2009-2010 Phoenix Coyotes: Desert of Bankruptcy

2009-2010 Phoenix Coyotes: Desert of Bankruptcy

Going into the 2009-2010 NHL season the Phoenix Coyotes were experiencing an abundance of financial problems that couldn’t be solved overnight. Team owner Jerry Moyes filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and proposed to the Arizona Court that control of the Coyotes franchise be given to a group led by Jim Balsillie for over $200 Million and then be relocated to Hamilton, Ontario. The NHL stepped in to make their own offer, and after a long legal battle the NHL emerged triumphant, keeping the Coyotes in Phoenix while they would look for a new ownership group that was loyal to the Phoenix market.

In 2009-2010 the Phoenix Coyotes went 50-25-7 (overtime losses) with 107 points, finishing just 6 points behind the San Jose Sharks in the Pacific Division. The Coyotes went 29-10-2 on their home ice called the Jobing.com Arena, and they went 21-15-4 on the road. Throughout most months of the regular season the Coyotes played solid enough hockey as they went 9-4 in October, 10-2-3 in December, 8-5-1 in January, 4-3 in February, 10-4-1 in March and 3-0-1 in April.

In head-to-head play the Coyotes went 4-0 against the Minnesota Wild, 4-2 against the Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars, 3-0 against the Nashville Predators, 3-1 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers, 3-2 against the Los Angeles Kings, 2-1 against the San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues, 2-2 against the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks.

Right winger Radim Vrbata had 24 goals and 19 assists for 43 points with 7 power play goals, 7 power play assists and 4 game-winning goals off 266 shots. Center Matthew Lombardi had 19 goals and 34 assists for 53 points with 12 power play assists off 174 shots. Right winger Shane Doan was the Captain of the team and he had 18 goals and 37 assists for 55 points with 11 power play assists and 4 game-winning goals off 234 shots.

Right winger Scottie Upshall had 18 goals and 14 assists off 119 shots. Right winger Lee Stempniak had 14 goals and 4 assists off 48 shots. Center Petr Prucha had 13 goals and 9 assists off 128 shots. Defenseman Keith Yandle had 12 goals and 29 assists for 41 points with 11 power play assists off 145 shots. Left winger Taylor Pyatt had 12 goals and 11 assists off 121 shots. Center Martin Hanzal had 11 goals and 22 assists off 147 shots. Defenseman Ed Jovanoski had 10 goals and 24 assists with 9 power play assists off 117 shots.

Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov went 42-20-6, allowing 156 goals off 1961 shots in 4084 minutes, recording 1805 saves, a .920 save percentage, a 2.29 goals against average and 8 shutouts. Backing up Bryzgalov would be Jason LaBarbera who went 8-5-1, allowing 33 goals off 459 shots in 928 minutes, recording 426 saves, a .928 save percentage and a 2.13 goals against average.

Two winning streaks proved to make a big difference for the Phoenix Coyotes as they would first go on a 6-game winning streak. This streak began on January 26 with a 5-4 overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings, and the streak would end on February 5 with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The second winning streak was a big 9-game winning streak which made the rest of the NHL take notice of Phoenix, which began on March 4 with a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche, and the streak ended on March 21 with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Dallas Stars.

The Western Conference Quarterfinals between the Phoenix Coyotes and the Detroit Red Wings was a battle to the bitter end as it went the 7-game distance. Unfortunately for the Coyotes, the Red Wings would emerge triumphant 4 games to 3.

In Game 1 on April 14 at the Jobing.com Arena, the Coyotes started the series with a 3-2 win. Left winger Tomas Holmstrom put Detroit on the board first with a goal 12:17 into the 1st period. At 14:13 in Phoenix had a power play goal scored by Keith Yandle, and then Detroit responded with a power pay goal scored by defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom at 16:27 in. In the 2nd period left winger Wojtek Wolski scored a power play goal at 6:15 in. In the 3rd period defenseman Derek Morris would come through in the clutch for Phoenix as he scored a power play goal at 2:19 in.

In Game 3 on April 18 at the Joe Louis Arena the Coyotes beat the Red Wings 4-2. In the 1st period defenseman Sami Lepisto scored a goal for Phoenix just 0:29 into the game. At 14:42 in center Valtteri Flippula scored a power play goal for Detroit. At 19:28 into the 2nd period Wolski scored a goal. At 8:16 into the 3rd period Petr Prucha scored a goal. Detroit had a goal scored by left winger Johan Franzen at 9:59 in, and then Radim Vrbata scored a goal for Phoenix at 11:38.

In Game 6 on April 25 at the Joe Louis Arena the Coyotes managed to avoid elimination with a 5-2 victory. Left winger Lauri Korpikoski scored a short-handed goal for the Coyotes 4:10 into the 1st period. Defenseman Matthew Schneider then scored a power play goal for Phoenix 2:27 into the 2nd period. Just seconds later at 2:51 in defenseman Brad Stuart responded for Detroit by scoring a goal. Vrbata scored another power play goal for Phoenix at 10:09 in, and then Wolski tacked on another goal at 14:01 in. Taylor Pyatt scored a power play goal for Phoenix at 5:25 into the 3rd period, and Detroit’s other goal proved to be inconsequential as center and left winger Darren Helm scored at 16:29 in.

While they were ousted from Stanley Cup contention early, the Phoenix Coyotes had much to look back on in a positive light as players and staff would receive awards based on their season accomplishments. Ilya Bryzgalov would be named NHL Third Star of the Month in October 2009, Second Star of the Month in December 2009, and then First Star of the Month in March 2010.

Acknowledged for assembling this team, General Manager Dan Maloney would be named NHL General Manager of the Year. Head Coach Dave Tippett would be awarded the Jack Adams Trophy for his solid guidance of his players on the bench. Shane Doan would win the King Clancy Trophy, an award given to the player who best represents leadership qualities both on and off the ice while contributing as a humanitarian to his community.

The “Desert of Bankruptcy” ultimately didn’t effect the Phoenix Coyotes in any negative way as the team would remain in Phoenix for the foreseeable future.