When the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes is all said and done, and all the papers are signed, sealed, and delivered all the fans will stand and applaud.
I hope every single hockey fan and person clapping realize who they SHOULD be clapping for.
Applaud the person standing next to you who went went through the same heart-wrenching ups and downs as you did. Applaud for the fan who sits next to you that also spent $5000 on season tickets over the past few years and has invested more time into their team than some parents invest into their children's education. Applaud to the couple who decided to come to their first hockey game because they were at Westgate and found they could get a couple of tickets for under $40. Applaud for the people who have had season tickets since 1996, stuck with the team through everything.
Applaud for the person whose first game was seeing Shane Doan get 2 goals in a game and then hit the goal post TWICE to be denied his first hat trick.
Applaud for the fan whose favorite Coyote moment was seeing Krys Kolanos dismantle a HOF goalie on a penalty shot.
Whoever you clap for, make DAMN sure you know that every fan, went through the exact same thing as you with the ownership saga. They ALSO spent their hard earned money on tickets, survived the Gretzky era, and stuck with the team.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Odds to win it all
According to the sports betting website bodog.com, here are some odds of the teams that are higher than the Phoenix Coyotes 28/1 to win the Stanley Cup. While certainly on paper the Flyers DO have better odds to win it all, I have to seriously disagree with the Kings having better odds to win it all.
Boston Bruins 10/1
Chicago Blackhawks 16/1
Detroit Red Wings 8/1
Los Angeles Kings 20/1
Montreal Canadiens 25/1
Philadelphia Flyers 6/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 11/1
San Jose Sharks 12/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 16/1
Vancouver Canucks 4/1
Washington Capitals 7/1
Boston Bruins 10/1
Chicago Blackhawks 16/1
Detroit Red Wings 8/1
Los Angeles Kings 20/1
Montreal Canadiens 25/1
Philadelphia Flyers 6/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 11/1
San Jose Sharks 12/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 16/1
Vancouver Canucks 4/1
Washington Capitals 7/1
Friday, March 18, 2011
LaBarbara in Vancouver
We all know LaBarbara can play well most of the time on the road and we know he plays well against the Canucks, but his performance tonight was stellar. There were some AMAZING saves and the 5-3 against the best PP in the league was amazing.
So here is my thought. I know it is his job to win and I know he already makes a lot of money, but if we end up winning the Pacific by 1 or 2 points, they boys need to all chip in and buy him an awesome gift for the game he had tonight.
$2000 a person is not too much money for NHL'ers and that would come out to about 42,000 total. That would be some awesome gift.
Just my 2 cents.
So here is my thought. I know it is his job to win and I know he already makes a lot of money, but if we end up winning the Pacific by 1 or 2 points, they boys need to all chip in and buy him an awesome gift for the game he had tonight.
$2000 a person is not too much money for NHL'ers and that would come out to about 42,000 total. That would be some awesome gift.
Just my 2 cents.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Goldwater Telephone Town Hall
I am a Glendale resident and the phone rang tonight with a Washington DC area code. I picked up because for some reason I hoped it was Barack Obama offering me a job.
A recording of Darci Olsen from the Goldwater Institute telling me that there was a telephone town hall going on where they were taking callers so they can ask questions about the deal between the City of Glendale and Matthew Hulsizer.
The entire program sounded like a set up and both Darci and Clint were reading from a script. There were 7-8 callers with only 2 of them from Glendale. The others were from Kingman, Oro Valley (2), Scottsdale, and Phoenix. The seemed to know exactly what the caller was going to ask or say before the call came on "live" because their responses were quick and to the point.
When the callers said what could they do about this travesty, Darci gave out the phone number for the Glendale City Counsel at least 7 times. Telling everyone to call them and say NO.
They used the language of we THINK it might be illegal and it APPEARS the Glendale already owns SOME of the parking rights. They continued to call Matt Hulsizer a very wealthy businessman from Chicago.
When the tea partier called, everything she said was being read from a script and Darci slammed Glendale for only allowing 50 people in a meeting they are having tomorrow and GWI should be praised for letting everyone be heard on their "live" town tonight.
The last caller was from Oro Valley and all she said was what can I do about this horrible injustice going on? Darci said call the CoG and voice your concern.
After the call I was transferred to a voicemail where I could leave a message and GWI WOULD call me back within 48 hours and answer my questions.
A recording of Darci Olsen from the Goldwater Institute telling me that there was a telephone town hall going on where they were taking callers so they can ask questions about the deal between the City of Glendale and Matthew Hulsizer.
The entire program sounded like a set up and both Darci and Clint were reading from a script. There were 7-8 callers with only 2 of them from Glendale. The others were from Kingman, Oro Valley (2), Scottsdale, and Phoenix. The seemed to know exactly what the caller was going to ask or say before the call came on "live" because their responses were quick and to the point.
When the callers said what could they do about this travesty, Darci gave out the phone number for the Glendale City Counsel at least 7 times. Telling everyone to call them and say NO.
They used the language of we THINK it might be illegal and it APPEARS the Glendale already owns SOME of the parking rights. They continued to call Matt Hulsizer a very wealthy businessman from Chicago.
When the tea partier called, everything she said was being read from a script and Darci slammed Glendale for only allowing 50 people in a meeting they are having tomorrow and GWI should be praised for letting everyone be heard on their "live" town tonight.
The last caller was from Oro Valley and all she said was what can I do about this horrible injustice going on? Darci said call the CoG and voice your concern.
After the call I was transferred to a voicemail where I could leave a message and GWI WOULD call me back within 48 hours and answer my questions.
My thoughts on the Ducks and Honda Center
So I had the wonderful and amazing opportunity to attend the Phoenix Coyotes away game in Anaheim on March 13th. Myself and 2 friends, Jeff and Dave hopped into my truck and set out for LaLa land at 9am.
After a couple of quick stops including wrapping my lips around a straw to experience the pure bliss of my first date shake at Hadley's, we made it to the Honda Center. Pretty easy to get to right off the freeway and getting into the parking lot was easy.
We went into the arena and the first think that was noticed was how different it is from the Job. The lower level is very small, I would say only 18 rows or so and the upper level is huge. Speaking of huge, my ass falls under that category because the seats are a bit small. I then remembered we are in Los Angeles, home of the small asses.
Anyway, great game and 99% of the Duck fans were great. We had great people sitting right by us that were really nice and joked around with us. When Fiddler got hurt some ass behind us yelled something along the lines of HAHA, you deserve it. Save by another duck fan near us that said, don't worry, that guy is always a dick. Must have been the same fan who said "Doan is a dick" at the end when he hit the empty netter.
So in terms of fans being nice to us, it had to be the top out of all the places I have been. This is probably due to me being very few places and those places were really crappy to opposing fans.
Traffic getting out of there was HORRIBLE and we are spoiled with our awesome arena. Drive home was super fun, but that is an entirely different post.
After a couple of quick stops including wrapping my lips around a straw to experience the pure bliss of my first date shake at Hadley's, we made it to the Honda Center. Pretty easy to get to right off the freeway and getting into the parking lot was easy.
We went into the arena and the first think that was noticed was how different it is from the Job. The lower level is very small, I would say only 18 rows or so and the upper level is huge. Speaking of huge, my ass falls under that category because the seats are a bit small. I then remembered we are in Los Angeles, home of the small asses.
Anyway, great game and 99% of the Duck fans were great. We had great people sitting right by us that were really nice and joked around with us. When Fiddler got hurt some ass behind us yelled something along the lines of HAHA, you deserve it. Save by another duck fan near us that said, don't worry, that guy is always a dick. Must have been the same fan who said "Doan is a dick" at the end when he hit the empty netter.
So in terms of fans being nice to us, it had to be the top out of all the places I have been. This is probably due to me being very few places and those places were really crappy to opposing fans.
Traffic getting out of there was HORRIBLE and we are spoiled with our awesome arena. Drive home was super fun, but that is an entirely different post.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
List of Wesgate Businesses
Here is a listing of the businesses at Westgate. Call, Write, Visit these people so they get involved in the fight against Goldwater Institute.
AMC WESTGATE 20
9400 West Hanna DriveGlendale, Arizona 85305
(623) 772-1371
www.amctheatres.com
APRICOT LANE
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The lies about losing money
In response to Darcy Olsen saying that the Phoenix Coyotes have lost money ever since they have been here is a little deceiving.
When the Coyotes arrived they were playing at Us Airways Arena. This arena was not built for hockey and it had 4000 obstructed view seats where you could not see one of the goals. As far as I can remember, those tickets were $5. The team could not sell luxury suites and did not get a cut from the food and drink. Of course any team would lose money in that situation.
When the team moved to Glendale and was owned by Jerry Moyes the product on the ice was not great and here are the other things that contributed:
1. Jerry Moyes required the team to use swift transportation for travel, a company that he owns. He was able to charge MUCH more than it would usually cost for these services. He also supposedly owned the building where the offices were located and he was charging high rent for the offices there. That means he was charging one of this companies(Coyotes) and putting that money right back into another one of his companies(Swift).
While I agree that the Coyotes have probably lost some money, I do not agree that it is the tens of millions each year that they say it is.
When the Coyotes arrived they were playing at Us Airways Arena. This arena was not built for hockey and it had 4000 obstructed view seats where you could not see one of the goals. As far as I can remember, those tickets were $5. The team could not sell luxury suites and did not get a cut from the food and drink. Of course any team would lose money in that situation.
When the team moved to Glendale and was owned by Jerry Moyes the product on the ice was not great and here are the other things that contributed:
1. Jerry Moyes required the team to use swift transportation for travel, a company that he owns. He was able to charge MUCH more than it would usually cost for these services. He also supposedly owned the building where the offices were located and he was charging high rent for the offices there. That means he was charging one of this companies(Coyotes) and putting that money right back into another one of his companies(Swift).
While I agree that the Coyotes have probably lost some money, I do not agree that it is the tens of millions each year that they say it is.
Who is affected if the Coyotes leave Phoenix
Here is a list I made of the people and companies that will be affected if the Phoenix Coyotes leave.
The Players - Players who have homes here and spend their millions here will no longer live here and spend money here.
The Fans
The people who clean the arena after the games
the people who work at the ticket window
the security that works the games
the ushers that work at the games
the company that does the food service
the company the provides all the food service items sold at the game
the beer distributor who supplies the beer
the brewers who brew said beer
The companies and people who own all the businesses at Westgate.
The supplies who supply goods to all the businesses at Westgate
The taxi drivers who take people home after spending money on alcohol at Westgate
The people who own property at Westgate
The local ice rinks that depend on hockey interest
The utility companies who provide power to the arena and surrounding area
the people who work for all these companies
The gas stations who get customers when people drive to the games
The residents of Glendale who will have MANY services cut because Glendale will still have to pay off the arena even if there is no tenants.
The hotels that provide beds for some teams and tons of visiting fans.
ALL the services related to the hotels including food, drink, linen service, cleaning supplies, and utilities.
ALL THE EMPLOYEES that work for all these businesses.
The Players - Players who have homes here and spend their millions here will no longer live here and spend money here.
The Fans
The people who clean the arena after the games
the people who work at the ticket window
the security that works the games
the ushers that work at the games
the company that does the food service
the company the provides all the food service items sold at the game
the beer distributor who supplies the beer
the brewers who brew said beer
The companies and people who own all the businesses at Westgate.
The supplies who supply goods to all the businesses at Westgate
The taxi drivers who take people home after spending money on alcohol at Westgate
The people who own property at Westgate
The local ice rinks that depend on hockey interest
The utility companies who provide power to the arena and surrounding area
the people who work for all these companies
The gas stations who get customers when people drive to the games
The residents of Glendale who will have MANY services cut because Glendale will still have to pay off the arena even if there is no tenants.
The hotels that provide beds for some teams and tons of visiting fans.
ALL the services related to the hotels including food, drink, linen service, cleaning supplies, and utilities.
ALL THE EMPLOYEES that work for all these businesses.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Hey you with the Flag, yea you asshole
As the Coyotes were honoring a war hero at the game tonight, a fan of the opposing team went behind the honoree with a flag of the opposing team and started waving it around to be on the camera.
This might be one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen at a game. The man who was being honored is in the military, he has put HIS life on the line to protect yours. He is willing to take a bullet and DIE to be sure that you can go to a hockey game. I certainly can't think of anything more selfless than joining the military and fighting for people you have never even met.
You should have been kicked out of the game and if I was sitting near you, I would have gladly been kicked out of the game to punch you in the fucking face. You are a disgrace to humankind and karma is a bitch so I am pretty sure you are going to die a slow and painful death. When a vet is being honored, you better shut the fuck up and pay your respects.
This might be one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen at a game. The man who was being honored is in the military, he has put HIS life on the line to protect yours. He is willing to take a bullet and DIE to be sure that you can go to a hockey game. I certainly can't think of anything more selfless than joining the military and fighting for people you have never even met.
You should have been kicked out of the game and if I was sitting near you, I would have gladly been kicked out of the game to punch you in the fucking face. You are a disgrace to humankind and karma is a bitch so I am pretty sure you are going to die a slow and painful death. When a vet is being honored, you better shut the fuck up and pay your respects.
Hockey Bets
I am no expert in betting on hockey games AT ALL, but sometimes it is fun to put down a few,(and I really mean a few) dollars on some ridiculous bet that may or may not hit. Something like a 6 team parlay with the over/under attached. Putting 3-4 bucks on something like that would pay back $3000-$5000 dollars.
Of course everything has to go exactly to plan. So here are my picks for tonight.
Flyers win by 2
Devils win by 2
Blackhawks win by 2
Sabers win
Sharks win with more than 5 goals in the game
Wild Win
Islanders Win
Over 5 goals in the MTL/BOS game
So yea, that is pretty crazy for all that to go right, but for 3 bucks, it is worth it and I have hit a $3 bet like that before so I am still WAY ahead.
Of course everything has to go exactly to plan. So here are my picks for tonight.
Flyers win by 2
Devils win by 2
Blackhawks win by 2
Sabers win
Sharks win with more than 5 goals in the game
Wild Win
Islanders Win
Over 5 goals in the MTL/BOS game
So yea, that is pretty crazy for all that to go right, but for 3 bucks, it is worth it and I have hit a $3 bet like that before so I am still WAY ahead.
My Phone Call from Ken Kendrick
Well I called Ken Kendrick in response to our emails traded yesterday and he called me back quite quickly.
I am not going to go into many of the details of what we talked about but I will say that I much more shifted on the side of there being no connection between the GWI lawsuit and the Diamondbacks other than his wife being on the GWI board.
He presented very good points about the legality of the Coyotes deal and who really owns the parking rights already. I remember from a long time ago reading that the city got a few dollars from each ticket for parking and that was one reason the Coyotes were not profitable.
He also asked me to be a guest of the Diamondback for an upcoming game.
I am not going to go into many of the details of what we talked about but I will say that I much more shifted on the side of there being no connection between the GWI lawsuit and the Diamondbacks other than his wife being on the GWI board.
He presented very good points about the legality of the Coyotes deal and who really owns the parking rights already. I remember from a long time ago reading that the city got a few dollars from each ticket for parking and that was one reason the Coyotes were not profitable.
He also asked me to be a guest of the Diamondback for an upcoming game.
My Email to Mayor Scruggs
Mayor Scruggs,
I have been a resident of Glendale for upwards of 3 decades. I attended Horizon, Landmark, Apollo, and GCC. I love Glendale very much and it has always been a part of my life. I have also been a season ticket holder since the team moved over to Glendale. It seems like there is so many threats and fighting over keeping the Coyotes here in Glendale and I have outlined some ideas to keep them here.
I know you are opposed to the Casino being built near Westgate, but I think you and the city needs to change your mind about the casino. There are 2 casinos just off the 101 on the east valley and they are beautiful buildings that add to the city. Residents are going to gamble no matter what anyone says, so it would be nice if we could keep those people over on the west side. I am pretty sure many of the retired folks living on the west side would welcome not having to drive across town for entertainment.
How about the tribe and the Coyotes come to an agreement where the city gives the casino its blessing only if the casino puts in the 100 million dollars and partners up with Matt Hulsizer?
This proposed casino will add 6000 construction jobs and 3000 full time jobs to the west valley and I am stunned that you are against jobs and progress. What if you strike a deal with the tribe to get a percentage of profits from the casino?
The Coyotes and the casino should be matched together with a partnership to have both here. They both can thrive at Westgate and Glendale can reap the benefits.
Please consider my thoughts as it would be devastating for the Coyotes to no longer be in Glendale.
Thanks,
Geoff
I have been a resident of Glendale for upwards of 3 decades. I attended Horizon, Landmark, Apollo, and GCC. I love Glendale very much and it has always been a part of my life. I have also been a season ticket holder since the team moved over to Glendale. It seems like there is so many threats and fighting over keeping the Coyotes here in Glendale and I have outlined some ideas to keep them here.
I know you are opposed to the Casino being built near Westgate, but I think you and the city needs to change your mind about the casino. There are 2 casinos just off the 101 on the east valley and they are beautiful buildings that add to the city. Residents are going to gamble no matter what anyone says, so it would be nice if we could keep those people over on the west side. I am pretty sure many of the retired folks living on the west side would welcome not having to drive across town for entertainment.
How about the tribe and the Coyotes come to an agreement where the city gives the casino its blessing only if the casino puts in the 100 million dollars and partners up with Matt Hulsizer?
This proposed casino will add 6000 construction jobs and 3000 full time jobs to the west valley and I am stunned that you are against jobs and progress. What if you strike a deal with the tribe to get a percentage of profits from the casino?
The Coyotes and the casino should be matched together with a partnership to have both here. They both can thrive at Westgate and Glendale can reap the benefits.
Please consider my thoughts as it would be devastating for the Coyotes to no longer be in Glendale.
Thanks,
Geoff
Monday, March 7, 2011
I emailed Ken Kendrick
I sent the owner of the Diamondbacks Ken Kendrick about the Coyotes situation and his wife being on the GWI board. I just took a stab at his email address as it seemed the email addresses were first initial and last name.
I received a response this morning and here it is. I do plan on calling him.
"I have always been and am still a big supporter of hockey in Arizona. Just ask the former owners of the Coyotes, Richard Burke and Jerry Moyes. While you are entitled to spend your money any way you wish, I find it sad that you believe a totally false rumor about my wife and her supposed opposition to the proposed deal in Glendale. Goldwater will make their decision to oppose or not based on the facts and she will not influence them, period. If she is included in a lawsuit, she will counter sue for false accusation and defamation of character. In case you have in any interest in the facts of this situation, feel free to call me at 602-462-6300. Ken Kendrick"
I received a response this morning and here it is. I do plan on calling him.
"I have always been and am still a big supporter of hockey in Arizona. Just ask the former owners of the Coyotes, Richard Burke and Jerry Moyes. While you are entitled to spend your money any way you wish, I find it sad that you believe a totally false rumor about my wife and her supposed opposition to the proposed deal in Glendale. Goldwater will make their decision to oppose or not based on the facts and she will not influence them, period. If she is included in a lawsuit, she will counter sue for false accusation and defamation of character. In case you have in any interest in the facts of this situation, feel free to call me at 602-462-6300. Ken Kendrick"
Sunday, March 6, 2011
My solution to Goldwater Institute
So it broke last night just a few minutes before the game that the city of Glendale was going to file a suit against the Goldwater Institute.
My quick solution would be for GWI to issue a public apology, send letters to investors stating they were wrong and this is a solid deal, and take out a full ad in the paper saying they were wrong. This should make the interest rates for the bonds drop and everyone would be happy.
Otherwise, I think the suit is solid and GWI will be in some deep trouble if they stick to their guns.
My quick solution would be for GWI to issue a public apology, send letters to investors stating they were wrong and this is a solid deal, and take out a full ad in the paper saying they were wrong. This should make the interest rates for the bonds drop and everyone would be happy.
Otherwise, I think the suit is solid and GWI will be in some deep trouble if they stick to their guns.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
The 3rd draft picks
So watching Kyle Turris play for the Phoenix Coyotes I was thinking I would see who else was chosen as the third pick in the draft over the last 20 years. There are some players on this list that have become amazing hockey players and with any prospect, there are players who never did shit in the NHL. I feel bad for Kyle because I think Gretzky rushed him to the NHL and did not allow for development. I really do hope he resigns with the yotes and comes back next year to score 35 goals.
Keith Primeau - 1990
Scott Niedermayer - 1991
Mike Rathje - 1992
Chris Gratton - 1993
Radek Bonk - 1994
Aki-Petteri Berg - 1995
J.P. Dumont - 1996
Olli Jokinen - 1997
Brad Stuart - 1998
Henrik Sedin - 1999
Marian Gaborik - 2000
Alexandr Svitov - 2001
Jay Bouwmeester - 2002
Nathan Horton - 2003
Cam Barker - 2004
Jack Johnson - 2005
Jonathan Toews - 2006
Kyle Turris - 2007
Zach Bogosian - 2008
Matt Duchene - 2009
Erik Gudbranson - 2010
Keith Primeau - 1990
Scott Niedermayer - 1991
Mike Rathje - 1992
Chris Gratton - 1993
Radek Bonk - 1994
Aki-Petteri Berg - 1995
J.P. Dumont - 1996
Olli Jokinen - 1997
Brad Stuart - 1998
Henrik Sedin - 1999
Marian Gaborik - 2000
Alexandr Svitov - 2001
Jay Bouwmeester - 2002
Nathan Horton - 2003
Cam Barker - 2004
Jack Johnson - 2005
Jonathan Toews - 2006
Kyle Turris - 2007
Zach Bogosian - 2008
Matt Duchene - 2009
Erik Gudbranson - 2010
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