Apr. 3, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes fans hold signs during the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Jobing.com Arena. The Coyotes beat the Blue Jackets 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE
First Springfield won Fri nite 4-2 Goals: JAM, J Moore, C Atkinson, R Johansen
We’re interviewing Jack Briggs, Fanside editor of Howling Hockey. I you missed part 1, go back and read it, I’m finding that just like in Columbus, there’s a lot of information on the blogs that never makes the general news.
"Q- Why to you think the Blue Jackets are always giving up better players then they are getting?"
Jack- It seems like the last few years, with Columbus out of the playoff hunt, it made sense for them to trade and sell off their expensive assets and start the build for the future. Knowing Columbus is a seller at the trade deadline means teams can make offers to take on expensive contracts and offer up very little. Scott Howson was not good and knowing he had the leverage at this point of the negotiations.
"Q- Most of the summer was spent trying to figgure out where Shane Doan, would end up. Is he really that important to the Coyotes? [1] as a player on the ice [2] as a leader on the team and in the room and [3] as a fan icon and favorite."
Jack-Shane is the heart and soul of the Coyotes. On and off the ice. When he won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy at the end of the 2012 season, he used the time to talk about what a great place Phoenix is to come and play hockey. Not to build himself up, but to lift his team. (1) On the ice, he can be looked at to deliver the big hit and change the momentum of the game. His passion is legendary as it has caused a suspension or two. He led the team in scoring last season and was second this year to Ray Whitney. (2) As leader of the team, he has been the glue that has kept them together the last three years while the team has been searching for an owner. He is the first one on the ice at practice and last one to leave, usually coming back on the ice to work on one-timers or the power play knee-drop snipe from the left hash mark. Shane does the heavy lifting in keeping the team together. (3) When the team won the Pacific Division for the first time in their history, several hundred of us went to the airport to welcome the team back. Shane came up to the fence that separates us fans from the tarmac. He shook everyone’s hand at the chain link fence and thanked us for coming. His jersey is the highest seller, and he never says no to a charity or appearance. We see him at the practice facility as he is dropping off his kids for hockey, and he is just another hockey dad as he mixes with the parents. Very approachable and humble.
We nickname him Jesus.
"Q- I find the Coyote Howl after a goal irritating, but In many ways it’s neat, and it is iconic for the Coyotes. So I’m thinking the irritation is just because the opposing team [Coyotes] scored a goal."
Jack-The Coyotes are a pretty low scoring team. You don’t hear the howl that often. But we like it as it is the identity of the team. Chicago has the applauding during the national anthem. Rangers fans chant and sing throughout the game. LA Kings fans show up late and leave early. Toronto fans show up to be constantly disappointed. We have the howl.
"Q- How do your fans feel about the HOWL?"
Jack-The fans like the howl. What was different was the goal song used to be the Joe Satriani Crowd Chant. A few other teams use the same song. So when The Black Keys came out with a song Howling For You and it has a singable/chantable chorus and strategic clapping, the management made the switch. At first I didn’t like it because it was different. Now it is embraced because it is ours. Unique.
"Q- Is their an after goal celebration for any other team that you and your fans don’t like?"
Jack-Anything Detroit does is hateable. Like breathing. Their fanbase is probably the rudest and most obnixious. They take that as a compliment.
The thing about being in a vacation area is that you get alot of opposing fans coming here to see their team. Especially Canadian fans. An Edmonton or Vancouver fan can fly here, stay at a hotel right next to the arena, get lower bowl seats behind the team bench for a family of four for equivalent to what they pay back home.
And since so many retirees from the Midwest are here, Chicago and Detroit almost have a home ice advantage.