COYOTES PREPARE FOR AVALANCHE
By:_ Damon Markiewicz
After having Monday off, followed by a workout and golf tournament on Tuesday, the Phoenix Coyotes turned up the intensity level at practice at the ALLTEL Ice Den on Wednesday morning with their complete focus on their upcoming schedule.
The Coyotes will begin a stretch of games this week that includes three games in the next four days starting on Thursday evening when Phoenix hosts Peter Forsberg and the Colorado Avalanche at AWA._ Game time is 7:00 p.m. Arizona time and will be the second of four meetings between the two clubs in a week’s time.
“After last week’s game against Colorado, we know what to expect from the Avalanche and realize we need to be ready defensively,” said Coyotes captain Shane Doan, who is second on the team in scoring with 5-8-13 totals in 14 games._ “You can’t give their talented forwards too much time because they will make plays and produce offense._ They are explosive and you have to play a full 60 minutes limiting your breakdowns.”
In the first meeting of the season between the Coyotes and Avalanche, Phoenix took a 1-0 lead into the third period only to see Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk score third period goals to lead the Avalanche to a 2-1 win._ Despite not earning a point, Phoenix’s effort against Colorado was a step in the right direction for a team that was searching to get back to solid defensive hockey.
“I thought we played a strong game against the Avalanche last week,” said center Daymond Langkow, who is third on the team in goals this season with four._ “We stuck to our system play and played solid defense, but came up just short._ Colorado has a lot of firepower and we have to make sure that we produce an even stronger effort than last week’s performance._ We know we have to work extra hard against a team like Colorado just to compensate for their overall skill level.”
For Langkow, he is not only preparing for a tough opponent in Colorado, but also is adjusting to new linemates in Doan and left wing Daniel Cleary after it was announced last week that right wing Mike Johnson will miss three months due to shoulder surgery.
“It’s tough to lose a guy like Mike (Johnson) because he is one our smartest players on the team,” said Langkow, who along with Johnson and Ladislav Nagy, had become one of the Coyotes most dependable trios._ “At the same time, we have a lot of talented players on our club._ Myself, Shane (Doan) and Danny (Cleary) played well together against Anaheim and we have had some early chemistry.”
Cleary played in only one of the Coyotes first seven games, but recently has played in Phoenix’s last seven consecutive contests and has seized the moment when rewarded with additional ice time.
“Doan and Langkow can complement just about anybody and I have been able to fill a void right now with Johnson out for a few months,” said Cleary, who signed with the Coyotes as a free agent this past summer._ “All three of us seem to read off each other very well and have been able to generate some scoring chances._ Hockey is a game in which things can change pretty quickly and you have to remain mentally strong._ You can never get too high or too low and right now I just want to help the team win games.”
Battling through injuries is a way of life in the National Hockey League and Phoenix also saw Zac Bierk, one of their three goaltenders, suffer a hip flexor on Sunday against the Mighty Ducks._ Bierk is listed as day-to-day._ Brian Boucher, who hasn’t seen game action since October 16 at Tampa Bay, was back skating with the team during practice on Wednesday and is staying mentally prepared to play no matter how the situation plays out.
“I have been working hard with our goaltending coach Benoit (Allaire) on a regular basis and I feel strong,” said Boucher, who has been a healthy scratch for the previous eight games._ “It is tough not to be with the guys on a regular basis, but all you can do is stay focused and be well prepared._ I have had some good practice time this week and I am ready when needed.”
No matter who is in the lineup, the Coyotes will face a tough test this coming weekend when following Thursday’s home game against Colorado, they head to Dallas on Friday and Columbus on Sunday._ The Phoenix organization has demonstrated a tremendous amount of depth and now is the perfect time for that depth to take center stage.
“We have complete confidence in all of the players on our roster,” said Coyotes head coach Bob Francis._ “Over the course of a long season, everyone needs to contribute and you are starting to see that with our team._ We currently have a situation that is allowing some guys to step up and make the most of their time and we need that to continue.”_______
PRACTICE NEWS AND NOTES
LINE COMBINATIONS – With the absence of right wing Mike Johnson, the Coyotes have restructured their line combinations._ The trio of Branko Radivojevic, Jan Hrdina and Ladislav Nagy continued to skate with each other this week as well as the line of Brian Savage, Chris Gratton and Mike Sillinger._ Doan, Langkow and Cleary continue to skate together, followed by a combination of Tyson Nash, Krystofer Kolanos and Landon Wilson._ Left wing Andrei Nazarov, who has played in only two of the Coyotes first 14 games, is the extra forward.
GRETZKY OUT FOR A SKATE – Coyotes managing partner and alternate governor Wayne Gretzky skated with the club Wednesday morning and continues to be impressed with the Coyotes work ethic during the early part of the season.
“The guys have really competed hard in just about every game this season and when a team does that on a regular basis, good things will eventually happen,” said Gretzky._ “I think the
coaching staff has done a really good job and Shane Doan has really flourished as captain of this hockey team._ We have a tough challenge against Colorado on Thursday and will need to play a strong defensive game.”
Gretzky is also preparing for his involvement in the Heritage Classic, which will take place in Edmonton on November 22, and will feature the first NHL
regular season game played outdoors._ The contest will follow a game between alumni from Edmonton, led by Gretzky, and a team from Montreal, led by Guy Lafleur._ The event will be held at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium and over 52,000 fans are expected to watch the Oilers take on the Canadiens._ The Heritage Classic is the centerpiece of a year-long celebration commemorating the Oilers’ 25 seasons in the NHL and also marks the 86th anniversary of the NHL._
“It is a going to be a memorable moment for me for many reasons,” said Gretzky._ “It is going to be a great night for the sport, especially hockey in Canada, and will allow my kids the chance to watch me play in an Oilers uniform.”
TEAM LEADERS
PHOENIX COYOTES (4-6-3-1)
Coyotes Player Stats
Goals – Ladislav Nagy (8)
Assists – Paul Mara (9)
Points – Ladislav Nagy (16)
Goaltenders – Sean Burke (4-5-1, 2.65 gaa, .909 save percentage)
___________ Zac Bierk (0-1-2, 3.79 gaa, .889 save percentage)
___________ Brian Boucher (0-1-0, 5.00 gaa, .839 save percentage)
COLORADO AVALANCHE (9-5-1-0)
Avalanche Player Stats
Goals –Milan Hejduk (11)
Assists – Alex Tanguay (17)
Points – Alex Tanguay (23)
Goaltenders – David Aebischer (8-3-0, 2.56 gaa, .906 save percentage)
___________ Philippe Sauve (1-2-1, 2.36 gaa, .902 save percentage)
____
Linear Mode
