Feb 14, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher (12) fights for a loose puck against Phoenix Coyotes center Antoine Vermette (50) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

It was a very tight game that was 0 – 0 after 2 periods of play. However early into the 3rd period Nashville blew it open with a flurry of goals early and late 3rd period. Coyotes played desperate hockey but kept slipping further away from the pot of gold. Pekka Rinne was lights ouot in goal stopping all 19 shots and even break aways that stifled the ‘Yotes offense all night.

Gabriel Bourque, Nick Spaling, and Mike Fisher scored the trio of goals to avenge the 4 – 0 shutout delivered by Phoenix earlier in the young season.

After a day off Phoenix will face a both Columbus and Calgary at home.

Saturday 6pm Columbus Blue Jackets

Monday 7pm Calgary Flames

It will be nice to see a good showing for these games as once again potential owners will be looking on with a buzz of interest in making bids of late. LeBlanc and Hulzeizer may even team up to acquire the team and keep them in Glendale for decades to come. Mayor Jerry Weiers has claimed  a few potential owners were interested and willing to work with the city to iron out a lease agreement beneficial to both sides.

COO Mike Nealy fielded questions on Arizona Sports 620 and felt quite confident the city wants to keep the team in Glendale and sustain the momentum created with the team. Attendance was near 16,000 the first few season in Phoenix. There was a slight lull as they transitioned to Glendale then spiked back up. Only the past 3 seasons did we see the average drop from 15,500 per season down to 12,000.

If I had to guess I would say an owner will be secured at season’s end and the new owner will have the off season to change things in time to make a public relations push for the 2013-2014 season. Everyone cross your fingers and HOWWLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Which Coyotes squad will take the ice in the thin air of Colorado? Will it be the gritty hard nosed defense with a brick wall behind them stopping every wayward puck? Or the Milli Vanilli, dancing around impersonating Dave Tippett’s system guys. Early in the 2013 season we have had a tale of two teams. Good news is if you remove the Chicago Blackhawks and a few minutes against the Sharks (which are both tops in the playoff standings) you’re left with a shootout loss to the Oilers and a pair of 4-3 losses to Dallas one in OT.

Of course there is the defending champs the LA Kings who have been struggling. With shutouts against Dallas and San Jose recently it begs fans to overlook the Chicago debacle which got out of hand with several 5 on 4 and 5 on 3 chances. Take away the rough 1st period and you have a 2-2 squeaker. But hey here we sit 5 – 5 – 2 and sniffing the playoffs from the outside looking in.

No rest for the weary with 2 more road games against the Avalanche and Predators. Both winnable games if we get Coyote UGLY on them. Then a beatable Columbus team and Calgary without Kiprusoff will be waiting in Phoenix a week from today. My opinion is the next 4 games will show us a few things. Is this team a contender capable of being disciplined?  Will system or mistakes prevail in the coming week? Is Smitty fully back and healthy or will we get a 6 goal game against any time soon?

Today is the first day of the rest of our lives in the desert. Each win grows fan and potential owner confidence. So time to dig deep and HOWL loud. Let’s GO COYOTES! MIKE SMITH too!