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Daily Email9Feb/0910:12 AM
Let’s rewind back to Tuesday, January 20th. The Phoenix Coyotes had just defeated the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Detroit Red Wings 6-3 at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale. They finished up the first half of their schedule 5 games above .500, and at the All-Star break were in 5th place in the tightly bunched Western Conference. It was beginning to look like the team who hadn’t sniffed the postseason since 2002 was on it’s way back to hosting a Whiteout in the desert.
Since returning from the All-Star break, the Coyotes have been manhandled. They’re riding a 6-game losing streak, and have fallen into a tie for 11th place in the Western Conference. They’ve been outscored 25 to 10 during this current skid, and their power play has converted on just 4 of their last 30 opportunities. Any optimism about this team has been effectively washed away in the last two weeks.
There’s not really one quick fix for this team either. Their problems are spread all over. They’re 23rd in the league in goals scored, 25th in the league in goals allowed. They’re not exactly adept on the power play (28th in the league), or on the penalty kill (24th in the league) either.
Ilya Bryzgalov, the goaltender acquired from Anaheim a year ago, was supposed to be the undisputed number one goalie for this franchise for years to come. He ranks 34th in the league with a goals against average of 2.89, and his save percentage of .908 ranks 26th among qualified NHL netminders, yet ranks 6th in the league in time on ice.
Their remaining schedule doesn’t show much relief, either. Phoenix has 28 games remaining, with 14 on their home ice in Glendale, and 14 on the road. Fourteen of their games are against teams that are currently out of the playoffs, and they have four games remaining against the top three teams in the league (Boston, San Jose and Detroit), and they’re all on the road, where the Coyotes have struggled this season.
Unless something changes in a hurry, hockey fans of Phoenix could be faced with yet another year of watching the playoffs unfold for 16 other teams, and we all know that could be disastrous for a franchise whose financial problems have been well-chronicled in the last year or so.
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Tags: Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix Coyotes
February 9th, 2009 10:12 AM PST
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Yep the Coyotes are in big trouble. The poor treatment of the season ticket holders this year is deplorable. ALL of the special offers were given to anyone off of the street. It is sad to sit in a glass seat and have to listen to how the row behind you got in for $40.00. Now they want you to commit to next years season tickets by Feb 27th. Taken for granted and bullied, this is not the way to treat (or keep) up to this point loyal fans.
Add to this the obvious league bias against the Coyotes and it all adds up to a who cares attitude by the fans. I personally think Bettman would love to move the club to Canada. Prediction: When the team moves it suddenly becomes a winning franchise and a perenial playoff contender. As long as the club stays in Phoenix the league will make sure we do not get to the playoffs. I do not know if the officials are taking bribes to fix the game, but I guarantee the league has issued orders to keep the team from winning. Perfect example Peter Mueller on the ice on his hands and knees while the Anaheim player repeatedly pummeled him with his stick while the linsemen looke on from less than a foot away. The when Mueller gets up the Anaheim player spears hime three times with the stick while the official holds on to both of them. No penalty, no mention and Peter Mueller ends up with a concussion. Tell me the league fix is not in!!!