RECAP: Coyotes Gobble Up Penguins In Strong Win
Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Don’t you love it when you’re wrong? Well you know, not about some things. I’d hate to be wrong about my checking account balance or my wife’s birthday. That would not go well. And the two combined could turn out to be a real nightmare. But enough about the troubles of a forgetful absent minded husband! No, I’m glad that I was wrong about the Phoenix Coyotes tonight.
The Yotes handed the Pittsburgh Penguins one of their worst losses all season. And boy, did I NOT see that one coming. After Phoenix figuratively messed the bed on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres, a game they clearly had in the bag only to let the Sabres back in and steal it away, and another call From Tippy to put Mike Smith back on net, I was running for cover faster than Chicken Little. And while there’s room and reason enough to call this game a typical “trap” for Pittsburgh, for now I’m glad to be proven dead wrong.
It’s difficult to remember the level of talent on this roster. In fact, I often wonder if they themselves forget how good they are. It seems the Yotes have been stuck in a see saw season all year. They win one and then they drop one. Maybe it really is some sort of lack of momentum. Maybe there is a mental lapse happening on the ice after a win now. Maybe the Yotes are like a gambler who wills himself to lose after winning big because of some sick backwards vision of karma, a twisted notion of Yin and Yang or just plain self loathing. Whatever it is, we’re on the upside of the big board now and it’s up to us to keep the fat kid in the dirt, because from here we’ve got a great view of the playground.
1st Period: Solid line play leads to a jump ahead goal. And it just gets better from here.
– Ribeiro wrists one pasts Pittsburgh’s Fluery’s glove. It is Ribeiro’s 200th goal in the NHL and gives the Yotes a 1-0 lead.
2nd Period: Focused play leads to a growing lead, but things get testy near the end to remind us that Mike Smith has a tendency to falter in the 3rd.
– Michalek gets his first goal of the season. The Defensman stabs his old team in the back with a dagger that sneaks by Fluery. 2-0 Yotes.
– Penguin’s Malkin returns the favor and puts the puck past Smitty’s glove side. 2-1 Yotes.
3rd Period: An early score and solid defense keeps this game on the right side of the ice for the Coyotes.
– Hanzal causes a turnover and Vrbata reaps the rewards. 3-1 Yotes.
And that was that. If it feels this good to be wrong I hope to stay wrong for the rest of the year. Nothing like winning to make a loser feel so darn good. Until next time, stay ornery Arizona.