ADAM GREEN

Green: Let’s jump on the bandwagon

Feb 4, 2010, 12:58 AM | Updated: Jan 14, 2011, 4:24 pm

People like to say the fans in Arizona will only follow a team if they win games.

While that appears to be the case, especially with the Cardinals, the best team in the state remains very much under the radar.

At 34-18-5 with 73 points, the Phoenix Coyotes are currently second in the Pacific Division and fourth in the NHL’s Western Conference, setting themselves up for their first playoff appearance since 2002.

Yet, you probably don’t know that.

The Coyotes have had big wins over conference rivals in the Red Wings, Sharks, Canucks and Blackhawks and exciting wins like Tuesday’s 10 round shootout in Nashville. They have beaten the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins, and yet, I’m betting most people around the Valley could not tell you a thing about how the Desert Dogs are doing.

They have stars like Shane Doan (who was the NHL’s First Star last week and Ilya Bryzgalov (who stopped 25 of 25 shots, and then 9 of 10 in the shootout Tuesday), and I bet there are many local fans who do not know who these two are.

Now, an admission: I fall closer to that group than I do with Coyotes and NHL die-hards. I would like to change that, however, and this year looks to be the perfect time.

As a sports fan, what do we look for out of the teams we follow? Exciting sport? Well, most people would agree that hockey is a very entertaining sport to watch live. Competitive team? We already discussed that. Players without giant egos who you will not find in the headlines for all the wrong reasons? After having the opportunity to cover the team some for Arizona Rubber Magazine, I can tell you the players on this team are worth rooting for.

So, why are people not watching what is happening over in Glendale?

It’s possible that the team’s losing ways alienated an already shaky fanbase, that disappointing year after disappointing year wore thin with fans. It is likely that hockey, as somewhat of a fringe sport here in the desert, just never took hold when the other major professional sports, as well as ASU, are in the same market.

If I had to guess, though, I would say the main reason fans have not gotten behind their hockey team is because of the location of their home ice. As anyone who has gone to a Cardinals game knows, the drive out to the West Valley from anywhere not in the West Valley can be a mess. Add rush hour traffic to that, and good luck getting anywhere by 7 p.m.

But I digress. We all have excuses- reasons- to have not been real Coyotes fans in the past. Hell, if there had not been all the rumors and talk about them possibly moving I doubt I would have given them as much as a second thought over the summer.

That they did not move to Canada and instead moved on from the disaster known as the Wayne Gretzky era not only gives us a second chance at being fans, but also the opportunity to watch quality, entertaining hockey.

Feel free to join me on the bandwagon; there is plenty of room for all of us.

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

Green: Let’s jump on the bandwagon