RECAP: Coyotes Drop Another To Canucks

Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Twice in tonight’s game the Canucks had a two goal lead and twice the Coyotes rose to the occasion to close the distance with their Wildcard rivals. It wasn’t until a late and loose (some would say downright lucky) goal scored by Vancouver Defenseman Kevin Bieksa in Overtime that the Canucks finally put this one to bed. The Phoenix Coyotes lose another heart breaker to the Vancouver Canucks and it was the exact wrong time to do so.

If the Coyotes had managed to crush the Canucks tonight they’d have moved that much closer to a playoff berth. Since they lost it means that they are now 3 points behind the Minnesota Wild and 5 behind Vancouver. It’s not pretty but it’s the Yotes lot in life. This is a game they should have won handily. The Phoenix roster is loaded with talent and yet Vancouver was able to make Mike Smith look like a 4th grader on new skates. Not that the Canucks goalie, Roberto Luongo faired much better. Combined the two guardians of the net gave up 9 goals. No really. In one game. I’m serious.

However, as bleak as the night looks now I still think there are a couple of positives to come from this loss. 1) The Coyotes DID score 4 goals. Not exactly an easy thing to do. Now all they need is a little more defense and maybe that kind of scoring prowess will start to pay off. And 2) The Coyotes are coming home for a 5 game home stand and can start to immediately put this game in the past. At some point this team needs to get out of it’s own way. Let’s hope this week is where they stop stepping on their own toes and play like the all-stars we Yotes fans know them to be.

But enough about that, let’s get into the scoring RECAP!

1st Period: the Canucks jump ahead early and the Yotes chase them for the rest of the game.

– Even thought the Coyotes kill a power play Canuck’s Bieksa takes a shot from downtown and it gets assisted in. 1-0 Canucks.

– Then right after Bieksa’s goal Kesler of Vancouver passes to Hansen for Canuck goal numero two. 2-0 Canucks.

– Coyotes Vermette gets his 16th goal of the season when Moss leads him to the net. 2-1 Canucks.

2nd Period: The period started with a phantom goal from Chipchura that was quickly taken away by the officials. The Yotes manage to keep it interesting despite bad luck.

– Vermette catches his own rebound and puts it in after handling the puck almost the entire length of the ice. 2-2 TIED.

– Vancouver’s Higgins redirects a shot from Hamhuls. Makes it 3-2 Canucks.

– Like deja vu, the Canucks follow up one goal with another. Climb to a 4-2 lead after Dalpe scores on his own rebound. 4-2 Canucks.

– Vermette gets the Coyotes first power play goal of the game. 4-3 Canucks.

3rd Period: The Coyotes quickly tie it up and take this party to Overtime.

– Captain Shane Doan ties it up. 4-4 TIED.

Overtime: Until lat in the period it looked as if the Coyotes were going to get away with at least a tie. After surmounting a two goal comeback twice it seemed destiny was on their side. It was night.

– Bieksa, who started the night, finishes it with a quick rebound. 5-4 Canuck. FINAL.

This was a tough one. Not much else to be said. Let’s hope for a better outcome from this upcoming home stand. Until then, stay ornery Arizona.