Coyotes gunslingers Korpikoski and Sullivan outduel Anaheim in Wild West Shootout 5-4

This was a wild one folks. By the way it was ONLY game 1 of this 3 game regular season series.

Hard to say Mike Smith had a good game giving up 4 goals but you had to see it to believe it. So many point blank saves that outweigh the screened and turnover goals.

The first period started all to familiar for ‘Yotes fans with a early goal scored by Cogliano and he wasn’t done by far. He had a Hat Trick before the end of the 2nd period.

Sandwiched in the middle of that 3 goal output was a nifty backhand goal off Fasth by Matt Lombardi and a dangled wrister by Lauri Korpikoski. Cogliano is one player who loves playing at Jobing.com arena as he scored one last season with another team. There you have it 3-2 after the 2nd stanza and he Coyotes needing an early effort to start the 3rd and oh did they get that. After Anaheim opened the game with a goal in 20 seconds, Phoenix did a bit better with a scrappy goal 15 seconds into the 3rd period when Korpi wristed a deflected pass from Vermette past the sprawling Duck goalie to tie it 3 – 3.

The next goal would be a controversial one that would leave Coyotes fans scratching their heads. With no power plays of their own and several instances it seemed the refs swallowed their whistles Kyle Chipchura was pushed from behind and called for goalie interference. The end of a long power play resulted in the 4th goal for Anaheim that drew boos from the crowd at jobing.com arena. Even later Smitty was slashed obviously no whistle.

Steve Sullivan tried and tried again, and finally succeeded after intense pressure. With the score tied a 4-4 we headed for overtime. This was an exciting game to watch as a fan.

In the overtime back and forth action resulted in the refs finding their whistles and once again not in favor of Phoenix. After weathering intense pressure it headed to a shootout. It got chippy late.

Steve Sullivan was the only successful shooter and the Coyotes escaped with 2 points and a tough division win which felt like a must win. Monday night will mean a lot to both teams. A Phoenix win and it is traction gained and increased momentum. An Anaheim win will be ho hum status quo at the top.

Mike Smith still had 31 saves but Fasth had 33 but both gave up 4 in the end.

Puck drops at 7pm Mon night for the quick rematch at home.