Phoenix Rising: Coyotes' Efforts Shouldn't Go Unnoticed

I was at a party just before Christmas, and was asked on camera to give my prediction of who will win the Stanley Cup this year.

Everyone made their guesses—the usual dominant teams who, year after year, make respectable races toward the Cup.

Then I piped up, “Phoenix Coyotes!” The prediction was met by laughter all across the room.

Okay, so Phoenix is not exactly a powerhouse in the NHL, but I had to go with my gut instincts. I have a good feeling about this team.

I have always been one to support the underdogs. For one, I am a die hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan…enough said. I also own a Leafs jersey, custom made to reflect my favorite NHL player (and as most Leaf fans know, the ultimate underdog) goaltender Mikael Tellqvist.

So I guess you could say I am a sports fan of high hopes, and I figured I might as well keep with tradition and pick one of the most underrated teams in the NHL right now as my Stanley Cup champions.

I understand that odds are against the Coyotes. And that even if they do manage to secure that last playoff spot, they will be facing the unstoppable Detroit Red Wings. But let’s face it—stranger things have happened.

We must give the Phoenix Coyotes some credit. They have rebounded from an embarrassing 2006-2007 season in which they finished last in the Western Conference with 67 points and an unimpressive 31-46 record.

If it were not for an even more abysmal season for the Philadelphia Flyers, the Coyotes would have finished dead last in the entire league.

But Phoenix has certainly put last season behind them, currently sitting 10th place in the West with 77 points, only three points from that final playoff spot.

Fresh off a 2-0 shutout win last night against Vancouver, there is no doubt that Russian goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov has given Phoenix just what they need to make a respectable run for that last playoff spot in the West.

His impressive .923 save percentage and 2.33 GAA may be just what takes this team into their first postseason since 2001-2002.

With only 11 games left in the Coyotes’ regular season, my fingers are crossed that they can overcome their tough competition and secure themselves a playoff spot. They have put in the hard work and certainly deserve it.

If Phoenix actually does make the Stanley Cup finals, I certainly deserve a round of beers from everyone who laughed at me that night we all made our predictions.

In true underdog-supporter fashion—go Coyotes!