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Arizona Coyotes In The IIHF World Championship

By William Grigsby

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Keeping Track Of Arizona Coyotes Playing In The IIHF World Championship

Seven players who played for the Coyotes during the 2014-15 NHL season are playing for their respective countries at the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championship in Prague, Czech Republic. Included are: Mark Arcobello (USA), Martin Erat (Czech Republic), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Sweden), John Moore (USA), Connor Murphy (USA), Tobias Rieder (Germany) and Mike Smith (Canada).

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A spectacular opening ceremony took place before the puck drop, featuring a magician wielding a huge wand, a giant puck gliding around the ice, and scenes from Czech culture projected on the ice. The 2015 cartoon rabbit mascots, Bob and Bobek, descended from the ceiling inside an enormous top hat and leaped on to the ice before playing some charmingly goofy hockey.

Amid dramatic red lighting, leather-clad Czech rockers Kabat performed their hard-hitting new song “Brousime noze” (“We Are Sharpening Our Blades”), which is dedicated to the Czech national team.

IIHF President Rene Fasel took the microphone to declare the 2015 IIHF World Championship open. “I wish all of you a great championship,” he added. Based on Day One, that wish will be fulfilled.

Here’s how each Coyote player has done so far:

  • Mark Arcobello – one goal, one assist in 3 games
  • Martin Erat – one goal, two assists in 3 games
  • Oliver Ekman-Larsson – one goal, four assists in 3 games
  • John Moore – no goals, no assists in 3 games
  • Connor Murphy – no goals, no assists in 3 games
  • Tobias Rieder – no goals, one assists in 2 games
  • Mike Smith – GA 4, GAA 2.00, SVS 38, SOG 42, SV% 90.48, W 2, L 0

It’s easy to see that Oliver Ekman-Larsson is playing really well for the Swedish team, and Martin Erat is doing well too. Mike Smith has been in the nets for Team Canada, and today won the decision when Canada defeated the Czech Republic 6-3. Mike Smith is also playing himself back into the goaltender we all knew he could be, after a disastrous season. It shows that if he has a solid defense in front of him, and an offense who can put some goals up on the board, he can be very effective.

The other comment I’d like to make about the IIWF World Championship is the point system they use. If you win a game you are awarded 3 points, if you win in overtime you are awarded 2 points, and if you lose in overtime you are awarded 1 point. To me this would help with decreasing shootouts, which seems to becoming less and less attractive to the league, as well as the fans.

There has been no surprise yet, with the U.S. (9 pts.), Canada (9 pts.), Sweden (8pts.) leading the standings. Our own OEL is eighth in scoring, and is the only defenseman in the top ten in scoring… that does not surprise Arizona Coyotes fans. He is one talented hockey player, and he plays here.

Let’s stay in touch with what our Arizona Coyotes are doing in the the IIHF Championship games, and cheer them on!

Click here to get the latest: iihfworlds2015.com

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