the league at 21 points (10-11-21). For a Kings team that hasn't been strong in recent years, it's good for him to get going early and lead by example... Just not tonight. Martin Hanzal will likely be responsible for him again and hopefully he and his line can quiet him and Smyth and make someone else try and beat us.

Shootout could be our friend: The Kings have lost two straight as a result of the shootout. While we don't really want to go there, giving another point to a Pacific Division team, It's good to know that if we do we're 2-0 in the shootout and 4-0 overall when the Coyotes go into overtime. Good to know that we're not just settling for the point.

GO YOTES!

Judge Approves sale of Phoenix Coyotes to the NHL!

OdinMercer — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:14:38 -0000

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

Phoenix Coyotes' Ilya Bryzgalov, left, of Russia, celebrates with teammates Shane Doan (19) and Ed Jovanovski after the team was sold to the NHL today (Not really, it's from Saturday)

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Finally we're out from under the bankruptcy court! WOOOOO! The Phoenix Coyotes can now get on with the business of finding a new permanent owner and more importantly to hockey operations. (Which, by the way are running smoothly anyways, 9-4!) Everything hasn't been wrapped up with a bow or anything, but it's at least one step closer to ensuring the survival of the team here in Phoenix. All we can hope for is that everything happens soon. The NHL though won't be commenting about it anymore it looks like as Bill Daly had this to say courtesy of NHL.com

"We are pleased and very encouraged by today's developments in court. Now that approval of the proposed sale has been entered by the Court, the National Hockey League will work to close the transaction quickly and assume full control of the Coyotes' business operations. The League also will engage immediately in a process to identify -- and expedite sale of the franchise to -- new ownership that is committed to the Club's long-term success in the Phoenix/Glendale area. We do not intend to comment publicly on that process.

Everyone agrees that Ice Edge is certainly on of the forerunners at the moment, and the Argos guys, who can barely run a CFL team, are suposedly in the mix. It'll be interesting to see if anyone else comes out of the woodwork to try and buy the team. But here's to hoping that we get someone competent and someone fast.