This picture says it all. The only thing I can say is that most of the Phoenix Coyotes must have had their feet up, video games engaged and a daily diet of ho ho’s during the Olympic break. This game was startling (and not in a good way)
The short version since my mama always told me “if you can’t say anything nice…”
Phoenix Coyotes 2 - St. Louis Blues 5
Bryzgalov pulled for LaBarbera at the top of the 3rd
Several skirmishes but no real fights
I’m baaaaack. Apparently the excitement of my first hockey roadtrip and the Winter Olympics (hold your heads high USA) gave me a case of writer’s block, but I’ve returned so enjoy my first stop of the arena tour. Phoenix Coyotes and the Colorado Avalanche.
And although it was a roadtrip with the Coyotes, it wasn’t WITH the Coyotes..no specific player interaction was scheduled. Do you really think that it was going to stop me? As my luck would have it, I didn’t have to go looking for the players..which would have been creepy and wrong..right? They found us..sort of.
Coming out of the cold a few hours before the game, I found my way to the escalator. Looking back, I noticed Tyson Nash standing there, looking dashing as ever in his pastel colored tie and called out “Hey Tyson”. Now sometimes my outgoing nature tends to startle people, as it did Tyson. His head jerked up but he waved and smiled. What else are you gonna do when a strange redhead yells “hey” in a five-star hotel on an escalator?
The escalator turned out to be my lucky charm because who did we literally run into when we stepped off? Shane Doan! And yes, I found it necessary to shake his hand and say hello. As gracious as you always hear about, he stopped for a moment while we wished him luck. Or should I say I wished him luck. My daughter stood by my side mute from the sheer awesomeness that was meeting one of her heros.
And then..the onslaught. Innocently standing at the elevator bank, Peter Mueller, Keith Yandle, Jason LaBarbera, and Mikkel Boedker all dressed to impress in their suits cram into an elevator. Once again I can’t let that just go and my call of “hey guys” caused more deer-in-the headlights looks than hunting season in Pennsylvania. I have to wonder..do they just expect to go unnoticed especially since they are in a different city? Or am I just that social that it causes alarm? Don’t answer that! Only LaBarbera seemed unfazed, turned and reciprocated the “hey”. Thanks Jason.
One last sighting ocurred during a particular odd moment. When approaching the front desk to find Benadryl for hives that unexpectedly showed up on my neck (I just blame the sheer excitement of it all!) I ran into Anders Ericksson. Not at all concerned that I might startle, confuse, beguile or bewilder him, I throw a “good luck tonight” his way. This time I was rewarded with a big smile and a “thanks”. Apparently he didnt’ see the red bumps on my neck that were approaching goiter status..whewww.
After my hives were in check and the reception under my belt, we were off to the Pepsi Center. Incidentally, during said reception, I had a nice albeit too brief, conversation with Doug Moss on the potential of Mikkel Boedker. At the entrance to the arena, cars lined up as though as we were waiting to get in Six Flags. Since we were on a “tour” bus, our walk to the entrance wasn’t horrible, however I did feel bad for the commoners who had to hike out from the parking lot. Made me a little homesick for Jobing.com arena whose parking seemed easier in comparison.
On the way to the arena you pass large pillars and of course a gargantuan Pepsi ball logo embedded in rock. Guess which soda pop choices you have inside? The arena is referred to as “the can” although supposedly not in polite or arena personnel company.
Gaining entrance to the arena was a simple procedure. No metal detectors, no purse invasion and only one ticket taker to allow entrance. A bit different from the body cavity strip streach you receive at Coyotes games while surrounded by at least 3 security guards/ticket takers/purse checkers.
Aside from the large hanging sculpture representing the various sports played there, the Avalanche (hockey), the Denver Nuggets (basketball) and the Mammoth (lacrosse) the arena was pretty hockey typical. Some annoying differences included an ancient scoreboard, the announcer who sounded like he was auditioning for a jazz radio station and the intro to the team (the Avalanche experience) was far too lengthy. Just get the guys on the ice already!
The fans were relatively energetic and I was pleased to see that even on a Friday night, attendance wasn’t any more than what you see at Jobing.com on any given night. It was an odd experience to be the “strangers in a strange land” with Avalanche jerseys coming at you at every turn but we held strong. We even received a few shout outs from wayward Coyotes fans in passing. However we did get boo’ed from a young (11 or 12) fan in the pro shop to which I replied saltily “yeah that’s what we say when you come to town”. Mess me with kid.
The game, as you probably already know, did not go our way. Some bad penalty calls, a lagging power play (AGAIN) and an inability to get shots to connect left us shy of the win at 2-1.
The experience was great and I have to give a big thanks to Lindsay, Jackie, Doug Moss and the rest of the Coyotes team that put the trip together and accompanied us all to Colorado. I also need to send a huge thanks to my employer, Jobing.com for sending us.
As they say, “there’s no place like home” and although the experience was awesome I still think I prefer watching my Coyotes where they belong..in the desert.
Today is the day! The start of my arenas around the NHL tour. First stop, Pepsi Center tonight to see my ‘Yotes take on the Colorado Avalanche. As we are streaking again with wins against the Oilers and Wild this week, I expect a good show.
Colorado is currently standing in the 6th spot and Phoenix is in 4th, but I am perfectly ok with widening that gap. Just as I am ok with getting ahead of 3rd place Vancouver. Even more ok would be playing beer pong with Vern Fiddler and Jason LaBarbera.
It’s only 4 days till my roadtrip with the Coyotes. Having only seen my guys in their natural habitat of Jobing.com arena, it will be a thrill to experience their play elsewhere. Friday, February 12th marks my entry into Colorado Avalanche territory.
Pepsi Center as it is known in Denver (not THE Pepsi Center as I have found out), is the home of the Avalanche. The arena is 11 years old and holds just over 18,000 fans. Bernie the St. Bernard is their mascot and I have to say he looks more “lame-o” than “Cujo”. Howler could so take him.
I am looking forward to testing my “rabid” (pun on the Cujo reference is intended) fan skills as I surely will find myself in the minority Friday night. Look for me decked out in a player graffiti’d jersey, sporting a Yote face tattoo and doing the finger Coyote with my 7 year old daughter. Watch out Avs fans!
Stay tuned for updates via Twitter (follow me @puckgal00)pics and of course here on Fanster.com.
I pose this question for Phoenix Coyotes or any other hockey fan…what arena(s) have you been to?
Which was your fave and why.
If you are going to do something, do it right! That’s what they say and that goes for losing too. The Phoenix Coyotes must agree because their loss against the Dallas Stars was spectacular on Saturday. Out of the gate early and often Dallas came at us and we just didn’t have a chance to get ahead. It didn’t help that goalie Marty Turco appeared to be bulletproof.
I am not being facetious or sarcastic either. After six straight wins against some important teams (Chicago and Detroit to name a couple) and the amazing work of Captain Doan and the entire defense including the Shootout King Adrian Aucoin….how could you fault the Coyotes for one bad game? The Coyotes are still sitting in 5th place, tied in points with the #4 Kings so go ahead and call me Pollyanna of the Puck, but there isn’t anything to worry about here.
There’s no doubt the Coyotes will get back on track and quickly. Besides, they get to exact some revenge next week when the Stars come to our house…
Let’s Puck!
Here is one highlight you do need to check out. Bissonnette (aka BizNasty) working over Barch, enjoy! Bissonnette vs Barch
He bends, he stretches, he stops pucks in impossible ways and comes complete with Metallica inspired helment. Goalie Barbie also features double fist pumping action at the end of a win.
Saturday night’s Coyotes/Blackhawks game marked a very impressive performance by goalie Jason Labarbera. After he gave up a goal early in the first period, Labarbera really hit his stride and got the team through several penalty kills, some scary breakaways and eventually Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa in the shootout to get the win.
Adrian Aucoin, shootout master extraordinaire, lended his wrist shot to help get the win. This makes 2 goals in shootouts in the last 2 games! When asked about his streak he claimed to be “nervous” fearing that he may be called upon for repeat performances. Hey, even the masters get a case of the nerves.
Other standouts included Radom vrbata with his goal in the 3rd, Sami Lepisto defensively and the Chicago Blackhawks for not really putting it together.
Incidentally Goalie Barbie, Shootout King Aucoin and the rest of the Phoenix Coyotes retail for roughly $140 million. Just in case you would like to purchase them and keep them in the desert.
Captain Shane Doan gets the NHL 1st star of the week!
Our defensive players are offensively HOT! Yeah, I’m talking about you Keith Yandle, Adrian Aucoin and Ed Jovanovski!
That’s a lot of exclamation points and for good reason. Now with 73 points and just 8 measly points away from the conference-leading San Jose Sharks, there are tons of reasons for Phoenix Coyotesfans to celebrate. Sitting solidly in 4th place with 4 WHOLE POINTS separating us from the 5th place L.A. Kings, can you say whoo hoo? I knew you could.
Are any of you naysayers eating your words yet?
Let’s Puck!
and yeah that was another exclamation point..
Cup of tea? Biscuits? Finger sandwiches? Naw..when you hang with the hockey team it’s nachos, hot dogs and pretzels! The annual season ticket holders meet and greet was held on Tuesday night at Jobing.com arena and featured all Phoenix Coyotes team members..with the exception of Daniel Winnik who recently sustained an upper body injury.
The event was a 2 hour affair that featured the ability to meet the players and get autographs. The team was divided into 9 tables with only Shane Doan not having to share..after all, he’s the captain!
First up was my 7 year old goalie daughter’s favorite Ilya Bryzgalov who was sharing a table with Adrian Aucoin and Vern Fiddler. Our goal besides the autograph? A burning question for Bryz..how does he get his leg pads on? Since I have to assist my daughter with hers, she was dying to know who helped him with his. The answer? A nod to Vern Fiddler and “Fids does it for me every time” This cracked both guys up. The real answer? “I do it myself and you will need to learn too” Fiddler was great with my daughter and Aucoin, normally very serious, seemed to be enjoying himself. Definitely our favorite table of the night.
Other memorable moments included a high five from Jason LaBarbera (it’s a goalie thing) sharing a laugh with Kurt Sauer and Paul Bissonnette who, despite his bad boy image with missing teeth, was very friendly.
Important thing to remember at this type of promotional event is that these guys play hockey and are not PR people. Hence a few strong but silent types like Petr Prucha, Radim Vrbata and Zybnek Michalek. Even Marty Hanzal was a little quiet but he has those great dimples so we will forgive him this time!
We only got to admire Shane Doan from a distance since his line practically snaked around the whole arena. As usual however, he was all smiles and really engaging the fans. This guy knows how to work a room!
We wanted to get all signatures but our eyes were bigger than stomachs and we got all but three Coyotes to sign our jerseys. Overall a successful outing! The event was also further confirmation that these guys understand that the fans are their lifeblood. It can’t be easy to sit there and smile for 2 hours while 1000 fans come at you like locusts.
Bryz’s exit from the event said it all..he stood up, held his back and hunched over while he walked away from the table. Performed for comic reasons for sure but still, it had to be tiring for them. Till next time guys..and thanks.
Just last night I was musing aloud and in writing that there had not been any news on the potential Phoenix Coyotes buyers. And like pennies from heaven or pucks in a net, I find an article from the Phoenix Business Journal on that very subject. Am I pyschic? Do I have ESPN? Probably not but the news is interesting.
According to the Business Journal, Daryl Jones, COO of the group, says negotiations are “moving forward” and that they are commited to a long term lease in Glendale which houses Jobing.com Arena. With this commitment it’s suggested in the article that Glendale officials would be “open” to the Coyotes playing a “handful” of games in Saskatoon…as I feared.
Jones is quoted as being in it for the long haul and “it’s all about getting the fans to believe in you”. The article further indicates that Jones does not want to do anything that would erode support for the team in Arizona.
This has been an additional fear and one I have been talking about since the group threw its hat in the ring. Attendance and fan support have been a difficult obstacle and playing in a new arena in Saskatoon may not do the cause any favor.
Also intriguing is the fact that among other businessmen, John Breslow is part of the Ice Edge group. Breslow apparently was a minority owner when Jerry Moyes still owned the team. The same Moyes who played a very large part in the financial failure and eventual bankruptcy of the Coyotes. I am making no assumptions or judgements here except to say it is verrrrry interesting.
It looks like things are heating up on the ice again here in the desert.
Or riddle me this, riddle me that because I have to know why it’s taken over 1000 games for the Captain of The Phoenix Coyotes to get a bobblehead!
Shane Doan, the undisputed nicest guy in hockey today, has played over 1000 games with same franchise, survived the “Gretzky” era, and basically has been to hell and back with the Phoenix Coyotes. All with that megawatt smile on his face and the fans in his heart.
Doesn’t that deserve a small statue with a wobbly oversized head? Or better yet doesn’t it deserve more than 5000 fans attending a Coyotes game?
At any rate, the long awaited Shane Doan bobblehead will be given out to the first 10,000 fans at Saturday night’s game against the Minnesota Wild.
The “doll” has received a little criticism for its not-so-true to life features. But hey airbrushing and “enhancing” happens all the time when recreating a person’s physical being so why quibble over a straighter-than-normal nose?
Congrats Shane, I look forward to having you sit on my desk..
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This picture says it all. The only thing I can say is that most of the Phoenix Coyotes must have had their feet up, video games engaged and a daily diet of ho ho’s during the Olympic break. This game was startling (and not in a good way)
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Cup of tea? Biscuits? Finger sandwiches? Naw..when you hang with the hockey team it’s nachos, hot dogs and pretzels! The annual season ticket holders meet and greet was held on Tuesday night at 
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