Yotes: For Pete's Sake. . .

Now, even though it's incredibly late, and I'm running on a week of little sleep, you didn't really think I'd go to bed without writing something, although just a little something, on the Coyotes and their newest player, now did you?

As I was out on the Island Thursday night, I did not see that game, except for the few minutes I Tivoed through.

I was out Friday night as well.

I plan to watch/skim both games tomorrow sometime. (Wishful thinking though it may be.)

But, I did watch some pieces and I got some quotes for you. I will try - and I do hope other's do the same - to keep the Prucha updates coming as much as possible. That much will not change, I promise. The uniform changed, but my devotion will not.

Surely it'll just take more effort from me, but come on now, what truly great things in life came easy, hmmm?


To get started, before the Yotes -(am I allowed to call them that yet?)- /Sabres game, the talk centered around the new players on the team and their first game the night before.

"Petr Prucha came as advertised. A kid that is willing to take a hit to make a play. Gets up after he gets hit. Gets into the scoring areas." - Darren Pang

And after he got an assist - his 1st point as a Coyote and 114th of his NHL career - on Matthew Lombardi's Powerplay goal:

"Prucha did a lot of work though. Prucha was strong on the puck. Protected it. Went to the middle. And then just got it over to Lombardi and Lombardi finished it off."

Looks to me from the replay like Prucha went behind the net, got tripped up by Sekera, popped back up, regained control of the puck, and brought it out to a location where Lombardi could make a nice move in front of the net.

Now where have we seen that before? When have we NOT seen that before?


I've only seen a few moments of these games, and I cannot imagine I will be able to watch them in their entirety or see all the remainging games for the team, but a few things encourage already.

Prucha getting the opportunity to play with Shane Doan (a guy having a marvelous year and one of the game's great leaders) and Matthew Lombardi on the 1st line.

Prucha getting powerplay time.

Prucha playing with a young, energetic lineup.

Prucha being coached by Wayne Gretzky.


Tell me that's not a goal scorers dream.


Phoenix, whether it's for just this year or beyond, will be good for Prucha and for for Nigel Dawes as well.


And take comfort in knowing that from my earliest indications, Pete is the same player. He will play with the same spirit, heart, and moxie that we know and love him for. And he will be just fine.

He will be more than fine.