GDT: Game 34: Coyotes @ Maple Leafs | 12-19-13 | 5:00 p.m. MST | FSAZ

[Mosby]

Random personal story. Cause why not?

I became a Leafs fan in 1997. Diehard for 16 years, rarely missed a game on TV. Sundin, the playoff runs at the turn of the millenium, JFJ, Pat Quinn the whole bit up until Carlyle. I became a Coyotes fan in 2011 to go along with the Leafs, and the more I watched the Yotes the more I liked the us against the world mentality. I found myself cheering more for the Yotes as the months went on, and this season I decided to stop cheering for the Leafs completely, and focus 100% on being a Coyotes fan.

In 16 years as a fan I never went to a Leafs game. This will be my first tomorrow night. And I will be proudly wearing my Coyotes jersey.

Funny how things change.

We've followed a similar path.

I grew up as a diehard Leafs fan but that passion faded probably post 2005. The breaking point was Ron Wilson's firing in spring 2012, right around the time Brian Burke described the Leafs' play as "an 18-wheeler going off a cliff." My giving up on the team wasn't necessarily related to those events, but I was just sick of the same old, same old.

At the same time, I had followed the Coyotes' ownership story since Jim Balsillie's initial offer. I was frustrated with the Canadian media and its slant on what was happening in Phoenix. The "us against the world" mentality drew me in as well. The exciting run to the Western Conference Finals pulled me to the Coyotes' side of the fence full time.

I've since dumped all my Leaf paraphernalia and have rebranded as a full-time Yotes fan. Great feeling.

 

[JTPoni23]

We've followed a similar path.

I grew up as a diehard Leafs fan but that passion faded probably post 2005. The breaking point was Ron Wilson's firing in spring 2012, right around the time Brian Burke described the Leafs' play as "an 18-wheeler going off a cliff." My giving up on the team wasn't necessarily related to those events, but I was just sick of the same old, same old.

At the same time, I had followed the Coyotes' ownership story since Jim Balsillie's initial offer. I was frustrated with the Canadian media and its slant on what was happening in Phoenix. The "us against the world" mentality drew me in as well. The exciting run to the Western Conference Finals pulled me to the Coyotes' side of the fence full time.

I've since dumped all my Leaf paraphernalia and have rebranded as a full-time Yotes fan. Great feeling.

Ah yes. The year of the Let's Go Blue Jays chants. Glorious times.

My passion faded when Burke was fired I think, and the breaking point was buying out Grabovski. A Nonis-Carlyle tandem vs a Maloney-Tippett tandem? No contest who I was comfortable with there. I love Yotes management. Can't stand Leafs management to the point where I just couldn't cheer anymore. There was no heart and soul players on the Leafs after Grabo left. I was watching a bunch of robots. It took effort to cheer instead of coming naturally haha. I had so much fun during the Yotes playoff run it just flowed from there.

As for my memorabilia and stuff, kept all the vintage like my Borschevsky and Potvin jerseys, sold all the current stuff.

Nice to hear a similar story.

 

[Grimes]

In 16 years as a fan I never went to a Leafs game. This will be my first tomorrow night. And I will be proudly wearing my Coyotes jersey.

This is awesome. Have fun.

 

[Dirty Old Man]

In 16 years as a fan I never went to a Leafs game. This will be my first tomorrow night. And I will be proudly wearing my Coyotes jersey.

Funny how things change.

I, too, went to a game in Toronto wearing a Coyotes jersey (of course, they were playing the Rangers that night in 2010, but still...). As a neutral, I was treated with equal parts stereotypical Canadian politeness and venom ("hey, this isn't Hamilton"). I suspect since we'll be the opponent you'll get more of the venom. So good luck. And if... I mean *when* we score, try to stand where our TV cameras can find you.

 

[RABBIT]

Your Coyote looks like it's about to sneeze.

Good job Tricia Mcnugget, always entertaining.

EDIT: oof. Mcnugget...that's rough. I mean ****, really? Dammit auto correct.

 

[Muppet]

Your Coyote looks like it's about to sneeze.

Good job Tricia Mcnugget, always entertaining.

EDIT: oof. Mcnugget...that's rough. I mean ****, really? Dammit auto correct.

Haaaaaaaaahahaha McNugget. Sorry Tricia, that one is sticking.

 

[KG]

That handwriting is gorgeous.

 

[MP]

I'm pretty sure all that cursive instigated a nightmare about my seventh-grade English teacher. One day, she'd bring me brownies because she'd heard my grandpa needed cancer surgery. The next day, she'd dump my binder out all over the floor, in front of the whole class, because she was fed up with the way everybody just stuffed their papers in their binders rather than using the rings to keep them neat and organized. I regarded her with a blend of respect and fear, but above all, deep confusion.

And all assignments had to be submitted in cursive. Points would be deducted for bad penmanship. And brother, I have really bad penmanship.

 

[awfulwaffle]

I didn't know people still wrote in cursive. Let's get 2 points tonight. I'm tired of this team being mediocre. Oh yeah, free Greiss.

 

[GiveAFlyingPuck]

According to Rich Nairn on Twitter, Klesla has been recalled.

http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=696717&navid=DL|PHX|home

 

[rt]

I sure hope Morris comes back in the same condition he started the year in (mentally and physically) because he was extremely effective and executing a very effective game.

Same goes for Shane Doan.

We need these guys (and Z) ASAP.

 

[zz]

Cute GDT Tricia McNugget.

Alright, we kinda need a win here.

 

[Mosby]

According to Rich Nairn on Twitter, Klesla has been recalled.

http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=696717&navid=DL|PHX|home

That's a decent fill-in if Z isn't ready to go. Speaking of which, has anyone heard any updates on Michalek? Mo could be returning too.

 

[GiveAFlyingPuck]

Seems like AutoCorrect morphed into Bluto from Animal House:

Tricia McMillan, your Delta Tau Chi name is McNugget.

 

[GiveAFlyingPuck]

That's a decent fill-in if Z isn't ready to go. Speaking of which, has anyone heard any updates on Michalek? Mo could be returning too.

Usually Sarah McLellan will tweet injury updates and what the projected lines will be. Haven't seen anything yet for today.

 

[Howler Scores]

I am walking away from the ledge after reviewing who the next 3 opponents are. Fairly certain 4 points can be obtained before the holidays. Hopefully 2 are tonight.

 

[Summer Rose]

Your Coyote looks like it's about to sneeze.

To be fair, so does the actual logo.

 

[Mosby]

Craig Morgan confirms that Z won't play tonight.

Edit: Michalek out indefinitely with lower body injury.

 

[GiveAFlyingPuck]

Brule in tonight.

 

[Swervin81]

As the GDT maker on the Leafs board, got an update on the lines with who is filling in for Michalek and other changes?

Nice GDT btw, I could barely make out the names with the blur but nice creativity.

 

[Summer Rose]

As the GDT maker on the Leafs board, got an update on the lines with who is filling in for Michalek and other changes?

Nice GDT btw, I could barely make out the names with the blur but nice creativity.

Klesla probably gets in.

OEL-Stone
Yandle-Murphy
Klesla-Schlemko

 

[Swervin81]

Klesla probably gets in.

OEL-Stone
Yandle-Murphy
Klesla-Schlemko

Thanks. Also put in Brule for Bissonnette.

Good luck to you guys tonight, although with how our team is so ****ing bad you shouldn't need any.

 

[GiveAFlyingPuck]

Coyotes twitter feed says Morris ready to play tonight.

 

[Summer Rose]

Coyotes twitter feed says Morris ready to play tonight.

Interesting. Morris pairs with Yandle so that'll boot Murphy down to the third pairing or out of the lineup altogether since Stone plays with OEL with Michalek out.

Will be interested to see what our third pairing is. Murphy-Rundblad anyone? Pipe dream...

 

[SniperHF]

Interesting. Morris pairs with Yandle so that'll boot Murphy down to the third pairing or out of the lineup altogether

Murph may stick, considering last time Morris came back he played with Schlemko. I think tip was trying to spread the talent around all pairs. Plus Morris on the 3rd pair gives all 3 pairs an excellent shot.