Phoenix Coyotes Succeeding Despite Uncertainty over Future

The Phoenix Coyotes are currently one on the most troubled franchises in all of American professional sports. The team is facing an uncertain future in Phoenix (actually Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix), where the city is struggling to raise the necessary financial support to run the team. 

The NHL has taken over ownership of the Coyotes, while the city is being sued over its attempts to keep the team there. Attendance has been pretty poor too.

Yet the Phoenix Coyotes currently find themselves only one point out of first place in the Pacific Division of the NHL's Western Conference.

Regardless of the fact that they are surrounded by turmoil, Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett and his players are performing their duties magnificently.

It's not easy to succeed when almost every off-ice factor is against you, but somehow the Coyotes are getting the job done. 

To be clear, the Coyotes are a talented team with a great coach who made the playoffs each of the previous two seasons. However, in a situation where the entire franchise is pretty much unloved and unwanted, it's difficult to play with any sort of passion or effort.

The players on the team have managed to separate the business and hockey aspects of their jobs, and are doing the best they can in the hockey aspect—the one that they have control over.

If only the city, the fans and the NHL were working as hard to fulfill their duties as the Coyotes' players and coaches currently are, we wouldn't have this mess in the first place.

The Phoenix Coyotes' on-ice performance is the only bright spot in an otherwise dreary situation. For that, the players and coaches deserve a whole lot better—especially from their fans. 

Go out and support a team that has earned that support.