Coyotes vs. Kings 10/3/09 Season Opener

[Bert]

Coyotes up 6-2 in the third.

Our Ice dogs are off to a great start!

Hooowwwwl!

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Coyotes up 6-2 in the third.

Our Ice dogs are off to a great start!

Hooowwwwl!

Ironically, the Coyotes are the only local pro team not in your signature.

Hey, Bert - are you going to make any Cards games this season? We miss you at the halftimes.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

Fun game to watch, although the penalty kill was sloppy and Bryz did not seem to be on top of his game. I counted two good saves. I sope it was just first-game "jitters". Kudos to team speed though - they look fun to watch this season.

 

[madmorri]

Does this team get good television coverage in Arizona? Do people think that they will stay long term, or are they being written off as a failed experiment? Ice hockey in the desert just sounds strange, but the little I have seen of NHL it is a terrific sport.

 

[PDXChris]

Until they get a good backup they will struggle. You need two starting goalies in the NFL much like having to RB in the NFL. There are still the exceptions, but most good teams now have 2 goalies that are capable of starting

 

[MigratingOsprey]

Until they get a good backup they will struggle. You need two starting goalies in the NFL much like having to RB in the NFL. There are still the exceptions, but most good teams now have 2 goalies that are capable of starting

I disagree with this

you definitely need a good backup, one that can come in and provide rest, step in if the #1 gets banged up, etc

however, if you have a rock solid #1 the #2 doesn't get a whole lot of ice time

it tends to be mid-pack teams that platoon, or teams that have an older, but still good #1 ...... even then there are still some who will lean hard on the veteran (see NJ)

great win by the 'yotes though

 

[Scott MS]

It's nice to know the Coyotes have a real NHL coach (with a darn good career record) and Dave King as an assistant.

Also, there are at least three guys who started the season in Phoenix last season that are now in the minors -- Turris, Porter, Tikhonov. Adding Lang, Fiddler, Upshall, Lombardi, Vrbata, and others has made this team better than last season. The defense is more proven also.

 

[PoolBoy]

game was very fun to watch, team was flying all over the ice. my hockey knowledge is low, but I plan on watching the Coyotes more this season know that their coach has them playing hard and smart.

 

[Bert]

Ironically, the Coyotes are the only local pro team not in your signature.

Hey, Bert - are you going to make any Cards games this season? We miss you at the halftimes.

I know, I took them off when at one point this summer they said they were definitely leaving us.

I guess that's what I get for not keeping the faith!

I still go to every game, just haven't been making halftime, I will try to get out there for the Houston game, thanks for the thoughts!

 

[Lefty]

It's a good start. I think with the new coaching staff we won't see a huge second half slump like were accustomed to. If they can get off to a great start, maybe more people will go see them play.

 

[lauraw]

I don't recognize any of these players' names but 2-3..did we have that major of a turnover?

 

[lauraw]

Always good to get the first one esp. 'gainst the Kings!!

 

[MigratingOsprey]

some new faces, some guys who came over at the deadline last year

lombardi came over in the jokinen deal

Upshall came over for carcillo (which will be a great deal when it's all said and done - while carcillo was exciting to watch, his discipline was terrible and he is an over all negative to a team)

Prucha came over in Morris trade

Vandemeer came over in a trade for Prust (who was aquired in the yokinen deal and I don't think ever played here - a seemingly odd deal as both deals were with the flames)

Vrbata went to TB as a free agent before the beginning of last year where things didn't quite work out for him - the coyotes then traded to bring him back this offseason giving up david hale and todd fedoruk

Lang was brought in as a FA

Korpikoski came in an offseason trade for linsin (who i will miss watching skate - that guy was so fast)

Aucoin came in as a FA

Fiddler came in as a FA

Yandle, Michalek, Hanzal, Doan, Jovanovski, Mueller, Boedker, Sauer & Bryz were all here last year

Winnick is a coyotes prospect who skated with them in the past, but not last year - i think he was banged up last year

So I'd say about half the faces would be known from last year with half new either from trade or FA

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I thought the team looked very good on Saturday and it was certainly fun to watch, especially with the speed upgrades over recent teams.

Pittsburgh will certainly be a tough test on Wednesday, but I think the talent and coaching upgrades should hopefully prevent a blowout like when the Penguins came to town last time.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

I was at the game here last year - the 'yotes won 4-1 and they played them very well

crosby was banged up about halfway through the game though and it was earlier in the season when the pens were scuffling a little bit

 

[Kel Varnsen]

D'oh. I think I was thinking of two years ago...or whenever it was that they crushed us.

Let's hope for a repeat of last year, then. (Minus any injuries, of course.)