Two third period goals lift Coyotes to victory

The Coyotes returned to the basics in their 4-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.  They got great goaltending out of Ilya Bryzgalov, solid defense throughout the 60 minutes and timely goal scoring during the third period.

After goals from Scottie Upshall and Sami Lepisto during the middle part of the second period gave the Coyotes a two-goal advantage, R.J. Umberger scored his 14th goal a few minutes later to bring the Jackets within a goal.  Eight minutes into the third period, Columbus would tie it up behind a goal from Jakub Voracek for his eighth of the year.  After that, it was all Phoenix.

A little more than three minutes after Voracek tied it up, Shane Doan got his 10th goal of the season.  The goal was reviewed to see if Doan’s stick was above the goal post, but it was ruled a good goal.  The Captain’s point streak was extended earlier in the game on Upshall’s goal.  Vernon Fiddler scored past Mathieu Garon 52 seconds later to put the game away for good.  The goal for Fiddler was his first goal since his hat trick on Nov. 12.

This game was similar to a lot of the games that the Coyotes played last season.  It wasn’t real pretty at times, but the Coyotes hard work for the entire 60 minutes on both sides of the ice gave them this victory.  At this point, you will take two points any way you can get them.  If they can have Bryzgalov played the way he did last night for the rest of the season, Phoenix will be racking up a lot of points the rest of the season.

The biggest issues for the Coyotes the past couple of weeks has been consistency and the lack of getting a win streak going.  They will try to do that tomorrow in Colorado against a very tough Avalanche team.