Stronso

The Phoenix Coyotes opened their 2003-04 regular season with a dramatic 2-1 overtime win against the St. Louis Blues on Friday at AWA, but now the focus turns to their first divisional game against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim at the Arrowhead Pond on Sunday._ Game time is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on WB6, 93.3 KDKB FM and KDUS – AM 1060._



Sunday’s game against the Ducks will also begin a three game road trip that will conclude in Florida with games against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday and Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.



“Friday night’s win was a good momentum builder for our hockey team,” said defenseman David Tanabe, who scored the game-winner in overtime against the Blues._ “This road trip will be a nice challenge for us against three good hockey teams._ We played the Ducks a couple of times during the exhibition season, so we know we have to be ready to play because they are a solid team.”



The Coyotes faced the Ducks twice during the preseason and lost the first meeting 4-3 in overtime, followed by a 3-1 loss on October 2 at AWA._ These two Pacific Division rivals will play each other six times during the regular season, three home and three away._ Phoenix had a record of 6-7-4-3 within their own division last year, including 1-5-3-1 on the road._



“Anytime you play one of your divisional opponents, the intensity will increase to a higher level, ” said Coyotes right wing Mike Johnson._ “We have to make sure we take care of business on the road and not let points slip away._ Collecting points in the standings in October is just as important as picking them up later in the year.”



The Ducks, who are the defending Western Conference champions, have lost their opening two games by a combined score of 7-2._ Anaheim enters the 2003-04 campaign with some new faces on their roster including:_ center Sergei Fedorov and left wing Vaclav Prospal._ With the departure of Paul Kariya, the Ducks named center Steve Rucchin as their new captain._ Phoenix players realize that Anaheim will be determined_ to get that first win of the new season.



“Anaheim is a very good team and they possess a strong work ethic,” said Tanabe._ “Similar to our team, they rely on everyone to contribute to be successful._ They added Sergei Fedorov this past summer and have a quality goaltender in Jean-Sebastien Giguere._ We will need to bring our best game with us because it will be their first home game and I am sure they will come out with a lot of energy.”



The Coyotes will try and spoil the Ducks home opener and build some momentum of their own during the current road trip._ Phoenix has a schedule that will include 25 of their first 41 games on the road, which will allow the Phoenix players time to bond as a unit away from home.

“Having an early season road trip can really help bring a team together,” said head coach Bob Francis._ “Guys will have an opportunity to spend some time together on this road trip and come together as a unit._ Winning on the road is a challenge for every hockey team in the League and we just need to stay focused on what we need to do to be successful.”_



COYOTES INJURIES



Mike Sillinger (Hernia Surgery – 4-6 weeks)



TEAM LEADERS



PHOENIX COYOTES



Goals – Daymond Langkow/David Tanabe (1)



Assists – Shane Doan/Ladislav Nagy/Brian Savage/Cale Hulse (1)



Points - Daymon Langkow/David Tanabe/Shane Doan/Ladislav Nagy/Brian Savage/Cale Hulse (1)



Goaltenders – Sean Burke (1-0-0, 0.93 gaa, .958 save percentage)



MIGHTY DUCKS OF ANAHEIM



Goals – Rob Niedermayer (2)



Assists – Sandis Ozolinsh/Stanislav Chistov/Sergei Fedorov/Joffrey Lupul (1)



Points - Rob Niedermayer (2)

__________________