Well.... We went the the game on Saturday. It was our first Play Off experience. I made White Out Shirts, we were pumped. PUMPED! We got there early and actually enjoyed the Arena with it a little less empty. There was a special air about the place. It was ready. It was poised. The ice was calling to the Coyotes. It was a beautiful feeling. All the seats had a white pom pom on it. People starting filing in. So many people wearing white.... (not everyone though. I will exclude the Blackhawks fans... but Coyotes fans... really? You couldn't get a cheap white shirt to wear???) They came out and practiced. You could see their play off beards. Intensity. The first period starts..... we're playing okay. Started a little slow, Blackhawks scored first. The fans were obnoxious. It was one goal and they're cheering like they won the Stanley Cup. That's cool though. It was still the first period, and we are the ultimate underdog. We overcome. And we do. We scored. Every puck Smitty stopped was unforgettable. He flashed the leather. He made it known he got the puck. Everyone was on the edge of their seat. By the second period we were 2 to 1. It was looking good. They scored. But a little over half way through the game, Smith goes behind the net to play the puck and Shaw comes around a throws his shoulder up and makes direct contact with Smith's head. He falls. Everyone stands. He's hurt. He's hurt bad. Labarbera jumps on the ice and stretches, waiting, preparing. This could be bad.... seconds feel like hours as we watch Smith get up. He pours some water down his neck and shakes it off. No one was expecting that. Shaw got a 5 minute major and was kicked out of the game (and he was suspended for three games today!) So we rallied and scored on the power play! We showed them! So by the third we're up by one and it is looking great. We came out with a vengeance. Smith was as good as ever. He made some great saves..... 15 seconds left. The crowd stands, waiting to scream with joy. 10....9....8....7.... Blackhawks are in our zone. They pulled their goalie....6...5....5.5..... And the Blackhawks score......... And their fans go crazy. It was ridiculous. They didn't win yet. As everyone gets up to stretch their legs, all the Blackhawks fans get in all of our faces and start talking all kinds of crap. It was just childish and disrespectful. They were in OUR house. They were almost fan fights. It was going to get ugly. Overtime starts and we are fierce. Many of the childish, younger fans are flipping off the players. I mean, really? We are fighting for our lives. But it's not good enough.... a bad line change, and a bad pass and the blackhawks score. And the fans go wild. They are screaming and they start throwing they're trash down to the lower level and to the ice. It was just rude. They didn't win the series yet. It was one game! ONE GAME! They acted like they won the whole entire thing. They were the most disrespectful fans.
I wanted us to win.... but I was okay with the loss. We played a great game. Hanzal got hurt in the first period and didn't play... and then we get a cheap shot to our goalie in the second.... and disrespectful fans throughout the whole game.... but we still played a fantastic games through all the disadvantages. And I'm not saying we need a pity party, or for people to feel sorry for us, because we are better than that.
What I'm not okay with is the way the fans of the Blackhawks acted. It was wrong. It was childish. It makes the team look bad. It makes hockey fans look bad. It was rude. And completely unnecessary. Who knows what else these fans will do... maybe riot and burn their city... oh wait that was the Canuck's fans.....But they could be next. I do not care for the Blackhawks, or their fans. You fans are the worst of the worst. And remember, we are loyal to our pack. If you mess with them, you mess with us.
But remember this..... The Phoenix Coyotes are resilient. They overcome. They rise above. They are the underdog. They persevere.
And the want redemption....
So get ready Chicago... We are bringing the heat tonight.... and you're going to burn.
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