Es scheint so als ob die Wende im Spiel der Coyotes mit der Rückkehr von Mike Ricci und Shane Doan zusammenhängt. Zumindest die Spieler scheinen dies so zu sehen - hoffen wir, dass es wirklich ab sofort besser läuft und man heute die Minnesota Wild schlagen kann.

Es gibt auch wieder einen “Game Day Thread” bei HFBoards - [1] hier.

Der aktuelle Artikel von AZCentral.com:

Doan, Ricci’s return lifts spirits

Jim Gintonio
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 24, 2006 12:00 AM

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The return of captain Shane Doan and Mike Ricci to the lineup earlier this week did more than just give the Coyotes a much-needed ice presence. Coach Wayne Gretzky said the two popular players also helped infuse excitement into the locker room.

“When I told the guys before the game (Wednesday) that they were playing, there was definitely a feeling in the locker room and an excitement we haven’t had in a long time,” he said. “I have a good sense that they (Coyotes teammates) are happy both are back in the lineup.

“Both are very unselfish. Shane has been in and out with his injury (back). With Mike (neck surgery), nobody anticipated when he’d be able to come back, or if he’d be able to come back.”

Doan missed 10 games, and Wednesday’s game was Ricci’s (neck surgery) first of the season.

Asked how much he wanted to play in today’s game against the Wild, Doan laughed and said: “The more the better. I definitely want to play, and they know I want to play.”

He said his back is a little stiff and tight but that’s he feeling no pain.

Ricci says he feels good physically, and, “Hopefully, the adrenalin flows until the end of June.”

The chemistry on the team, Ricci said, remains high.

“I have not had problems fitting in with guys,” he said. “The last few weeks I was around a little more, getting used to being back in the room. We’ve got a good group of guys here, that’s why we’ll get better. With the guys in this room and the camaraderie we have, we can really put some wins together.”

Wing Georges Laraque said getting the pair back provides a boost, and that a team can only compensate for the loss of key players for so long.

“When they come back, it just makes our job easier,” he said. “It’s an emotional boost.”

Who’s that goalie?
Coyotes television analyst Darren Pang, who ended his three-year NHL career with Chicago after the 1988-89 season, volunteered to get in goal for Thursday’s practice because Curtis Joseph had a day off.

“You know I’m not Cujo, right?” he asked. “What gave it away, the 434 wins compared to my 27 or the 4 feet from my head to the crossbar?”

Pang said he enjoyed the experience, but he said as he got into Joseph’s gear he had to ask him for help strapping everything on.

“I felt like I was 9 years old again, with Mommy and Daddy helping me put the straps on,” he said. “We kind of forget and lose perspective on how hard they try every single day.”

Ice chip
Bumps and bruises kept Coyotes left wing Oleg Saprykin off the ice at Thursday’s practice. It’s nothing serious, and he’ll be available tonight.

Today’s game
Coyotes at Wild
When: Noon.
Where: ExcelXcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minn.
TV/Radio: AZ-TV/KDUS-AM (1060).

Wild update: Minnesota dropped a 4-2 decision to Montreal in its last outing and remains tied for first with Edmonton in the Northwest Division. In the first meeting of the season between these two teams earlier this month, the Wild lost 4-3. Minnesota’s strength is its balance. Brian Rolston has 19 points, andwith three players haveat 15: Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Pavol Demitra and Mikko Koivu.

Quelle: [2] http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/1124coyotesnb1124.html