The Arizona Coyotes played their final game in the state after nearly three decades, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 in a fond farewell to their dedicated fans. The team’s owner, Alex Meruelo, had agreed to sell the franchise’s hockey operations to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith in a $1.2 billion deal. The NHL announced the agreement, making Wednesday’s game the Coyotes’ official last in Arizona. Coyotes forward Clayton Keller and coach André Tourigny expressed their emotions about the final game and the adversity the team had faced.
Despite rumors of relocation and a move to a smaller arena in 2022, Arizona may still have a future in hockey. Meruelo has the opportunity to retain the rights to the Coyotes if he can build a new, state-of-the-art facility within the next five years. Meanwhile, Smith will gain an expansion team in Salt Lake City while taking control of the Coyotes’ assets. The future of the team remains uncertain, but the potential for a new facility could keep hockey alive for fans in Arizona.
In the final game of the season, the Coyotes secured a victory with goals from Liam O’Brien, Matias Maccelli, Lawson Crouse, Dylan Guenther, and Sean Durzi. Goaltender Connor Ingram made 25 saves to earn his 23rd win of the season. The team closed out their time in Arizona on a high note, leaving fans with a memorable experience before their potential move to Salt Lake City. The Associated Press contributed to the report, highlighting the significance of the Coyotes’ final game in Arizona.
The future of the Coyotes remains uncertain as the team prepares to potentially move to Salt Lake City under new ownership. Meruelo has the opportunity to secure rights to the franchise by constructing a new facility in Arizona within the next five years. Meanwhile, Smith will take control of the Coyotes’ assets and may establish a new NHL team in Salt Lake City. The transition marks the end of an era for the Coyotes in Arizona, but the possibility of a return in the future offers hope for fans of the franchise.
Fans and players alike shared emotional moments during the Coyotes’ final game in Arizona, showing appreciation for the decades of support and memories created in the state. The team’s victory over the Edmonton Oilers provided a fitting end to their time in Arizona, with goals from several key players and a strong performance by goaltender Connor Ingram. The resilience and dedication of the Coyotes players were evident as they faced adversity throughout the season and came together for one last memorable game in Arizona.
As the Coyotes bid farewell to Arizona and look towards potential relocation to Salt Lake City, the future of hockey in Arizona remains uncertain. The team’s owner, Alex Meruelo, has the opportunity to secure the franchise’s rights by building a new facility in the state within the next five years. In the meantime, Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith will take control of the Coyotes’ assets and may establish a new NHL team in Salt Lake City. The Coyotes’ final game in Arizona was a bittersweet moment for fans and players, marking the end of an era while leaving the door open for a possible return in the future.
