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Arizona Coyotes – Howlin’ Hockey Wednesday’s Words

By William Grigsby

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Here’s the latest happening with the Arizona Coyotes and around the NHL, in the last week.

Martinook Making His Mark

Jordan Martinook has been playing some inspired hockey for the Arizona Coyotes. After being called up for eight games last season, he made the starting lineup out of training camp this season.GM Don Maloney did not hold back on praise for the young forward.

All quotes from Coyotes Dave Vest (coyotes.nhl.com)

"“From his first ice session in training camp, Jordan his willed his way onto our roster, General Manager Don Maloney said. He plays every shift as if it’s his last and the results speak for themselves. His skating, strength on his skates and second-effort approach have been needed and welcomed. As much as Max Domi and Anthony Duclair have excelled in offensive areas, Jordan’s two-way game has been equally impressive.”"

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Martinook, 23, has tallied two goals and two assists while playing nearly 15 minutes per game. He also has been physical with 10 hits, five blocked shots and five takeaways, and has won 6 of 9 face-offs. In addition, he has quickly become one of the team’s most reliable penalty killers; only Boyd Gordon has logged more PK ice time among the team’s forwards.

Tippett’s Tips

During the Arizona Coyotes awesome three game winning streak, which included wins against tough Pacific Division teams Anaheim , L.A., and not so tough Edmonton — Head Coach Dave Tippett was pleased with his team’s performance and how they pushed each other to excel.

"“I thought everybody chipped in tonight,” Tippett said after Arizona’s 4-1 victory over Edmonton on Thursday November 12th at Gila River Arena. “There’s still lots of growing to do in this group… but the thing I like about them right now on the bench is the guys are pushing each other to do the right things.”"

Some other standouts from the Oilers game included:

Mike Smith collecting 27 saves to rebound from some rocky play recently.

Stefan Elliot skating in place of injured Nicklas Grossmann had a goal to aid the Coyotes efforts.

“Any time you get an opportunity to play and to help the team win it’s exciting, Elliott said. I’m just looking forward to taking steps forward every time I get on the ice.”

  • Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson extended his point streak to four games – matching a career-high, with a first period tally. The goal was Ekman-Larsson’s second of the season and his first since the first game of the season at Los Angeles on Oct. 9.
  • Captain Shane Doan appeared in his 1,410th game to tie Norm Ullman for 31st place on the NHL’s all-time games played list. He’s become a Coyotes’ legend in his own right.

    • The Coyotes improved to 21-2-3 vs. Edmonton under Tippett and to 7-0-0 when leading after two periods. To say they have dominated the Oilers is an understatement.

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    Blue Jackets Blues

    Containing William Karlsson who scored two goals to pace the Blue Jackets and waited until this meeting to win their first home game of the season in seven tries. This loss ended the three game Coyotes’ winning streak, and allowing Columbus two power play goals did not help matters.

    The Arizona Coyotes were led by Anthony Duclair’s goal and assist, along with Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s third goal of the year, stretching his points streak to five games. Martin Hanzal continued his prolific play by collecting his 14th assist on Duclair’s goal.

    Besides allowing Columbus to score twice on the power play, the Coyotes squandered five power play opportunities of their own, and that’s never a good combination. The Desert Dogs managed 29 shots on goal, but gave up two goals in a listless effort in the third period, causing their downfall.

    Islanders Increase Coyotes’ Inadequacies

    The Arizona Coyotes resiliency is suddenly disappearing on this road trip. After falling behind early and coming back on the California road trip, it seems that trait is missing on this current road trip. After falling behind in Columbus, the same comeback effort was nowhere in sight.

    The Islanders took a commanding 4-0 lead into the third period, and that’s too much of a hole to easily dig your way back to normalcy. As HC Dave Tippett has mentioned, when you start chasing the game, you’re in trouble. When the Coyotes finally got some smelling salts to wake up with just four plus minutes remaining in the game, it was too little too late. Hanzal and Boedker helped make the team seem relevant, but the dagger was in their hearts by then.

    They now move on to Montreal to play a team with 30 points, tied with the New York Rangers for the league lead in points. If the Arizona Coyotes want to break out of their road trip trials and tribulations, they need to work on coming out early and playing with more energy and effort. Falling behind will only give them another loss.

    Next: Arizona Coyotes Editor’s Wednesday’s Words 11-11-15

    Finishing on Saturday in Winnipeg may be an opportunity to grab at least one win on this trip. The Jets are currently in a funk where they have lost six in a row, including a severe beating of 7-0 by the Nashville Predators. They play the Canucks on 11-18-15 before meeting the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday the 21st.

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