Gone in 90 seconds not an Oscar winner for the Coyotes in Calgary as they lose 5-4
By Troy Baker
Not exactly the Hollywood ending Sunday night in Canada.
Just when all the hard work and effort appeared to be point worthy it was all gone in the final 90 seconds of regulation as the Coyotes and Mike Smith will leave Calgary with some questions to be answered. With such a great record when leading heading into the 3rd period how exactly does this happen? It brings to mind the Sharks debacle where they gave up 4 goals in 11 mins.
When you lead with just over a minute to go in Dave Tippett’s system, you can NOT leave pointless in the province. Mike Smith did not have a good game as he did the day before. Maybe Barbs or Chad Johnson should of gotten the start in this back to back. I don’t question the Coyotes coaching staff much but in fairness I have to wonder if it was the best going forward.
Definitely an opportunity lost with the 5th seed in sight. Instead they flirt with the 8th or 9th seed. Of course a win in Vancouver could prove amnesia for the road warriors.
Michael Stone had a crazy unassisted goal after his face off slap shot was blocked then put into it’s own net by Calgary. Late 2nd the Yotes took the lead with a gorgeous set up from Matt Lombardi and an equally pretty deek and backhand by Raffi Torres. Jarome Iginla jammed a puck through Smitty who appeared to have stopped it even later in the 2nd period. Still even later Calgary showed pressure and a wrister in traffic found it’s way. Heading to the 3rd the score was 3 – 2.
Raffi Torres had a play and a 2nd goal on the day. A behind the back pass in the zone which was returned by big Z for the easy give and go goal. Torres to Michalek and back to Torres was the goal of the game. Mid 3rd Nick Johnson scraped away for a goal to give the Desert Dawgs a 4 – 3 lead that usually is good enough for points. On the road 1 point is good, 2 points is great, but zero points when leading with 90 seconds will leave a bad taste in the mouth. Calgary turned up the intensity and Iginla’s 2nd led to the come from behind theft.
Puck drops 8pm Tuesday night in Vancouver.