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They have flirted with financial troubles and been rumored to be headed for relocation. They have relied on a strong work ethic, a shrewd front office, smart coaching and tremendous goaltending to fight and succeed against established organizations with high-priced skilled players.
They have tried to make their sport work in areas where frozen ponds only exist indoors and hockey talk often is a foreign language.
The Phoenix Coyotes? The Nashville Predators? Try both.
Pekka Rinne and Mike Smith, Dave Tippett and Barry Trotz, the Grand Ole Opry and the Grand Canyon. Even the team logos are similar -- both feature a fierce and hungry mammal. And now two teams with so much in common can add Western Conference semifinalists to the list.