Pekka Rinne and Predators dump Coyotes to end road trip with a shutout
By Troy Baker
All and all it was a successful road trip for the Phoenix Coyotes. Unfortunately it didn’t end very well on Valentine’s Day being shutout 3-0.
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!