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AP: 1bf05fd1-6712-4c1f-8c50-43b80a342836
Chicago Blackhawks' Marian Hossa (81) of Slovakia, leaves the game after taking a hit from Phoenix Coyotes' Raffi Torres (37) during the first period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Chicago, Tuesday, April 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Paulie Puck prefers to keep it simple. (Is that because we're a card carrying simpleton? Uh, we refuse to dignify those questions…)

Instead, let's get a show of hands here regarding another simple question: Who's willing to play dirty? You know, as in "Hockey the Hard, err…Dirty Way."

Specifically, who's willing to withstand headlines across North America that scream "Dirty Hit" in bold print? Who's prepared to listen to irate opposing coaches proclaim that our style of play "makes me sick." Who's equipped to absorb hit ‘n run tweets from Chicago fans that paint our Coyotes as "classless" and "nasty."

Put in real simple terms - who's willing to play whatever stinkin' style it takes to advance out of the first round for the first time ever?!

Because, guess what? That line now forms behind me. I'm ready and willing. Without a doubt, my response to all of these questions happens to be a definitive and emphatic YES.

Get ‘er done. And how the Coyotes get there doesn't really matter anymore. Heck, go sign Oggie Oglethorpe for all we care. Pick up the phone and dial 1-800-NHL-GOON.

In a couple of months, we may not even own the Phoenix Coyotes. The chances are good that the Doggies will become the latest Arizona short sale. So, forgive me if I'm treating this team right now like a rental car ("Uh, did we just run over something? Hossa? Whatever, it's a rental…")

Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather be known for the occasional big hit (BIG, BIG hit) than the Big El Foldo every postseason. And we do mean every single year in the history of the Phoenix Coyotes. Hence, the time has arrived for "Hockey - Whatever Way is Necessary…"

Again, maybe it's just me since I was standing there in St. Louis when, over a dozen years ago, Coyotes head coach Jim Schoenfeld guaranteed a win in Game Seven (#Buzzer). Forget Lord Stanley, it's been "Oh Lord, not again…" ever since.

So, this year, if Coyotes players are all ready to star in one of those "I Can't Take It Anymore" movies, can you blame ‘em? (Rated R for Reviled).

In fact, if the NHL league office is trying to diagnose why the team it owns is playing with the bile of a bunch of desert dogs? Well, this team is merely playing the hand it's been dealt. Then, think of everything the Coyotes have been forced to deal with the past few years, right?

Meaning, if you believe that whatever you deal out to others will be dealt to you in return…then the rest of the NHL might be in real trouble.
27 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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    anonymous1523 wrote...
    Really?
    April 19, 2012 12:10 pm
    Did I read this right? Are you really advocating deliberate attempts to injure someone, particularly one of the classiest and respected players in the NHL? You say you'd rather be remembered for the Torres hit rather than being knocked out of the playoffs in the first round every time the Coyotes made it? Why not for making an astounding comeback during the regular season a few years back?
  • Abuse
    anonymous1523 wrote...
    continued...
    April 19, 2012 12:11 pm
    The Torres hit goes beyond the extreme goonery that is coming to define the 2012 playoffs. This hit will revive arguments from those who are emphatic in their belief that fighting should be banned from hockey all together, which would be a travesty. Back in the old days the NHL was scrappier than it is today, but the players at least had respect for one another. Torres is a disgrace to hockey.
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    anonymous1523 wrote...
    continued #2...
    April 19, 2012 12:11 pm
    "Meaning, if you believe that whatever you deal out to others will be dealt to you in return..." Choose your words wisely. The next time it could be your captain that gets taken off the ice on a stretcher.
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    westflame202 wrote...
    I agree
    April 19, 2012 12:41 pm
    I don't want anyone to get hurt, but I also realize that the Yotes need to play physical in order to win. Hawks fans are making such a big deal about the hit because they lost, plain and simple. We did the same thing after the Shaw/Smith hit (to a much lesser degree). Let's get to round 2!
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    Coyote girl wrote...
    Fair game
    April 19, 2012 1:11 pm
    Nothing has changed in sports violence except the way social media and TV replys has been used to manipulate sports and violence. People are kidding themselves if they think the 'cheap shots' and 'dirty playing' are new or worse. They are not. I's funny the same cheap shot Shaw used against Smith was not an outrage simply because he toughed it out and stayed in the game! I agree that players should not intentionally try to kill an apponent but in reality sports are about winning and money. At whatever cost. There is not one coach in hockey or football that tells their players to play nice!
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    6thCavAirCav wrote...
    You go Coyote Girl.
    April 19, 2012 1:43 pm
    The wussification moves on. I was their in the old days when Howe cracked his stick over the back of maple leaf defesemen. Or when Patrick Roy split open a wingers calf with his stick because he was blocking his view of the puck. If you don't like the fights don't watch. Go Coyotes. By the wat talk to Jeremy Roenick about fair play when he had his jaw broken in the Dallas Stars game. He was the leading scorer that year. They targeted him in game 6.
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    Calvinator wrote...
    Media Foolishness
    April 19, 2012 1:44 pm
    This hit was blown way out of proportion by the big market media. To Chicago Blackhawks fans I say, 'cry me a river.' The reason the hit was blown out of proportion by the media was that Hossa was down on the ice for about 5 min. and taken off by a stretcher. Later he left the hospital of his own power. Playoff hockey is about hard, tough, and gutsy physical prowess. The 'Yotes have finally found what it takes to be a nasty contending team! In order to win in the playoffs a team must play extremely physical. Keep it up 'Yotes! Great article Paulie Puck. I totally concur with you.
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    anonymous1523 wrote...
    Wow...
    April 19, 2012 2:06 pm
    The playoffs are not about who can knock out the most players from the opposing team. Finesse, skill, and the ability to finish a hard,clean check without the intent to ruin another player's NHL career are what defines the playoffs. What Torres did (and has done several times) was anything but. To all of your "by any means necessary" comments I say the hockey gods are watching and will dispense with justice accordingly.
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    darkstorm wrote...
    Hit or not to hit
    April 19, 2012 2:43 pm
    When Smith got plowed into nobody in Chiago cryed out in fact they all cheared .Now that there player is hurt owww poor us you guys play dirty they should look at there own players yes cheap hits need to be clean up But untill that happens and I mean all teams there will be hard hits.
  • Abuse
    Calvinator wrote...
    @ anonymous1523
    April 19, 2012 2:48 pm
    Put up or shut up. You are not a 'Yotes fan, so go back to Chicago. Nobody wants to read your banter and whining. Hockey is all about hard checks and the players know when they sign contracts that they are playing a physical sport that entails nasty hits. As a fan of hockey, I pay to see this extreme physical play! Besides, the players have the top insurance coverage for hits like these, and they are played darn good money. Go 'Yotes!!!
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