ADAM GREEN

For Coyotes, series is over when focus turns to refs

May 18, 2012, 4:29 PM | Updated: 6:00 pm

“Ultimately, you know, they’re a pretty good team.
They’re getting some breaks on some calls I think that
eventually wore us down.”

And with that quote from Coyotes coach Dave Tippett, you
can officially put the 2011-12 season to bed for the
Desert Dogs.

Their magical postseason run, one that seemed like it
could be destined for the Stanley Cup Final just a week
ago, will come to an end at the hands of the Los Angeles
Kings and, unfortunately, a lack of toughness when the
Coyotes needed it most.

Because, while the officials in this series have been bad
— really, really bad — they are not the reason the
Coyotes will be watching the next series on T.V.

The Kings are simply a better team. Somehow. In every way
imaginable. And Tippett, who is easily one of the best
coaches in the NHL, knows it.

Spending time discussing how players benefit from
“embellishment” — a tactic known as flopping in other
circles — is noble in that, honestly, he’s right. But
still, that’s not what you want to hear.

A coach who thinks his team can beat an opponent does not
spend multiple press conferences talking about
officiating. A coach who thinks his team can beat an
opponent discusses exactly how it can happen, saying that
a small change here or there can be the difference.

That is not the case in this series, and it stinks.

But it’s reality.

“But, you know, this last series, we just haven’t been
able to get enough guys to the level that we need to
get to,” Tippett added. “We talked about that after the
first couple games. The level is being raised here. We
just haven’t been able to get to the next level.”

They have not been able to get to the next level because,
quite frankly, they can’t. The Kings are the Coyotes’
first two postseason opponents combined: Chicago’s offense
with Nashville’s goaltending.

Everything Coyotes fans may have feared coming into this
series has come to fruition, and the last thing the team
needed was shaky officiating. But they’re getting it, and
are not handling it particularly well.

“Obviously that hurts any team when you’re getting calls
like that, momentum taken out of the game,” defenseman
Keith Yandle said. “We were doing a good job of rolling
four lines. On those penalties, you got to run only four
guys. That’s something that took us out of the game a
little bit.

“But you can’t blame it on that.”

No, you can’t, and it’s unfortunate the officials are even
a topic of discussion. However, that’s what happens with
fans, because we look for a reason to explain our team’s
demise that does not involve admitting they’re just not as
good.

But when the thought process seeps into the dressing room
and is one of the first things out of a coach’s mouth?

That’s a sign it’s time to turn out the lights, because
there’s nothing left to accomplish.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Adam Green

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Zack Greinke adjusts his cap between pitches against the Colorado Rock...

Adam Green

Concerned about Zack Greinke? Yes, I am

It's early, yes, but Zack Greinke's struggles this season are unexpected and concerning.

8 years ago

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones, who was acquired in a trade with the New England Patri...

Adam Green

Chandler Jones is the most exciting addition in Arizona Cardinals history

The Cardinals added Chandler Jones not to make them good, but to get them to the Super Bowl.

8 years ago

Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers Zack Greinke and Patrick Corbin (46) prepare to hit during a spring t...

Adam Green

Money, expectations change the game for Diamondbacks

If the Diamondbacks are concerned about big heads due to being "offseason winners," they need look no further than to a division rival as a cautionary tale.

8 years ago

Phoenix Suns' P.J. Tucker (17) and Devin Booker (1) react to a foul call during the second half of ...

Adam Green

Who knew the Suns bottoming out could feel so terrible?

While the Phoenix Suns being bad may actually be a very good thing, the way they have hit the bottom is difficult to stomach.

8 years ago

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians watches during the second half of an NFL football game ag...

Adam Green

Trust leads to Arians’ aggressive approach with Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals had just coughed up a 14-point fourth quarter lead and had the ball at their own 16 with just 58 seconds left in a tied game.

8 years ago

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, left, greets Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palm...

Adam Green

Cardinals show road to NFC West title goes through Glendale

Prior to the game there was plenty of talk about how the Cardinals had yet to beat a winning team and were not nearly as good as their record may have indicated.

8 years ago

For Coyotes, series is over when focus turns to refs