Coyotes bring division title to the desert

By John Marshall

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, April 8 2012 12:21 p.m. MDT

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Phoenix Coyotes' Antoine Vermette, left, celebrates a goal by Mikkel Boedker off Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom (32), of Finland, in the first period of an NHL hockey game on Saturday, April 7, 2012, in St. Paul, Minn.

Jim Mone, Associated Press

Summary

The Phoenix Coyotes have been to the playoffs plenty of times, even without an owner the past two years.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Phoenix Coyotes have been to the playoffs plenty of times, even without an owner the past two years.

Now, they finally have the one thing that had been missing: A division title.

With a 4-1 win over Minnesota Saturday night, Phoenix wrapped up the Pacific Division, its first division crown in 33 years as a franchise.

After everything the team went through, this may be the most impressive season for a franchise that started in Winnipeg and moved to the desert in 1996.

The Coyotes finished with 97 points, one ahead of San Jose. They open the playoffs at home Thursday night against the Chicago Blackhawks.

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