As I chastise others about being just a tad too obsessive about sports, I took my own advice.

Therapy (in a pure figurative sense, not the literal one) works.

So, after much thought about what I want to do in terms of writing, I came up with the following of what this blog will now become.

I used to write about game previews and game recaps, and unless it’s something special, I’ll no longer do that on a regular basis.  The are other Coyotes blogs that do that kind of lifting, and have a strong following now.  Click on the Hockey Blogs tab at the top of the page – I have them all listed there.

Instead, my contribution to the Coyotes universe of blog writing will most likely focus on an angle the others have not written about.  If I think I’m writing a “me too” type of post, I’ll delete the draft and not publish it.

I’m still leaving open the possibility of focusing on the other aspects of the blog (which at the top still reads: One fan’s perspective on the Phoenix Coyotes, the NHL, and the Sports Industry).  I do have other interests.  But when the season gets cranked up again, we’ll see what happens.

Finally, I plan on writing, at the bare minimum, once per week.  That is, if I have anything to say.  Once upon a time, I was the only Coyotes blog writing about the woeful happenings in the desert – with the sheer optimism that things will get better down here.  They have, and provided the transaction with the new ownership group becomes finalized, they will improve.  At the time, I did have a sense of pride that for awhile there, I was the only one with a hockey blog about the Phoenix Coyotes.  Now, there are several.  All very good.

I’ve always written that life is more important than hockey, and certainly that’s true with me as well.  Last summer I couldn’t mourn with others about the potential loss of the franchise, and again this summer I’ve been away and missed out on the changes (both player and front office) that our franchise has seen.  Hopefully, these changes will be for the better.

So, we’ll see what happens.  When I started, I always thought I would write something about hockey every day.  I also primarily wrote for me, and was pleasantly surprised when others enjoyed what I wrote.  It’s time to return to that perspective without worrying about the timeliness of anything.  I’ll write what I think is interesting to consider.  If I find nothing…then…well, I won’t.

Even though this is not “I’m stopping forever” kind of deal, I will only say that I’m glad I got to meet some of you in cyberspace.  Hopefully, we’ll meet in person some day.  I’ll buy the first round (one at a time though, like because if we meet as a group, I’m not buying for everyone…well…it depends on how large the group is).

The reason why they play all of those games and earn those points.

To make sure that Game 7 is in their house, to have the last line change, to hear the roar of the crowd, to have the community support,  just to get closer.

As the evening begins, I find myself getting anxious, ready to see what I hope to see, the expectation of victory – avoiding the agony of defeat.

It’s why I watch – where every hit matters, every shot matters, every shift matters, every goal matters.

It’s why I watch – to see the team resemble the mythic bird that rises from ashes and ascend to great heights.

It’s why I watch – to see the best sport on the planet with the most rugged individuals play through pain and misery.  Just to hoist the Cup once or again.

There will be no links to anything today, no funny names for other teams or players, no whining or crying, because as much as I want this one for the Coyotes, the fans on the other side will be wanting the same.

Waiting for Game 7.

Game on.

#ThrowTheSnake

Then, five minutes before face-off, I learned that Shane Doan will not be able to go.  For most, that meant the game was over.

For NBC, they thought so too and kept talking about how grand the team from the mid-western state East of Wisconsin was.

Imagine the surprise when the Coyotes put up five goals, three on the power play and all without Shane Doan.  They left everything out there on the ice and never gave up.

Why would they?  They have never given up all season and they weren’t about to start now.  Everyone played physical, Taylor Pyatt took a page out of the Lardstrom playbook by screening Clint, Derek Morris took care of Applicator, and Bow felt some pain at the end there.

So, the Coyotes force Game 7, at home, and if they play like did today – I like their chances.

Series on. Game 7 on.

#ThrowTheSnake