My collection of thoughts I've had since the start of the season until the start of this blog, reader's digest version.
Old Jets vs New Jets: I'll start by complaining that they kept the Jets name. Because now I see too often that the new Jets being regarded as a continuation of the old Jets, and not the Thrashers. Gee, way to my team's history while disregarding your own.
But onto the actual game. I think the forced rivalry between the two teams was a little silly, and I don't think that it was as important to the players as it was to myself and many other fans.
After all of the torment we've endured from the vocal minority of Jets fans heckling us that we'd be moving, and after the final insults of the vocal minority of Jets fans booing Coyotes jerseys walking into the area, we conquered this great evil that had been looming over our heads. "Winnipeg" had become synonymous with "relocation".
And we crushed them.
Every cry of "Go, Jets, go!" from the so-called-invasion was immediately drowned out in a roar of "LET'S GO COYOTES". And now it's really over, I don't really care too much how successful or unsuccessful Winnipeg is this year. That game was the end of a painful chapter in this team's history, and now it's done and time to move on.
On ownership: Just getting this out of the way and being done with it. We're here to stay. I believe that. For every team that's been relocated: I'm sorry. I'm sorry for fans of the many teams that have been in a similar situation to ours. Have some respect for Coyotes fans, and remember when it was you.
Our shiny new toy: More on Bryzgalov later, this is for Smith.
I had a healthy amount of skepticism bringing him in, as this is a person who I knew very little about and was supposed to replace the likes of Ilya. But if Tippett requested him, that's good enough for me.
IN TIPPETT WE TRUST.
And Smith is amazing. I can't believe this is still being debated. Did he let in a bad goal being out of the net? Yes, and that was disappointing but look at all the other goals we've been able to score because he can get the puck up the ice that much faster for us. He's made some supernatural saves this year, the team loves him, I love him. I think he's better for the team than Bryzgalov was, and I think that's already starting to show.
Haters of Walsh and Bryzgalov: I just don't get this. Smith is exponentially better for this team than Bryzgalov was, and Bryzgalov was great. Bryzzy (Breezy?) helped to carry this team to the playoffs two years running. I won't ever forget this and won't ever stop respecting him for it. He earned the right to go for the big bucks in Philly, and if he doesn't want to play for us, then fine.
All this hatred for Todd Walsh has me just as confused, after the "Bryzgalov incident" before the Philly game. If you haven't heard the interviews, check them out. I was shocked what our players had to say about the Russian bear; shocked that they would say such things, but I believed every word. Should it have been said? Probably not, and we look extra unclassy after losing that game too.
Is it Walshie's fault? I don't see how. That is kind of his job. He didn't ask the players how much of a jerk they thought Bryz was, he asked them what their feelings were about him going into this game. What other radio and TV hosts wouldn't ask their teams the same thing?
I respect Walsh, even if I do think he's a little corny sometimes. He's been nothing but supportive for this team, and these players, and you can tell the emotional investment he has in the Coyotes. If only we had ten of him representing us on the television and radio stations, we'd be a lot better off in this ownership situation.
I liked him before it was cool: Rostislav Klesla.
Listen I have witnesses to vouch for me on this.
Last year I was sad to see Upshall gone, but cautiously optimistic to have this "Klesla guy" in when our defense was broken. Very early in to his career as a Coyote, Klesla takes a puck to the face to block a shot and I fall in love with this warrior of a hockey player. Thank God he is finally getting the recognition he deserves.
I'm only mad at him because he makes it so hard to choose what name goes on my next jersey: Smith, Korpikoski, or Klesla?
The San Jose Sharks: I respect this team when we are playing against them more than any other team in the league. There, I've said it, and I'd say it again if I had to.
I don't know what it is, but every game between these two clubs is so gritty. The intensity is that much stronger, and it's not just because we're division rivals. There is just some real explosive chemistry between us, and I love it.
A perfect example would be our second game against them this season, with our first being a complete joke. Smith gets his first shutout as a Coyote. Everyone is redeemed for the utter failure that started this season. We showed that we can humiliate and beat down their club just as well as they can do to us.
Bring on round 3, San Jose. Win or lose, it's bound to be a great show.
