Coyotes mightier than Ducks in Deja Deux 5-4 in shootout
By Troy Baker
Well it started different but ended the same with the Phoenix Coyotes again out lasting the Anaheim Ducks in the shootout.
Mar. 4, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes center Matthew Lombardi (8) scores on Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (1) during the third period at Jobing.com Arena. Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
To be successful this series the Coyotes must get a point or two Wednesday night in Anaheim as they have collected 4 so far but Anaheim still collected 2. Meaning it is possible 2 win 2 and lose only 1 but walk away with 4 points each. So to keep the momentum going and call this s true winning series Phoenix must get something in game 3.
Beleskey opened up the scoring in a tightly played first period and this game had a much different feel than game 1. I felt the ‘Yotes pushed the pace to force a tired Anaheim to tire by the 3rd period. In the end it didn’t matter because a shootout decided it. This game was more hockey the hard way through 2 periods of play.
Within the first minute of the 2nd period Vermette put in a rebound after a face off win and just like that 1 – 1. Shortly after they broke into the scoring column Keith Yandle showed the haters why he is valuable still with a slap shot from the point that appeared to deflect off Sullivan but it was all the Assistant Captain. 2 – 1 Coyotes with the 2nd period dwindling down. At this point Mike Smith had recovered from the early Anaheim goal and looked to be the lead story until late 2nd period with the Coyotes on the power play and all but certain to lead by a goal or more heading into the 3rd. Then a few errors gave the puck over to the Ducks Getzlaf finally showed why he is so dangerous by netting a shorthanded goal to make the Coyotes and their fans sick after 2 periods. Even after outshooting Anaheim by double we were all tied 2 – 2.
Entering the 3rd Phoenix again seemed to have the jump. This game felt more in favor of the home team as the Desert Dawgs were swarming. But every time you felt good tic tac toe came the Ducks with a nifty goal. In 2 minutes of ice time to end and start the period the Ducks scored 2 straight goals thanks to Corey Perry. Shane Doan battled for his game tying and 800th point putting him 2nd all time passing Keith Tkachuck. Bobby Ryan and Michael Stone traded goals and now 4 – 4 heading to overtime where the Coyotes swarmed and had so many opportunities. Fans cried for a penalty shot but the ref claimed deflection. I said BS in it’s long form about 6 times.
Again Mike Smith seemed to play very well at times but still gave up 4 goals in back to back games. Just after he makes an incredible save you see a slippery one get passed him. Many of the goals against are point blank in front of him or at his back door. He shows how good he can be with average defense. Against a skilled Ducks team you can’t have lapses.
In the Shootout the teams traded nifty goal each then Oliver “Ollie the Trollie” Ekman Larsson won it upstairs as Bobby Ryan could not match him. Coyotes WIN! Everybody HOWLLLLLL!!
This was another back to back exciting game with all the thrills and chills of a well played game and sport. Having a young kid with me he was so excited about his first game. Take someone new to a game. Help grow the sport in Phoenix. Enough people love them but an owner is needed.