Last night, I went to the Tank expecting the Phoenix Coyotes to fight for their lives. If they lose, they are eliminated from Stanley Cup playoff contention. Instead, the Coyotes had little bite and could have been renamed “The Dead Cockroaches” for the way they rolled over and played dead last night. No hard hits. No fights. No chance. For a team that has scrapped all season and survived on a mantra of hard work and overachievement, Phoenix quit last night on the Great One. I’m always stoked about a Sharks win, but I was disappointed that Phoenix didn’t give our Big Boys more of a run for their money last night. Wayne must have been thinking about his next baseball parlay….oops, sorry I mean his wife Janet, the Great One doesn’t bet, right? A lousy way for Phoenix to end what really was a season where they played above expectations, especially mine. Scoring Breezy for nothing from the Ducks was a major addition, and I do believe that if they are able to add one or two experienced forwards to put the puck in the net on a regular basis, this is a playoff team next year. They will have some major league cash to throw at players like Marian Hossa or to make a trade for a high priced and expensive forward, like Martin Havlat.

I admit I was wrong about Clowe – he looked good last night but I would slide him up to the 2nd line with Marleau and Pavs and see how that goes when Grier comes back. Who is the odd man out if Clowe reclaims a spot in the line up? Looks like Goc and The Gooch will be watching the playoffs from the pressbox, not bad to have those guys in reserve in case someone gets hurt. The only wildcard is will RW shelve Shelley like he used to with Scott Parker come playoff time? My gut says no, because Shelley is a better player than Parker is, as RW has admitted himself. His is able to contribute so much more than just fights, and his punishing hits will keep the game honest against a team like Calgary or Colorado, and it looks like one of those two will be our first round opponent….Shades of playoffs past….