295 (Doolan 79, Michael 57) beat South Australia 267 (Cooper 63,

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Coyotes, like every other NHL team, went into the 2015-16 season filled with optimism.Realistically, they -- and nearly everyone else -- knew it would be a rebuilding year, even after the team got off to a fast start.The Coyotes again have that optimistic slant heading into this season. This time, with a core of talented young players and some veteran additions, they expect to live up to it.Just walking in the rink, you feel it, Coyotes goalie Mike Smith said. You feel a different vibe. You feel like this team can do some damage.Arizonas talented core remains intact, headlined by All-Star defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, with forwards Max Domi, Anthony Duclair and Tobias Rieder. Captain Shane Doan returns for his 21st season and goalie Mike Smith is back after being sidelined with an abdominal injury most of last season.The Coyotes also were active during the offseason under first-year general manager John Chayka, adding defensemen Alex Goligoski, Anthony DeAngelo and Luke Schenn, along with forwards Jamie McGinn, Radim Vrbata and Ryan White.Whether the group can end a four-year playoff-less run remains to be seen, but theres no reason to think the Coyotes wont improve upon their 35-win 2015-16 season.Youve got to be careful with optimism because theres 29 other teams that have a lot of optimism, too, but I think ours is genuine, Chayka said. I told the guys the other day were not looking to be a mediocre team. Were trying to be the best and we certainly feel we have the skilled players to get there, but its going to take some time to get there.A few more things to look for from the Arizona Coyotes in the 2016-17 season:DOMI AND DUCLAIR: Arizonas two young forwards burst upon the scene last season, giving the franchise the jolt of youth and speed it had been missing. Domi, son of former NHL tough guy Tie, was second on the Coyotes with 52 points and had 18 goals. Duclair, who arrived in a trade with the New York Rangers prior to last season, added 20 goals and 24 assists. Both players are 21 and work well together, so theres no reason to think they wont get better after that dynamic first season together.DOANER RETURNS: Doan took part of the summer to decide whether to return for another season in the desert. It didnt seem like much of a decision after the season he had in 2015-16. Coming off a couple of disappointing, injury-plagued seasons, Arizonas captain was at the top of his game a year ago. Doan seemed to be rejuvenated by the influx of young players on Arizonas roster, leading the Coyotes with 28 goals while chipping in 19 assists. Doan turns 40 next week, but he still has game and is one of top captains in the NHL.SMITHS RETURN: Smith was the key to Arizonas run to the 2012 Western Conference finals, often stealing games for the Coyotes with his stellar play. The past few seasons have been filled with injuries and inconsistency. Smith was limited to 34 games in 2012-13 due to injury and played 32 last season due to abdominal surgery. If he can stay healthy and play well, the Coyotes could make a strong playoff push.OEL RISES: Ekman-Larsson was considered one of the NHLs top up-and-coming defensemen his first few years in the league and has lived up to that hype the past few. The 25-year-old from Sweden has been an All-Star each of the past four seasons and last year led the Coyotes with 55 points, including 21 goals. If the Coyotes make the playoffs, expect him to be a strong contender for the Norris Trophy.IN THE SYSTEM: Chayka, who took over after Don Maloney was fired after last season, has been praised for building up Arizonas minor league system, turning it into one of the best in the NHL. The Coyotes are loaded with top prospects, including centers Dylan Strome, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft, and Christian Dvorak, who had 121 points for London of the OHL last season. The talent pool is deep in Arizona, setting up the Coyotes to be good for a while once they turn the corner. Swell Black Friday . Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals. Swell Black Friday Sale . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. http://www.waterbottleblackfriday.com/ . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. Swell Cyber Monday . Anthony Davis had 31 points and 17 rebounds in his seventh straight game with more than 20 points, but that was only enough to keep the Pelicans competitive into the final minutes. Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Golden State, which rebounded from a loss a night earlier in Oklahoma City and snapped a two-game skid. Hydro Flask Cyber Monday . - Goaltender Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceanic has broken a shutout record that was only three months old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Tasmania 7 for 295 (Doolan 79, Michael 57) beat South Australia 267 (Cooper 63, Stevenson 5-32) by 28 runsScorecard Tasmania fast bowler Cameron Stevenson picked up five wickets on debut at Hurstville Oval to prevent South Australia from reaching the Matador Cup finals. Needing to win with a bonus point in order to reach the elimination final, the Redbacks were set a tall order with a target of 296 that would need to be reached inside 40 overs.South Australia did their best to ensure their tempo was up to standard, opener and captain Travis Head racing to 35 from 18 balls and Tom Cooper making 63 off 65, and gave themselves a chance if they could keep enough wicckets in hand.ddddddddddddBut Stevenson claimed the wickets of Jake Weatherald and Jake Lehmann and then ran through the tail as the Redbacks were bowled out for 267 in the 39th over.Earlier, contributions from Alex Doolan (79), Dom Michael (57), Tim Paine (44) and Ben McDermott (44) pushed the Tigers to 7 for 295 from their 50 overs.Tasmania finished fifth on the tournament table and South Australia sixth, and the elimination final will now be played between New South Wales and Victoria for a place in the decider against Queensland. ' ' '