Sun 9/18/11 12:49 PM

Jason LaBarbera expects a spirited battle with Mike Smith throughout training camp for the number one gig in Phoenix. The goaltending situation for 2011-12 in the desert is still unclear as the team basically has two second string caliber netminders battling for the starters job. LaBarbera inked a two-year contract extension with the Coyotes this summer and will battle newly acquired Mike Smith for the starting job in Phoenix. Barbs will get his starts this season, but unless he does something special in those games, he'll be riding the bench in what will surely be a very long season in Glendale.