DDB: Notes from Friday’s practice and more

GLENDALE – After back-to-back games on Wednesday and
Thursday nights, the Coyotes held an optional skate on
Friday at the Ice Den in Scottsdale. About one-third of
the players skated.

Among those on the ice was newcomer Cal O’Reilly, who is
expected to make his debut with the Coyotes on Saturday
night vs. Edmonton. Phoenix acquired O’Reilly from
Nashville a week ago today, but he has missed the three
Coyotes games since the trade because of a minor lower-
body injury.

Because O’Reilly appears ready to play, the Coyotes on
Friday reassigned center Andy Miele to the American Hockey
League. Miele did not register a point in five games with
the Coyotes. Head Coach Dave Tippett said he wants Miele
to get more ice time in the AHL and work on his defensive
zone coverage and faceoffs while there.

• Center Martin Hanzal did not skate on Friday. Hanzal is
still considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury
suffered in Wednesday’s game at Colorado.

• Both Mike Smith and Jason LaBarbera were on the ice on
Friday. Smith is expected back in goal vs. Edmonton after
watching LaBarbera play vs. Nashville on Thursday. Smith
has stopped 141 of 149 shots in his last four games (3-0-
1).

• The photo above taken on Monday when five
Coyotes players – Shane Doan, Boyd Gordon, Smith,
Rostislav Klesla and Derek Morris – visited patients at
St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix for Halloween. Coyotes
Charities will be auctioning the jerseys the players wore
next week at auction.nhl.com.

• Saturday’s game vs. Edmonton is starting at 7 p.m. and
not 6 p.m. as most Saturday games do. The reason for the
later start is that the game is being televised by CBC as
part of “Hockey Night in Canada.’ There is no local TV
broadcast of the game.

• Did everyone see the “Mantracker” episode featuring Doan
on Science Channel earlier this week? If not, check out
this recap of the episode
filmed just after the 2010-11

• FYI, Westbound Loop 101 will be closed between State
Route 51 and 35th Avenue from 4 a.m. on Saturday until 9
a.m. on Sunday. This will include the I-17 on-ramps to
Westbound Loop 101. This closure will impact anyone
driving to Saturday’s game from the NE Valley. Just like
on opening night, the Coyotes are suggesting an alternate
route of SR 51 South to I-10 West to Loop 101 North.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Contact Dave Vest at thedesertdogblog@phoenixcoyotes.com and
follow him on Twitter @davest4yotes.
For information on upcoming Phoenix Coyotes games, please
visit
http://coyotes.nhl.com

Follow @theAdamGreen