“Bad Ice” – Coyotes Chase Turco in Victory

pbcoyotes — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:45:59 +0000

” (it’s) the same for both teams, but that ice was absolutely god-awful.”

Stars’ Coach Marc Crawford after first loss to Coyotes, quoted in Arizona Republic

It seems that instead of laying credit where credit was certainly due, head coach Marc Crawford decided to proclaim in their first defeat at Jobing.com arena that the ice was to blame for their first loss.

I would like to think that the Coyotes heard what he said and went out to smoke them again, chasing Turco out of his net when down 4-0. The Stars went 1 for 5 on the power play, but the Coyotes’ penalty kill was strong again last night.

5-2 loss Mr. Crawford? Bad ice for your team I guess. You could have said last time that the team “over there” played a helluva game, that we (the Stars) didn’t execute like we should because we had our chances, and we’ll be more prepared for them next time.

Instead you said, “the ice was god awful”. Nice.

Now, the Coyotes have four of your points in an extremely competitive Pacific Division. Hopefully, this victory will give the Coyotes a chance to gain confidence and score goals.

Speaking of scoring goals, Lauri Korpikoski was the Stars’ killer last night; what a way to earn his first points of his NHL career. In fact, his whole line that included Matt Lombardi, and Scottie Upshall sparked the entire team. This group was responsible for the three goals scored against Turco, two by Korpikoski, and one by Adrian Aucoin. They were the engine that pulled the team along.

I guess there was a reason that head coach Dave Tippett used him in the shootout a while back, and a reason why we traded for him for Enver Lisin. The trade raised some eyebrows back East, but General Manager Don Maloney knew what he was doing.

The coaching staff put Vernon Fiddler and Daniel Winnik on a line with Shane Doan. Mrs. PB remarked, “Didn’t I tell you they should do that?” Yes, yes she did. I would like to believe that our house is bugged, but I would have to get a tin foil hat first.

They had two lines just skating after the puck, and thanks to Robert Lang that started it off, the Coyotes didn’t stop.

The penalties still concern me, but there were a few that I thought were questionable, especially when they didn’t call it both ways. However, I’ve long complained about the Coyotes and Stars officiating being a little off. Officials don’t win hockey games though – players do.

I’ve also been a Keith Ballard fan, and still am one after his trade to Florida. I still have his jersey hanging in my closet as I thought they would build the team around him. But the guy that I’m paying attention to now is Keith Yandle. Tyson Nash compared him to Brian Leetch last night. I think that’s too soon, but I do see some resemblance to the San Jose Sharks Danny Boyle. When Boyle was in Tampa Bay, he was the one who initiated the offense for Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, and Brad Richards. Yandle is doing the same thing.

He belongs on that blue line and we’re fortunate to have him.

Next up, Anaheim. I think they should try to find a place for Paul Bissonnette, but who would sit in his place? If Peter Mueller’s and Vernon Fiddler’s injuries are extensive, Bissonnette could take one of those spots, but Fiddler’s loss, in terms of momentum, would be a difficult blow.

Here is what I read today:

It’s Amazing When That Moment Arrives You Know That You’ll Be Alright, from Hipchecks

Put Me In Coach, I’m Ready to Play, from The Good, the Bad, the Coyotes

Stars Coyotes Thoughts, from Andrew Dallas Stars’ Blog

Beat Down in the Desert, Stars Blown Out 5-2, from Defending Big D

Coyotes Soar Past Stars, from The Arizona Republic

Turco Pulled as Stars Lose to Coyotes 5-2, from The Dallas Morning News

Korpikoski Helps Coyotes Beat Stars, from The Associated Press

Stars and Coyotes Part Deux

pbcoyotes — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:25:18 +0000

The Dallas Stars return to Glendale for tonight’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes. On their last visit, the Coyotes beat them 3-2. Since that victory, they have gone 2-3-1 and in ninth place in the Western Conference.

Meanwhile, their opponents are in the 7th spot and tout a 6-3-3 record on the road. Even though one of those losses came at the hands of the Coyotes, it means nothing if they can’t put more goals in the net (and the Coyotes are once again last in the NHL in that category).

Defensively, the Coyotes are playing the system that head coach Dave Tippett has given them – they rank fourth in goals against and allow the third fewest shots on goal. Defense wins can win the tight games (and championships), but the scoring has to be there.

What we would like to see is the other skill players play like these guys: Shane Doan, Daniel Winnik, Vern Fiddler, Petr Prucha, and to some extent Scottie Upshall. The unique aspect about these players is that when a play doesn’t go quite right, they keep skating towards the puck. Next thing we see is that there is a shot on goal.

On the other hand, Peter Mueller and Robert Lang seem to hesitate after they attempt a play. That split second of stoppage causes the opposition to take that rebound or turnover and push it back up ice in the other direction. If they handled themselves like the other players I wrote, the results may be beneficial, even to the point of keeping the puck down at their end.

The Coyotes know that they have to shake things up a little and recalled Mikkel Boedker from the San Antonio Rampage. It will be his second visit with the Desert Dogs this season. Will they choose to play him? If so, who sits? Hopefully, he will make the impact he needs to stay. I really enjoyed his play here last year.

Five for Howling has an excellent preview for tonight’s game and Defending Big D has the other side of it. What’s funny is that Defending Big D writes about a Dallas Morning News article about Brad Richards, and Five for Howling suggests that the Coyotes should make Brad Richards sad. It’s a synergy, I guess!

The reading material for me today also included:

From the Arizona Republic: Jovanovksi and Michalek Back with Team

From The Sporting News: Stars and Coyotes Preview

Luke Lapinski has a preview from Phoenix Coyotes.com

One Fan's Perspective » Dallas Stars

“Bad Ice” – Coyotes Chase Turco in Victory

Stars and Coyotes Part Deux