Phoenix Coyotes News

Phoenix Coyotes' focus on Panthers, not playoffs
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March 18
Arizona Republic
 
"The Coyotes are seeking a season-high seventh consecutive win, and center Vernon Fiddler said Thursday night's game, and not the playoffs, will be the focus. A victory over the Florida Panthers would complete a sweep of a four-game road trip and, coupled with a San Jose loss to Vancouver, would place the Coyotes only three points behind the Sharks for the Pacific Division lead. Fiddler said keeping things in perspective will not be difficult. "We've been doing that all year so why would we change things now?" Fiddler said. "Obviously, the playoff picture is in our sight. We'd like to clinch our spot as early as possible, but at the same time we just take it game by game and continue to ..."
Phoenix Coyotes' new players find a way to adapt off the ice
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March 17
Arizona Republic
 
"On the day after the NHL trade deadline, Coyotes forward Lee Stempniak woke up at 6 a.m. in Toronto. He caught a flight at 9 a.m. He arrived in Phoenix at 12:30 p.m. local time. He had lunch at Jobing.com Arena, went to a hotel for an hour pregame nap and returned to the rink at 4 p.m. to organize his equipment and make his debut with his new team after being traded by the Maple Leafs. The frenetic pace to the day didn't seem to faze Stempniak, who scored a goal that night against the Colorado Avalanche. "It was a crazy day," the 27-year-old said. "But the whole time you're just excited to get here, and you want to play right away and get into it. So it's fun." But the off-ice transition ..."
Ice Edge CEO optimistic deal for Coyotes can be reached
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March 14
Arizona Republic
 
"The CEO of Ice Edge Holdings, emphasizing that financing is not a problem, is optimistic that the purchase of the Coyotes can be finalized by the close of the NHL season. Anthony LeBlanc said the "whole deal" is contingent on renegotiating a new lease with the city of Glendale. "We indicated it was going to take us three to six months, and best case, we have this closed before the playoffs start," he said. "We certainly expect that this will be closed by the time that the Stanley Cup is awarded this year. That's our plan, but it will require the city and us working together to get the lease ratified." The process took on a new urgency for Coyotes fans in the past few days when ..."
Canes can't solve Bryzgalov
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March 14
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"There are a number of reasons for the surprising success of the Phoenix Coyotes this season. One big reason: Once in the lead, the Coyotes have been nigh unbeatable. Another big one: goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. So it was again Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Coyotes jumped to an early lead, getting two goals from Lee Stempniak in the first period, and Bryzgalov was flawless in net in a 4-0 victory at the RBC Center. The Canes had won eight straight at home and were 9-1-1 in their last 11 games. They were fresh off a confidence-boosting 4-3 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the defending Stanley Cup champions, and were keeping a close eye on the Eastern Conference ..."
Canadian hockey fans find seats, sun in desert
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March 13
Vancouver Province
 
"Whenever the Vancouver Canucks would score in Phoenix on Wednesday, the explosion of enthusiasm at the Jobing.com Arena was very similar to the rare occasions when the Toronto Maple Leafs Leafs score at GM Place. Canucks fans are all over the place in Arizona. Watching Tuesday's game against Colorado in a huge Scottsdale sports bar with a throng of Canadians in a private room was one thing. But when the Canucks were staging their comeback in Denver, whenever they would score, the entire bar would erupt in cheering. So prevalent are Canucks fans -- the same is largely true when the Flames and Oilers play in Arizona as well -- that it's almost becoming a significant Vancouver issue with ..."
Phoenix Coyotes' power play last in NHL, but wins pile up
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March 12
Arizona Republic
 
"The Phoenix Coyotes' success this season is an even bigger surprise considering a power play that is last in the NHL. "Last" takes on a more-sinister meaning with a look at recent numbers: The Coyotes were 1 for 43 (0 for 29) before scoring a power-play goal two games ago, and they missed three chances again Wednesday. The Coyotes' power-play percentage is 14.7 (38 for 258), but the flip side is superb penalty killing that ranks seventh in the league. That's a big reason they are fourth in the Western Conference and a probable playoff team for the first time since 2002. Their 40 wins tie a record since moving to the Valley. Yet the power play remains stagnant and a source of frustration. ..."
Canucks drop 4-3 shootout loss to Coyotes to end 14-game road trip
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March 12
Vancouver Province
 
"Andrew Raycroft has learned to not overreact to what look like certain starts because things can change in an instant when you play second fiddle to Roberto Luongo. If the Vancouver Canucks' goaltender can also learn to not overreact to what's happening around his crease, he can change the perception that many backups carry. They're often good in a pinch. Not so good long term. With Raycroft getting the assignment of backstopping the final leg of a torturous 14-game road trip on Wednesday, nobody was going to bring out the noose if the Canucks stubbed their tired toes against the Phoenix Coyotes. But it's never just another game for any backup. Raycroft did make 31 saves in regulation and ..."
Canucks finish road trip with a 4-3 shootout loss in Arizona
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March 12
Vancouver Sun
 
"One more for the road. Fourteen games, 42 days and nearly 20,000 kilometres since they last played at home on Jan. 27, the Vancouver Canucks went an extra five minutes of overtime plus a shootout Wednesday to gain a point. Or prove one. When their energy tank should have been empty and their hunger diminished by eight wins already in the bank, the Canucks mustered one last impressive road gig, losing 4-3 to a very good Phoenix Coyote team in a six-round shootout. For the first time in six weeks, the Canucks are homeward bound after going 8-5-1 on their epic two-part odyssey to nearly half of the National Hockey League's 30 markets. "I think it's a five game homestand," winger Alex Burrows ..."
Phoenix Coyotes' Derek Morris, Keith Yandle reunited on blue line
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March 11
Arizona Republic
 
"A smarter Derek Morris and a much-improved Keith Yandle are skating together again as a defensive tandem, and the timing could not be better. The Coyotes need all the synergy they can muster as they battle for their first playoff berth since 2002. The two were paired at times last season before Morris was traded to the New York Rangers. Morris joined the Coyotes last week in a trade with the Boston Bruins. It was in Boston where Morris said he elevated his game with a big boost from assistant coach Craig Ramsay. Yandle, whose play in previous years was erratic, evolved rapidly this season and was spurred when injuries thrust him into a more-significant role. "I learned a lot (from ..."
Phoenix Coyotes defeat Canucks in shootout
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March 11
Arizona Republic
 
"Teams do not always get what they deserve; sometimes they get more. The Coyotes fell in the latter group Wednesday night as they struggled against a road-weary team but managed a 4-3 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks in front of an announced crowd of 15,883 at Jobing.com Arena. Defenseman Adrian Aucoin netted the winner as the Coyotes scored four times in the six-round shootout. "We're very fortunate to get any points out of it, let alone two," coach Dave Tippett said. "We didn't compete near to the level that I would like to see us compete. "There were some guys that really competed hard but as a group, as a whole, we didn't compete anywhere near what we should have, and you're ..."
Phoenix Coyotes to host Vancouver Canucks team at the end of 14-game road trip
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March 10
Arizona Republic
 
"Right about now, they probably feel like the Vancouver Vagabonds. The Canucks end a 14-game road odyssey Wednesday night when they visit Jobing.com Arena, and Phoenix Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said the long trip could be looked at from two angles. "They can be very anxious but finish it off right, or just really anxious to get home," he said. "I think they've probably prepared for this schedule all year. They knew what they were up against. "They had the (Olympic) break in between, they're in a playoff fight, on top of their division, so I expect them to come in - whether they're going home the next day or not, will be inconsequential - and play a very good game." The teams are at ..."
NHL files lawsuit against former Coyotes owner Moyes
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March 10
Toronto Star
 
"The NHL opened up a new front in its legal battle with the former owner of the Phoenix Coyotes, suing Jerry Moyes for $61 million (all figures U.S.) in an attempt to recoup some of the losses incurred by the team. Meanwhile, financier Daryl Jones, who heads Ice Edge Holdings, met with Glendale city manager Ed Beasley as the two sides try to work out a deal that could allow the Coyotes to turn a profit in the desert. In its suit, the NHL accused Moyes of reneging on his contract with the league by secretly working on a sale to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie and taking the team into bankruptcy without league approval."
Coyotes coach Dave Tippett: More players create competition, add depth
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March 9
Arizona Republic
 
"The Coyotes brought in five players via trades last week, shipping out two, and the competition for ice time became that much tougher on a team where everyone wants to contribute in the playoff chase. Spots in the lineup likely won't be doled out based on practices, which are always competitive and upbeat, coach Dave Tippett. He added there is a major benefit to having the extra players. "It creates competition for jobs, which, in the end I think is good for everybody to make sure a guy knows if he doesn't play well, there's somebody else waiting . . . to jump in there and do that job. "The other thing is, it gives us depth. Nobody goes through a hard run - and if you look at our schedule ..."
Defenseman Mathieu Schneider ready to help Coyotes
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March 9
Arizona Republic
 
"The oldest player in the NHL was feeling like a kid again, the grin on his face ear to ear. Mathieu Schneider's knee was feeling great, and he was back in a playoff race. The 40-year-old defenseman, in his 21st season, could be activated by the Coyotes next week. "I knew there was a good chance I was gonna get moved at the deadline, which I was pretty happy about, but I was real excited to come here," said Schneider, who had arthroscopic surgery about a month ago. "The team's just done a tremendous turnaround this year, a lot of great young players and a few great veterans as well. "I am the oldest player in the league right now, but honestly I feel great. This knee was very minor surgery, ..."
Coyotes newcomer Wolski already paying dividends
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March 8
Arizona Republic
 
"Reality imitated fantasy for Wojtek Wolski in his Coyotes' debut. One of Wolski's favorite video games is "Call of Duty." And when first called to duty by the Coyotes, he scored the winning goal with 23 seconds remaining against a team that traded him away the day before. "The biggest thing is relaxing and watching movies on my time off, and I play a lot of video games," he said. For Wolski, his script in his first Coyotes' game was one that likely made his buddy, movie director Jason Reitman, smile. Reitman was nominated for two Academy Awards for "Up in the Air." That was the only nominated movie Wolski has seen, and he had plans Sunday night to watch some of the show to see if Reitman ..."
NHL's team is a wolf in Coyote clothes
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March 7
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Michael Russo
"A record 31 trades involving 55 players were made at the trade deadline, but in a lot of ways, Wednesday was as bland as trade deadlines get. Honestly, it's more exciting watching Tampa Bay Lightning ownership implode every other year than what transpired Wednesday. Because of the Olympic trade freeze, this was actually the second wave of trades, so unless Toronto's Alex Ponikarovsky getting dealt to Pittsburgh on the eve of the deadline whet your appetite, you were left disappointed because the big headline makers -- the Ilya Kovalchuks, Dion Phaneufs, Jean-Sebastien Gigueres, Olli Jokinens and, ahem, Kim Johnssons -- were already dished. So we pretended to get exhilarated the moment ..."
Capitals, Coyotes improve most at NHL trade deadline
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March 6
USA Today
 columnist Kevin Allen
"USA TODAY's hockey writer ranks the teams that he believes had the top 10 trade deadline performances:1. Washington Capitals: The Caps' belief that they can win it all is clearly evident in their trade deadline aggressiveness. They went all in. The acquisition of Joe Corvo from Carolina gives the team another blue-chip, puck-handling defenseman. The addition of Eric Belanger from Minnesota Wild for a second-round pick gives Washington a dependable center to add to the mix for the playoffs. Plus, Scott Walker's addition from Carolina Hurricanes gives the Capitals more fire in their belly for the stretch run. He plays with an edge. The Caps reacquired wide-bodied Milan Jurcina, who adds ..."
Coyotes look to capitalize on momentum vs. Ducks
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March 6
Arizona Republic
 
"The revamped Coyotes passed their first test Thursday night as they broke a three-game losing streak and defeated the Colorado Avalanche. They will be looking to capitalize on that momentum Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks. "When you bring as many players as we have, you've got to try to build that synergy within your group," coachDave Tippett said. "Everybody finds their roles and does them to the best of their ability, and when we do that, that's when we're at our best as a group." One of the new players, center Petteri Nokelainen, was obtained from the Ducks on Wednesday. Center Vernon Fiddler said the Coyotes' activity on the trade front sent a message that General ManagerDon ..."
Lee Stempniak, Wojtek Wolski lead Coyotes past Avalanche
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March 5
Arizona Republic
 
"It could not have started - or ended - any better for a retooled Coyotes team. Two players obtained the previous day before the NHL's trade deadline scored early and late goals, lifting the Coyotes to a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night in front of an announced crowd of 12,426 at Jobing.com Arena. The winning goal was scored by Wojtek Wolski with 23 seconds remaining. Lee Stempniak's first shot with the Coyotes with 6:13 elapsed in the game gave his new team an early boost. Radim Vrbata scored an empty-net goal, his 21st, with one second remaining. "We found a way to win it and not lose it," coach Dave Tippett said after the Coyotes had snapped a three-game losing ..."
Lee Stempniak eager for fresh start with Phoenix Coyotes
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March 5
Arizona Republic
 
"Lee Stempniak showed the promise of evolving into a top player when he was traded from St. Louis to Toronto early in the 2008-09 season, but his career did not take off the way he had hoped. Now he gets another chance to fulfill that promise with the Coyotes. "I expect the most from myself, put a lot of pressure on myself to be the best that I can be and didn't live up to those expectations," said Stempniak, a right wing who was traded to Phoenix on Wednesday. "In Toronto, after the trade, I was sort of shocked a little bit and didn't adjust as well as I should have, but this year feel like I played a lot better." He believes he is a more-complete player and was able to show his ..."
Coyotes' Wolski gets sweet revenge on Avalanche
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March 5
Denver Post
 
"For the Avalanche, the worst screenwriter in all of Hollywood couldn't have scripted a nastier ending to its game Thursday night at Jobing.com Arena. Well after the Avs lost 3-1 to the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night, looks resembling shock could still be found on the Avs' faces. Not only because they allowed the winning goal with 22.8 seconds left, but because of who scored it: Wojtek Wolski. In his first game since being traded by the Avs on Wednesday, Wolski stepped into a Shane Doan pass from behind the Avs' net and blasted a slap shot past goalie Craig Anderson, breaking a 1-1 tie. Just like that, the player sometimes criticized for not scoring enough in the clutch during his time ..."
Jovanovski questionable for tonight
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March 5
Arizona Republic
 
"At this point of a long season when a team is battling for a playoff spot, every game takes on an added significance. For the Coyotes, you could even say tonight's 7 p.m. game against the Colorado Avalanche at Jobing.com Arena is a "must" win, although 18 games remain. The Coyotes, who have lost three straight on home ice, are fifth in the Western Conference, only a point ahead of the Avs, who have played one less game. Defenseman Ed Jovanovski has an upper-body injury and is listed day to day."
Wolski leads Coyotes over former team
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March 5
Arizona Republic
 
"It could not have started - or ended - any better for a retooled Coyotes team. Two players obtained the previous day before the NHL's trade deadline scored early and late goals, lifting the Coyotes to a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night in front of an announced crowd of 12,426 at Jobing.com Arena. The winning goal was scored by Wojtek Wolski with 23 seconds remaining. Lee Stempniak's first shot with the Coyotes with 6:13 elapsed in the game gave his new team an early boost. Radim Vrbata scored an empty-net goal, his 21st, with one second remaining. "We found a way to win it and not lose it," coach Dave Tippett said after the Coyotes had snapped a three-game losing ..."
Phoenix Coyotes active at NHL trade deadline
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March 4
Arizona Republic
 
"Waking up at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney wondered if he'd get much done before the trade deadline expired about eight hours later. Then he embarked on a nonstop venture, homing in on the promise of a needed scoring punch in left wing Wojtek Wolski and the chance to improve the blue line with Derek Morris. Among other deals, the Coyotes obtained right wing Lee Stempniak from Toronto, and acquired defenseman Mathieu Schneider from Vancouver, who at 40 is in his 21st season and won a Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1993. "For us, it's important, not only for the locker room, to show that we're serious," Maloney said. " . . . It's to show that players in there that, ..."
Coyotes, coach Dave Tippett expect big rebound from loss to Blues
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March 4
Arizona Republic
 
"Coyotes forward Wojtek Wolski (pronounced VOY-tek VOL-skee) will see a lot of familiar faces Thursday night - all of them lining up against him when he battles his former Colorado Avalanche teammates at Jobing.com Arena. "It's a little nuts to think I'm going to be playing against them, but I think it's the best thing, just getting it over with," said Wolski, obtained Wednesday in exchange for Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter. The Coyotes play their next three games at home and then 11 of their final 15 on the road. They are fifth in the Western Conference with 79 points, one spot and three points better than the Avalanche. The Coyotes are seeking to rebound from Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the ..."
Avs make Wolski-for-Mueller swap
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March 4
Denver Post
 
"Young and talented, but not living up to team expectations. The same thing often said about the Avalanche's Wojtek Wolski was said about Peter Mueller in Phoenix. The Avalanche is hoping a move to Denver will get the hockey world back to saying good things about Mueller again. The Avs acquired Mueller, 21, and prospect Kevin Porter from the Coyotes on Wednesday for Wolski, arguably the biggest trade of the NHL's annual deal-a-palooza. The Avs also reacquired center Stephane Yelle from the Carolina Hurricanes and prospect Harrison Reed for prospect Cedric-Lalonde McNicholl and a sixth-round draft choice this year. In 2006, the Coyotes drafted Mueller eighth overall. His rookie season gained ..."
Jackets Trade Alex Picard
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March 3
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets have traded forward Alex Picard -- the franchise's No. 1 pick in 2004 -- to Phoenix for forward Chad Kolarik. Kolarik, 24, was a seventh-round pick (No. 199 overall) in the 2004 draft. He is 5-foot-11 and weighs 185 pounds."
Leafs send Stempniak to Coyotes
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March 3
TSN.ca
 
"The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward Lee Stempniak to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for a fourth and seventh round draft picks. The 27-year-old Stempniak will be joining his third team in five NHL seasons. In 61 games with the blue and white, Stempniak has 14 goals and 15 assists with a minus- 10 rating."
Leafs Send Stempniak Packing
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March 3
TSN.ca
 
"The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward Lee Stempniak to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for two draft picks. The 27-year-old Stempniak will be joining his third team in five NHL seasons. In 61 games with the blue and white, Stempniak has 14 goals and 15 assists with a minus- 10 rating."
Veteran Schneider Heading To Coyotes
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March 3
TSN.ca
 
"The Vancouver Canucks have traded veteran defenceman Mathieu Schneider to the Phoenix Coyotes. It is not yet determined who is coming to Vancouver in return, but it is believed to be a draft pick."
Avs trade Wojtek Wolski to Phoenix for two forwards
Comment
March 3
Denver Post
 
"The Avalanche this morning traded left winger Wojtek Wolski to the Phoenix Coyotes for forwards Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter. Wolski, 24, had 47 points in 62 games for the Avs this season, but only two goals in his past 25 games. He is in the last year of a contract that was paying $2.8 million. Mueller was the eighth pick of the NHL draft in 2006. He played two seasons in the U.S. National Team development program at Ann Arbor, then two years of major junior with the Everett (Wash.) Silvertips. He scored 22 goals his rookie season with the Coyotes in 2007-08. But Mueller's career has been in a tailspin since. This season, he has only four goals and 17 points in 54 games. Mueller, 21, is ..."
Phoenix Coyotes trade for Wojtek Wolski, Derek Morris
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March 3
Arizona Republic
 
"The Coyotes traded forwards Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter to the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday for left wing Wojtek Wolski. Defensemen Derek Morris also returned to the club. Mueller has four goals and 13 assists. Porter has spent most of this season with the San Antonio Rampage. Wolski, 24, has 17 goals, 30 assists and is a plus-15. "Wojtek Wolski is a terrific young offensive player," said general manager Don Maloney in a statement. "He is a talented goal scorer that will help us offensively and on the power play. He has great size and is just entering the prime of his career.""
Avs Acquire Mueller, Porter From Coyotes For Wolski
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March 3
TSN.ca
 
"After a disappointing season in the desert, Peter Mueller will be given a fresh start in Colorado as the Avalanche have acquired the young American sniper along with forward Kevin Porter in exchange for Wojtek Wolski. After a strong rookie season in which he scored 22 goals and added 32 assists, Mueller has taken a significant step back in his development as he has only four goals and 12 assists so far this season. Mueller was originally the Coyotes first round pick, 8th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft."
Coyotes Acquire Derek Morris From Bruins
Comment
March 3
TSN.ca
 
"Derek Morris is on the move once again as the Phoenix Coyotes have acquired the blueliner from the Boston Bruins. The deal is reportedly for a draft pick. This will be the Edmonton-native's second tour of duty with the Coyotes as he parts of five seasons in Phoenix prior to being sent to the New York Rangers for Dmitri Kalinin, Petr Prucha and Nigel Dawes in 2008."
Coyotes' Scottie Upshall aggressively tackling rehab
Comment
March 3
Arizona Republic
 
"It's no surprise that Scottie Upshall's mind-set is full-speed ahead as he continues to rehab from his ACL surgery about a month ago. His goal is clear: Practice in four months, games in six. He will be rehabbing in the Valley until season's end and then return home to Kelowna, B.C. to continue the process. "It's a calming feeling in the back of my head to know I'm surrounded with good trainers and good people who want to get me better," Upshall said. "As an athlete, it's tough to get injured, but coming back with rehab is now the most-important thing. You put your mind to that, which I am and focused on, things are going to go well." Upshall's procedure was performed in Birmingham, Ala., ..."
Coyotes return to get routed by Blues
Comment
March 3
Arizona Republic
 
"The door the Coyotes are trying to open to reach the playoffs for the first time in eight years slammed them square in the face Tuesday night. And after it clanged shut, their coach sent them a message. In one of their weaker performances of the season, the Coyotes failed to keep an early lead and were battered 5-2 by the St. Louis Blues in front of an announced crowd of 10,385 at Jobing.com Arena on Tuesday night. "It's disappointing," said coach Dave Tippett, who took one question in his postgame news conference. "I don't have much to say about that game. It's very disappointing we come out of the break like that." "We have to recognize how hard teams are going to play in the stretch, ..."
Coyotes must seize the day, surge to playoffs
Comment
March 3
Arizona Republic
 
"Nothing about the NHL has changed. It's the same old, cold, crazy niche sport with the smelliest locker rooms on the planet. Except for a few small details: The Winter Games elevated Sidney Crosby over Alex Ovechkin. They turned a goaltender, Ryan Miller, into an American idol. And they made it the perfect time for the Coyotes to charge into the playoffs, thereby snagging a small percentage of all the new, flag-waving fans. "It was such a great moment for hockey," Coyotes captain Shane Doan said. "You have to be able to capitalize on it a little bit." It is folly to believe the Olympics suddenly will push the NHL's popularity back into the mainstream. Doan knows that, too. Americans didn't ..."
Coyotes' Shane Doan, Tyson Nash fly F-16s
Comment
March 1
Arizona Republic
 
"Coyotes forward Shane Doan and analyst Tyson Nash recently flew in F-16s with pilots from Luke Air Force Base. "It was incredible, awesome," Doan said. "I had an absolute riot, and we got to 9. 3 Gs." Both took control of the jets for a time, and he said his respect for pilots skyrocketed."
Don Maloney: Team won't give away talent
Comment
March 1
Arizona Republic
 
"The big news on the Coyotes front is that they are on the verge of their first playoff spot in eight years. But there is old news that remains relevant: General Manager Don Maloney will not sacrifice what he considers top assets to bring in a player who might be gone at season's end. The NHL's freeze on trades during the Olympics ended at midnight Sunday, and the window remains open until 1 p.m. (Arizona time) Wednesday. Money is not the issue for Maloney; it's his belief that success is built and then ensured through a solid foundation. Any deal he makes would fit that parameter. "I still believe we are growing this franchise," he said. "We expect to win. We're a playoff team, and we ..."
Phoenix Coyotes eager to return to action
Comment
March 1
Arizona Republic
 
"The Coyotes are returning to a game-playing mind-set, and coach Dave Tippett said Sunday's practice was productive. "A lot of things we want to review and cover here," he said. "There's some conditioning situations, but there's also some review and how we want to play. The guys were very attentive, we had a good practice. One more good one before we get back at it for real." That happens Tuesday night when the Coyotes host the St. Louis Blues, the first of four games at home before a strenuous March road schedule kicks in. The Coyotes are fourth in the Western Conference, and the Blues 12th. "I think you have to look where they are in the standings, the desperation they're going to play ..."
Petr Prucha looks good in practice
Comment
February 27
Arizona Republic
 
"Forward Petr Prucha skated without the yellow jersey Friday and went through a full practice. Prucha suffered an upper-body injury in the final game before the break and was taken off the ice on a stretcher. "He looked good," coach Dave Tippett said. "He had no (ill) effects, looks like he'll be good. The Coyotes return to action Tuesday, hosting the St. Louis Blues. "So far, no problems, so it looked like I recovered completely," Prucha said. He said he has no qualms about returning since he followed trainers' instructions. "That's what gives you a little bit of confidence because they know what to do in a situation like that," he said. "So I'm trying not to think about it and play like ..."
Coyotes' Michalek adjusting to Olympic role
Comment
February 25
Arizona Republic
 
"There are no easy games in the Olympic men's hockey tournament, and there is no easy way for Zbynek Michalek to sit and watch them. The Phoenix Coyotes defenseman and his Czech Republic countrymen survived a scare from Latvia in the opening round of elimination play Tuesday night. The 3-2 overtime win at UBC Thunderbird Arena earned the Czechs a quarterfinal meeting with Finland at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The Czech Republic, 5-2 winners over Latvia in round-robin play, bolted to a 2-0 lead Tuesday off a fat, 16-4 advantage in shots in the first period. Latvia, behind iron-clad goaltender Edgars Masalskis, steadied in the second and made a game of it in the third. "It's not fun when you keep a ..."
Coyotes' MacLean grateful for call-up from minors
Comment
February 25
Arizona Republic
 
"Left wing Brett MacLean, who has shown an excellent scoring touch in the minors, calls it an "honor" to be called up to the NHL for the first time. He practiced for the first time Wednesday as the Coyotes returned to the ice for the first time in 10 days because of the Olympic break. "It's what every kid strives for, " said the 21-year-old MacLean, who has a team-high 24 goals and 21 assists in 55 games this season for the San Antonio Rampage. "I worked hard down there and happy to be here to show what I can do." MacLean had a combined 219 points in two seasons with Oshawa in the OHL before going to San Antonio for the 2008-09 season, where he finished with 21 goals and 40 points. Not ..."
Coyotes' Michalek adjusting to Olympic role
Comment
February 24
Arizona Republic
 
"There are no easy games in the Olympic men's hockey tournament, and there is no easy way for Zbynek Michalek to sit and watch them. The Phoenix Coyotes defenseman and his Czech Republic countrymen survived a scare from Latvia in the opening round of elimination play Tuesday night. The 3-2 overtime win at UBC Thunderbird Arena earned the Czechs a quarterfinal meeting with Finland at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The Czech Republic, 5-2 winners over Latvia in round-robin play, bolted to a 2-0 lead Tuesday off a fat, 16-4 advantage in shots in the first period. Latvia, behind iron-clad goaltender Edgars Masalskis, steadied in the second and made a game of it in the third. "It's not fun when you keep a ..."
Schlemko, MacLean join Coyotes
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February 24
Arizona Republic
 
"The Coyotes recalled defenseman David Schlemko and forward Brett MacLean from the San Antonio Rampage on Tuesday. Schlemko, 22, has appeared in 17 games for the Coyotes this season, recording a goal and five points. He scored his first NHL goal for the Coyotes in a 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars in November."
Coyotes will be in good position after break
Comment
February 15
Arizona Republic
 
"Nineteen games separate the Coyotes from their first playoff berth in eight years. They have had a few chances in the interim but always seemed to find a way to lose. But these are not the same old Coyotes - they keep finding ways to win. They finished play before the Olympic break in fourth place in the Western Conference with 79 points, equaling last season's total. The Coyotes are 11 points ahead of No. 9 Dallas and No. 10 Detroit,both with 21 games left. It took 91 points to make the West playoffs a year ago, but that number likely will not be enough this time. The Coyotes do not need perfection: They can go 8-8-3 and finish with 98 points; the Stars and Red Wings could storm to the ..."
Prucha leaves game on stretcher
Comment
February 14
Arizona Republic
 
"A scary moment put a new spin on the game for the Coyotes, and it had coach Dave Tippett wondering why officials are not enforcing the NHL's stance on high hits. The Coyotes' Petr Prucha's head and neck were slammed into the glass early in the game by James Neal of the Dallas Stars, and he lay motionless on the ice for about seven minutes. Prucha was evaluated and released, and he is listed as day to day. That hit pushed the Coyotes' hot button, but they were unable to follow through and dropped a 3-0 decision to the Stars in front of an announced crowd of 16,734 on Saturday night at Jobing.com Arena. "The league, all I've heard for months is how we're bearing down on head shots," Tippett ..."
Rookie scores twice as Avs top Coyotes
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February 13
Denver Post
 
"Rookie Matt Duchene had two goals, the second to break a 1-1 tie with 4:33 remaining in the third period and give him 20 for the season, as the Avalanche beat the Phoenix Coyotes 2-1 on Friday night at the Pepsi Center. The victory was Colorado's fourth in a row, and the Avs are 11-4 in their last 15. Colorado and Vancouver, which won at Columbus on Friday, both have 76 points in 60 games, but the Canucks are listed in first place in the Northwest Division because they have more victories. The Avalanche again made defensemen John-Michael Liles and Ruslan Salei healthy scratches, and Colorado ended up short a body on the blue line after Adam Foote suffered a back injury in the first period ..."
Phoenix Coyotes finding ways to win 1-goal games
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February 12
Arizona Republic
 
"One-goal games reveal a lot about a team's character and mind-set. There is a huge difference between playing to win and playing not to lose. The Coyotes grasped that concept early in coach Dave Tippett's tenure, and it has paid off with a 21-4-5 record in those situations. "We try to play aggressive," Tippett said. "There's certain things you've got to do to be smart, but we try to keep an aggressive mind-set all the time. "The best way to defend is to keep the puck in the other team's end, so we will always try to keep an aggressive mind-set. But doing things right allows you to not put yourself in trouble." Victories in close games have instilled a lot of confidence in the Coyotes. ..."