PHOENIX -- All that was missing was the howl.
The Diamondbacks staged their own "WhiteOut" in support of the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday, wearing white t-shirts with the open-jawed Coyotes logo on the front during batting practice and pregame work.
D-backs manager Kirk Gibson, also a hockey guy, wore the t-shirt to his pregame media briefing.
The two teams seem to have formed a mutual admiration -- captain Shane Doan and two other Coyotes mingled with the team on the field early Wednesday, and most of the team's players attended the game that night and were given an ovation from the fans when they left.
Gibson has an affinity for the sport. He helped coach his sons' youth teams in the Detroit area and has formed a bond with the Coyotes, who let Gibson kids Kevin and Cam skate with them in previous summers. Kevin is now playing college hockey at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, while Cam has turned to baseball and is attending his father’s alma mater, Michigan State.
"'Doaner' has been outstanding to them. Been a great role model,” Gibson said of Doan's influence on his boys.
The Coyotes open the Western Conference finals against the Kings on Sunday.
"It's a good game. Great competition," Gibson said. "Those guys are great, they work hard. It’s certainly a test of wills. This will be an interesting series."
