ARIZONA COYOTES

Off the Ice: Coyotes fail to answer the February call

Mar 4, 2012, 4:11 AM | Updated: 6:10 am

Having a target on your back in the NHL is a tricky business and the Phoenix Coyotes have dropped the ball so far in March.

After an unbelievable February in which the team went 11-0-1, the Coyotes have dropped two bad losses in a row to teams they could have — and should have — beaten.

When the win streak finally concluded with Thursday’s loss to Calgary, I figured it was time for a bad game. No one likes them, but they are an inevitable fact in sports. Things happen, mistakes are made and no one is perfect. They still held the Pacific Division lead, so there was really no damage done.

But Saturday, the Coyotes blew an opportunity. When every team in the NHL is keeping an eye on your play, you can’t drop bad games. Getting beat by a team in a tough battle is one thing, but visibly being the worst team in a loss is another.

The 5-2 loss to Columbus even left head coach Dave Tippett what is going on with a team then went from white-hot to ice-cold in a 48 hour period.

“It was not good enough,” he said. “There was an emotional engagement that we can bring in for a short period. Why don’t we have that the whole time? That’s puzzling for our group right now.”

No surprise, but Tip hit the nail on the head. The Coyotes win games because of their emotional play and tight-knit group. They don’t have star power or a true “wow” player and that’s fine. Hockey is a sport that must be played with emotion in every shift, or the guy who wants it more is going to run all over you.

The lack of energy and effort in the first period Thursday was understandable. Maybe coming down off of the win streak-high or just a natural slump. But Saturday, it was again another lackadaisical team who took the ice and another hole for the Coyotes to dig themselves out of.

Arizona Coyotes

Matias Maccelli #63 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during an NHL game at Mullett Arena...

Associated Press

Josh Doan nets twice in NHL debut, Coyotes score 4 goals in 3rd and beat Blue Jackets

Josh Doan had two goals including the go-ahead score in his first NHL game and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2.

2 days ago

ASU hockey player Josh Doan and father Shane Doan wave to fans before the ceremonial first puck to ...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes forward Josh Doan scores twice in NHL debut

Coyotes forward Josh Doan scored twice in his NHL debut on Tuesday. Doan had goals in the second and third period against Columbus. 

2 days ago

Josh Doan...

Damon Allred

Arizona Coyotes recall forward Josh Doan from Tucson Roadrunners

The Arizona Coyotes recalled former second-round pick Josh Doan, son of former captain Shane Doan, from the Tucson Roadrunners.

3 days ago

Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck while being defended by Alex Kerfoot #15...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes fall to Dallas Stars for 2nd time in last 3 games

Miro Heiskanen broke a tie with 5:28 left and the Stars won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Coyotes on Sunday night.

4 days ago

Dylan Guenther...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther scores overtime game-winner vs. Kraken

Dylan Guenther scored in overtime to give the Arizona Coyotes a win over Seattle on Friday night.

6 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Liam O'Brien...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ struggles in Dallas continue despite Clayton Keller stacking goals

The Dallas Stars extended their home points streak against the Coyotes to 19 games with a victory on Wednesday night.

8 days ago

Off the Ice: Coyotes fail to answer the February call