Revenge was sweet for Marian Hossa who left the ice on both skates and not a stretcher. He also netted 2 goals as Mike Smith couldn’t stop the bleeding. Leaving the Desert Dawgs POINTLESS after 2 games.
A goal for every 12 minutes on the ice is not what Mike Smith planned on when the season started. Not all Smith’s fault as the defense again gave the puck away often. Smith should have been pulled after he gave up the 4th goal in the 2nd period. His frustration boiled over on goal number 6 as he smashed his stick across the goal post and shattering it into pieces. Blackhawks were everywhere Sunday night. They hit and blasted pucks all over the zones. They even nailed a young Coyotes fan as the girl was taken for medical attention. No Mike Smith wasn’t sitting next to her either.
Apparently the Phoenix Coyotes hate a 2-1 lead. Both games in the shortened season had the Coyote leading 2-1 and then the wheels fell off the wagon. David Moss got the Coyotes off on the good foot and a 1-0 lead. It evaporated quickly as Bolland lit the lamp on the power play. 1-1 after one period.
The gloves were dropped and Biznasty got into it with Bolig. It inspired Vermette to get into the goal column. 2-1 Coyotes. Then it happened. Another power outage on the power play had the Coyotes fail on back to back man advantages. Then as easy as 1 2 3, Chicago was up 4-2 with goals from Sharp, Hossa, and Stalberg.
Smith should not have answered the bell to start the 3rd period as he gave up a cheap one only 14 seconds in. 5-2 Hawks. Some headed to the exits. Not the real fans. THey were treated to a ferocious rally with goals from Hanzal and Doan just a min apart to get the boys back in it 5-4. Alas it was short lived as all the momentum was sucked from the building as Bolland joined Hossa as 2 goal scorers on this night only 22 seconds after Doan’s to make it 6-4 Hawks. A few chances that trickled wide then multiple penalties put the icing on a 0-2 start for Phoenix.
No room for error in a short 48 game sprint. Good news is the Blue Jackets are in town Wednesday for another 8pm start. Also Greg Jamison should be announcing his finalized deal to keep the Coyotes in Glendale for decades. There will be no banners or huge draws to fill the building. It is a school night / work night. Tell all your friends. Direct them to your ticket rep, Stubhub, Craigslist, etc. Help promote the game of hockey in the desert. Show them all it CAN work. I have my season tickets. Do you?
On a side note Steve Sullivan left the game with what appeared to be an upper body injury after a huge check mid game. He came in for a shift but couldn’t go any further. He will be evaluated. Monday and Tuesday will be days to regroup. Wednesday will be a frenzied attack as the desperate Desert Dawgs will be hungry for points.