Phoenix Coyotes

Coyotes Jet to Winnipeg

As I stated in my original post a few months ago at this point, the Coyotes and Flames were to square-off in the first city the Coyotes franchise called home, Winnipeg. Mark Messier dropped the ceremonial first puck.

With many young forwards vying for spots on the team, Enver Lisin made his strong bid to add some more offense to the squad and impressed Head Coach Wayne Gretzky. He’s a good young man and it’s nice to see him get a couple goals, and he’s going to get a nice long look (in the exhibition season).”

The Jets faithful and general hockey fanatics in Winnipeg were ultimately disappointed with the outcome ( but treated to a heck of a game. Nearly 13,000 watched the third preseason game this week (Phoenix did lose all three).

Randy Sportak’s article in the Calgary Sun gives an interesting opinion of the Calgary view. Dion Phaneuf was a monster in this game and his general enthusiasm is something I really look out for in players. What a gamer and if this motivation is any indication at all of the season he is going to have….Clutch timinng and game breakin’ ability! Sure, detractors could cite his giveaways in the first period that led to goals (and why not….), but I wil not start complaining until he does it for Team Canada.

I am disappointed that the NHL does not have the gamesheets and boxscores available on their websites, though as I write that even my eyes are rolling. Right, it is just the preseason. The best indicator is that Calgary led the way in shots 41-24. Netminder Al Montoya was replaced in order to give Josh Tjordman some work. The Flames eventually tied on Matt Pelech’s goal, and then won it on a rebound marker by Daymond Langkow.

Anyhow, the Coyotes’ have an upstart defenseman in the mix as well. Mathieu Brodeur (3rd rounder in 2008, 6′5″-190 lbs) has impressed and is competing very hard. Phoenix has been duly impressed by young defenseman Jonas Ahnelov.

Phoenix’s forward lines for Thursday’s game will be:

Jeff Hoggan-Kevin Porter-Viktor Tikhonov
Alex Bourret-Mike Zigomanis-Steven Goertzen
Daniel Carcillo-Garth Murray-Enver Lisin
Chad Kolarik-David Spina-Brian McGrattan

Michael Tellqvist is scheduled to play the entire game in net for the ‘Yotes tonight against the Flames.

25 September 2008
Robin Keith Thompson