But in a much more subtle way, another Suns reserve and Stanford alum showed how his deployment in the playoffs might pay some dividends. Playing his first meaningful minutes – in months, Jarron Collins didn’t score but showed off a lot of the guile that could make him a useful pawn in a playoff series.

Collins is a master of getting in the way and getting under people’s skin. He draws fouls in a variety of ways and knows how to make opposing big men pay for their own lack of basketball savvy.

Collins drew two charges. He masterfully goaded Kobe Bryant into an early second foul by forcing the two to get entangled early in the second quarter. Every pick comes with a little something to remember, every collision or semi-collision comes with the appropriate body movement and facial expression designed to attract the corner-of-the-eye attention of officials.

And when the Suns capped their rally in the fourth quarter, it was Collins who was on the passing end of the alley-oop that Amundson flushed to forge a brief one-point lead.

“He’s a real pro,” Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry said. “There’s a reason why he’s stayed in the league and there’s a reason why he’ll stay in the league.

He hasn’t played in a lot of games, but keeps himself in great shape. He’s always ready to go. We told him that we had to have him tonight and he played (12) minutes took a couple of charges, made some defensive stops got some rebounds. It’s all you can really ask.”

There are plenty of limitations in his game as well, but he’s an interesting pawn to have on your bench when the chess match begins in the postseason…

As the Coyotes close in on what could be an exciting postseason (let’s face it any postseason that is your first in almost a decade is pretty exciting) more ominous news from the official franchise newspaper – the Toronto Globe and Mail – tells us that the bid to buy the team is once again in peril and the team’s viability in Glendale beyond this season is again in question.

That’s bad either way you slice it. Either the G&M is right – and they have a hit-and-miss track record over the years – or they are making a mountain out of a molehill just as the Coyotes are starting to turn heads around town.

This team just can’t buy a break:
*Dave Tippett is going to win Coach of the Year – well deserved, but not exactly a coveted award in the NHL since Jack Adams winners have a funny way of getting fired not long after.

Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov is getting a lot of publicity as a Vezina Trophy candidate. The Coyotes are neck and neck with Vancouver, Pittsburgh and New Jersey in the point standings. Take a look at the four rosters and tell me if that makes any sense at all.

GM Don Maloney appears to have pushed the right buttons at the trade deadline – although Peter Mueller, as was the fear, has seven points in five games with Colorado and doing all the things he flat stopped doing here.

But the Coyotes had lost three straight and were looking to Maloney for help before he made seven deals and brought in a slew of new faces to town. Since then, Phoenix has won three straight and remains in the fight for home ice in the postseason.

Several of the new Coyotes played major roles. Wojtek Wolski beat his old Colorado team with 20 second left in regulation. Lee Stempniak looks like the 27-goal scorer he was in St. Louis (three goals in three games). And the new depth gave Tippett the ability to bench the struggling forwards like Taylor Pyatt, who responded to the banishment with his best game in months in Wednesday’s win over Vancouver.

Now young Viktor Tikhonov, who has regained his confidence and his scoring touch (14 goals in 25 games on the Russian KHL) has joined the team. The skaters are now on notice : Bad shifts will get you benched and bad games will get you scratched. Try to remember the last time that was even an option with this franchise.

There is so much to enjoy about this team, only to hear that behind the scenes that the Valley is again in dire danger of losing its NHL hockey team – now that it finally has one.

A couple inconsolable Suns fans pick apart last night’s lost to the Lakers, breaking down the good (Amundson and Co.), bad (Lopez’s no-show) and ugly (crunch-time no-calls). Has Lou earned more playing time, and does Channing Frye’s versatility open the door for that to happen? Plus, we open the mailbag and address a S.M.O.L. critic.

E-mail your take on where the Suns go from here to sevenminutesorless@fanster.com, and we’ll read and respond on next Saturday’s 24-minute shot clock edition.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

The Phoenix Coyotes have announced today that they have recalled 21 year old Viktor Tikhonov from Cherepovets of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Tikhonov had been on loan to Cherepovets for the duration of the KHL season. In 25 games with Cherepovets he was the second leading scorer amassing 15 points (14 goals 1 assist).

Tikhonov will join the Coyotes but it’s not sure when on the road trip he will meet up with the team.

The White Sox would be able to take the lead in the sixth inning by scoring three runs. In the following inning, the Cubs would be able to regain the lead from the Sox as they scored three runs in that inning. The White Sox would score one more run in the eighth but the Cubs would hang on as they defeated their cross-town rival by a score of six to five.

Arizona hitting was superb as their pitching also performed well. Ian Kennedy would get his second win of the spring as he pitched for three innings, striking out two. The Diamondbacks would be able to hold the A’s to one run in the game that was scored in the ninth inning. The D-backs win by a score of ten to one.

In the fourth inning the Padres would be able to drive in a run for the first time in the game. Padres’ pitching would be able to hold the Rangers to no more runs for the remainder of the game but the team would only be able to score once more. San Diego’s early lead would give them the victory as the Padres defeat the Rangers by a score of six to two.

The Rockies would only be able to score one run in the fifth and another in the ninth while the Giants would be able to add three more runs in the seventh inning as they beat the Rockies by a score of nine to two.

In the sixth inning, the Mariners would be able to extend their lead to two runs over the Mariners. Seattle would be able to tie the game with two runs in the eighth inning as the game ends in a tie.

Before the day was over Milwaukee would score 12 times on thirteen hits and reach base via a walk eight times.  Brewers starter Doug Davis looked sharp in his return to the team allowing one one run and three hits in his three innings of work.

Angels starter Joe Saunders did not share the same success as his counterpart allowing four runs on five hits lasting only 1.2 innings. White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham and outfielder Alex Rios would be the offensive stars of the day knocking in two runs each.

The Reds would get to Luis Ayala in the 4th for two runs on a homer by left fielder Jonny Gomes. Cincinnati lead by a score of 3-0 heading into the ninth inning before the Dodgers tried to mount a rally off Carlos Fisher with two hits and two walks, but would fall one run short of the comeback. The Reds are now 4-3 on the spring and the Dodgers are 2-4-1.

Cleveland starter Jake Westbrook continued to struggle this spring going three innings and allowing four runs on four hits including the homer to Napoli.

Still, I think this group should rate some consideration for one of the post-season tournaments, preferably the NIT.

More than anything this group just needs to continue to get minutes together, and the non-NCAA tournaments are good for young teams in that regard. Despite Arizona's youth this group has done some positive things, and a trip to the post-season would allow them to continue building on them heading into the off-season.

One thing this team does reasonably well is shoot--when it gets shots. Arizona's True Shooting Percentage* (TS%) is 55%. *True shooting is an adjusted field goal percentage that accounts for the impact of 3pt shooting and getting to the free throw line. That's pretty decent, and the potential is there for growth. Arizona shoots better than NCAA tournament teams West Virginia and Tennessee as well as probable at-large teams Washington and Texas. All are generally considered good offensive teams. Derrick Williams (64%) is obviously a big part of that, but Arizona has few high volume/low efficiency chuckers, and that's typically a sign that guys are working hard to get good shots. That's a credit to the coaching staff and to those players. Having said that, going forward I have pretty major concerns about Kevin Parrom (42%) and Mo Mo Jones (49%). Shooting that poorly is a troubling sign from two players so highly regarded coming out of high school.

Arizona's Points Per Play (0.91) was the real problem with the offense from a team wide perspective. (BYU leads the country at 1.02). If you click the link and scroll down you'll see some tournament teams at .91 points per play, but very few below that mark. So Arizona was at the bottom end of decent. Points per play tells us how well a team is converting its possessions into points. We know this team converts its shots at a good percentage, but it just doesn't get enough shots. "And another turnover by the Wildcats," may have been the most commonly repeated phrase during any Arizona broadcast. Arizona's assist-to-turnover is .89, which is dreadful. For a team that has to grind out wins, it's a wonder that they managed to finish above .500 throwing away so many possessions. We can expect the turnovers to improve just in the course of some natural maturation and by playing together more.

The biggest improvement needs to come on defense. I can't put my hands on opponent shooting percentages, but foul-based metrics show a mediocre defensive team. Arizona committed 19.2 fouls per game--not very good. It also didn't make up for fouling with turnover-producing defensive plays. Arizona's blocks+steals/foul was only .44. So, many of Arizona's fouls were of the clutching and grabbing type. Although I often saw lots of effort on defense it often only resulted in fouls.

Let's hope Arizona gets an invite to a post-season tournament so we can send Nic off the right way and the kids can get some additional development.

Phoenix Coyotes vs Carolina Hurricanes

The Coyotes head back east to meet one of the hottest teams in the NHL in the Carolina Hurricanes.  However, you couldn’t tell that from their record.  As of today, the Hurricanes are 13th in the Eastern Conference (out of 15 teams) with a 28-31-8 record.  Fortunately for them, there is so much parity in the Eastern Conference (as well as the NHL), they still have a shot at making the playoffs (a slim one but they still can make the playoffs).  The first part of the season was a nightmare for the Hurricanes where they only managed to win TWO games in their first eighteen.  This along with amassing 255 man games to injuries of key players, pretty much set their season into a tail spin.

The Hurricanes have managed to turn the proverbial ship around and as of January 21st 2010 they are almost 100% healthy. In addition, the Hurricanes have an amazing 14 – 4 – 1 record since January 21 which includes 8 consecutive wins at home.  Add the Hurricanes 1-2 punch in net of Manny Legace and Just in Peters (Starting Goaltender Cam Ward is out of the lineup with a back issue.  He is listed as ‘Day to Day’).

I watched some of their previous games since the majority of the roster has come back from injury (I love you NHL Gamecenter).  Don’t let the Hurricanes season statistics fool you they are a very potent roster.

The Coyotes are coming off one of their sloppiest defensive efforts of the season….even though they won.  It was fortunate for the Coyotes that the Vancouver Canucks weren’t exactly sharp as well in their defensive end as well.

The Coyotes are starting to show signs that they can and will take their games to the next level with the depth they have added to the lineup at the trade deadline.  The next four games will be a great test for the Coyotes to build on their successes as well as trying new things in their offensive game.

Game Notes

- The Coyotes four game road trip will take them through Southeast Division teams  (Hurricanes, Thrashers, Lightning, and the Panthers)

- Since the Coyotes will be playing in Atlanta tomorrow, it is unknown who tonight’s starting Goaltender will be

- Eleven of the last 15 Coyotes games this season will be on the road

- In their last 2 meetings, the Hurricanes have outscored the Coyotes 12 – 4 dating back to 2008.

- Game will be available on NHL Center Ice

- Hurricanes goaltender Manny Legace will more than likely get the start in net tonight against the Coyotes

- Hurricanes Forwards Chad LaRose and Tuomo Ruutu are both one point shy of 100 career points.

- Coyotes newly acquired defenseman Mathieu Schneider is still listed as Day to Day with a Knee injury.

Things to watch for:

The Hurricanes offense vs the Coyotes Defense: You guys have to watch how potent this team is when they’re ‘on’.  They’re extremely fun to watch and will be a great game.  If the Coyotes bring their ‘Z’ game like they did with the Canucks, it may be a LONG night again.

Keys to the game:

Coyotes Power/Offensive Zone Play needs to start clicking: I know it’s only been a few games since the Coyotes acquired their new players.  Their play in the Offensive zone has finally shown signs of life.  They just need to keep building on it.

Keep the Hurricanes top two lines off the board: This Hurricanes team has some awesome firepower when they’re healthy.  The emergence of Jussi Jokinen as a major scoring threat in the NHL this season is something the Coyotes are no doubt going to hone in on.

Secondary Coyotes Scoring: Pyatt and Fiddler were amazing against the Canucks.  THIS is what the Coyotes need from here on out….players who can and will step up to take control of the game.

Officials:

Referees – Eric Furlatt #27; Kyle Rehman #37
Linesmen – Andy McElman #90; Derek Nansen #70

Injuries/Scratches:

Coyotes: Kurt Sauer(IR), Scottie Upshall(IR), Robert Lang(Day to Day), Mathieu Schneider(Day to Day)
Hurricanes:Cam Ward (Day to Day – Back)

Just when you thought the Phoenix Coyotes’ saga couldn’t get anymore confusing, things took yet another odd turn today.

The Canadian paper “The Globe and Mail”–sounds more like two things you’d find on a desk and than a beacon of journalistic integrity– reported earlier today that Ice Edge Holdings, the group attempting to purchase the Coyotes, won’t even get the funding required to start the buying process.

There is much to admire about the chutzpah of the group of young businessmen who have gathered under the Ice Edge Holdings LLC banner.

Their plan – pipedream, the realists say – to buy the Phoenix Coyotes from the NHL is reminiscent of another audacious play hatched over a few drinks after a beer-league hockey game. Bruce Firestone and his pals did land the Ottawa Senators expansion franchise with no real money, but they crashed and burned.

At this point, it looks as if Anthony LeBlanc, Daryl Jones and the rest of the Ice Edge group will not even get off the runway. Too many problems are coming up, almost all of them because no one in the group appears to have the substantial personal fortune needed to convince a banker or bankers to lend Ice Edge enough money to pull it off. [Globe and Mail]

This doesn’t come as a giant surprise as similar rumors have circulated for months. The difference is the specifics cited in the article and the arguments made (although they seem heavily anti-Arizona and pro “bring the Coyotes to Canada”).

The surprising part is the fact that the same day the piece was published, Ice Edge floated a letter to the fans of Phoenix stating they were as confident as ever about the purchase of the team.

These are exciting times to be fans of the Phoenix Coyotes. Our team sits in the top four of the very competitive western conference, and with less than a month remaining in the regular season, the team is well positioned to bring playoff hockey to the valley for the first time in over half a decade.

We are happy to report that regardless of reports to the contrary, there have been no material changes in the process to date. As we stated from the outset, we fully expected the transaction to take upwards of six months, similar to other recent transactions for other NHL franchises. Ice Edge Holdings continues to work very closely with the City of Glendale and the NHL towards finalizing a lease that will be appropriate for all parties.
The execution of a revised lease is the key outstanding issue, and once completed will allow the transaction to move towards closing. We are neither behind nor ahead of our expected timelines.

Ice Edge Holdings remain committed as ever to the Phoenix Coyotes and to the long term success of the NHL in Arizona. We look forward to joining all of our fellow fans as the Coyotes march towards the playoffs, and participating in white outs when playoff hockey is played for the first time in Glendale.

The fans of the Coyotes have been through more than any sports fan should have to endure. We have said in the past that to be a sports fan is to make a commitment to a team, both emotionally and financially. To do so requires a two way street between the fans and those that own the franchise. Ice Edge Holdings looks forward to showing the great hockey fans of Arizona and the Southwest that commitment for many years to come. We thank you for being the strongest fans in the National Hockey League.

Go ‘Yotes!

Anthony LeBlanc
Chief Executive Officer
Ice Edge Holdings, LLC

[FiveForHowling]

Like the old saying goes, “There are three sides to every story. Theirs, ours and the truth.” I’m betting the same can be said for this situation.

Whether or not Ice Edge has the money will become abundantly clear in the near future. One thing that isn’t? Whether or not their are other buyers interested in the franchise.

It’s hard to believe that with Ice Edge appearing to be the favorite to land the club since the end of the bankruptcy hearings, that a second or third interested party would step up. Honestly, would you really want to get in a bidding war for a franchise with as many financial question marks as the Yotes?

The future looks as confusing as it ever has for hockey fans in Phoenix. Just not necessarily as bleak as those in Canada want to paint it as.