Arizona Coyotes: Desert Digest, Vol. V
The past week in Arizona Coyotes news, opinion, and game analysis:
The season is off and running, and the Arizona Coyotes are well under way in their second full season as the Arizona Coyotes. The past week brought a couple of notable headlines for the Desert Dogs:
Mike Smith off to a rough start
The Coyotes opened the season at home against the Winnipeg Jets in a less-than-stellar fashion, with all the team’s key players looking worse for wear (save a few notable exceptions).
The team lost 6-2 against their conference rivals, with four of the six goals against coming in the first period; head coach Dave Tippett was unimpressed, as was starting netminder Mike Smith.
"“The two mystery players of the night were Mike Smith and Keith Yandle. Yandle took an immense number of shots throughout the night, but very few that were well-placed. He seemed to be strongly supported by his second pairing, Michael Stone, and spent a lot of time chasing down the puck in his own zone.Smith, on the other hand, played a curious game. He wasn’t given much assistance on the blue line, but he still let in a couple of questionable goals.”"
To read the full game recap, click here.
Devan Dubnyk saves the day (and the puck)
In contrast to Smith’s shaky start to the season, backup netminder Devan Dubnyk made his regular season debut against the Los Angeles Kings- and did an admirable job. After letting in two early goals by the Kings’ seventies line, Dubnyk stopped every shot launched at him to assist the team in obtaining a 3-2 overtime victory.
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Puck Prose
Other stars in the second game were Shane Doan– who has been on fire so far this season, Oliver Ekman-Larsson (who scored the game-winning OT goal), and Keith Yandle, who was credited with assists on all three goals.
The team will take that victory and hopefully ride that game-winning high to a second straight win on Wednesday, as they take on the Edmonton Oilers.
We’re taking this upcoming win a step farther, though- tell us who you think should start in goal between Dubnyk and Smith.
To read the game summary for the team’s first victory of the season, click here.
Andrew Barroway Buys In
It’s official- the Arizona Coyotes have made it big, as Pennsylvania financial guru Andrew Barroway has officially signed off on a deal to purchase a 51 percent share of the team.
The deal, which is worth an estimated $307 million, will inject enough capital in the team to eliminate one of the private investment loans used to purchase the franchise two years prior. This estimated $9 million in revenue relief could push the team into the black for the season, which would be one giant step towards ensuring the team remains in Glendale for years to come.
The Howlin’ Hockey staff discussed the sale in the second Howlin’ Hockey Podcast, and the full story can be read on the Coyotes Official Website.
Keep checking back with us, there’s sure to be more news throughout the week! Howl on, Coyotes fans.