The Phoenix Coyotes yesterday not only played their first playoff game ever, but WON it.

Just let that soak in for a minute.

This is the team that was the punchline for things last season. They were a gimme win for most everyone. They’ve gone through bankruptcy, NHL ownership, fan led revolt to keep them there, fought through a surprisingly winning season to get to the playoffs, and they just beat the Red Wings in Game One.

Not to mention a packed house and an epically successful whiteout.

And because I’m a homer, a quote from Sami Lepisto:

People kept thinking, ‘They can’t go for that long. They’ll go down at some point,’ … And we didn’t. It’s been so fun. The mentality is awesome. There are no superstars, but it’s awesome playing here, everyone has come together. We have fun coming to the rink every day and that reflects in the way we play. The sky is the limit for us.

No matter who wins the big shiny thing at the end of this, y’all are winners, from the players right up through the fans. Make a run of it, guys.

(P.S. I’m going to be working on editing in more of my 400+ images of the Yotes at Kettler/Verizon Center this week, so keep an eye on Flickr.)

(P.P.S. Bears won v. the Tiggers in OT yesterday, after some, um, iffy reffing regarding legality of high sticks and goals and so forth. Holtby may or may not be starting in this next game, after some shaky bits.)