RECAP: St. Louis Gives Coyotes The Blues In Tough Loss
Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
There were some things to not hate about last night’s game against the St. Louis Blues. After coming off of a tough loss to the Winnipeg Jets, in which the Yotes were outscored 5-1 by a far inferior team, and playing their first back to back in some time, they were sure to lose and lose big. After all, The Blues of late have been a tough team lately, winning 8 of their last 9. However, there was some spark from the Coyotes I didn’t expect to see. Some defensive spark, if you will.
With Mike Smith back in goal after a dismal showing up North the night before in his homeland of Canada, the Yotes put out one of the cleanest games they’ve played since Captain Shane Doan returned to the ice after being out a month due to Rocky Mountain Fever. Yes, you heard that right. Because Shane Doan lives in the mountains, wrestles bears, fights mountain lion and fishes with his bare hands. And occasionally gets bitten by ticks. But I digress! What we saw last night in St. Louis spoke of something we have not seen since Doan’s return. Chemistry on the ice.
Shane was out for an entire month of games. And during that month the team seemed to find a good rhythm. I’m not saying Doan should sit. I don’t want you tweeting me that I’m a lunatic who doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Even though, let’s face it, you’re half right. I’m just saying that the younger players on the team, like legitimate scoring all stars Keith Yandle and Mikkel Boedker, found themselves in leadership positions and led well. And now that Shane is back maybe, just maybe, it’s taking some time to get their groove back on.
Well, if last night is any indication of where their game could be going, than something tells me the Coyotes are going to be making a late season push for the Post Season. Just my humble opinion but who cares about what I think? Let’s get to the scoring RECAP!
1st Period: With less crazed shots on goal it seemed that the Coyotes were trying to control the game defensively. This may have been their strongest period in a game of sound hockey.
– The Blues Oshie puts a one timer in. Jumping ahead 1-0.
2nd Period: The Chemistry continued in the 2nd and the Yotes seemed to make some healthy adjustments between 1 and 2.
– St. Louis makes it 2-0 when Oshie scores again on a power play, again behind a screen.
– Ekman-Larsson will not be denied. He wrists one past Blues Goalie Halak. 2-1 Yotes.
3rd Period: Nothing happened here of scoring note, but the Yotes brought their SOG percentage up a bit and got aggressive behind a Kennedy, Hanzal and Vrbata line. Yotes lose 2-1 but in my opinion, there are things to look forward to for the Phoenix Coyotes.
So that’s all for now. Comment below. Let me know how much you hate me. I feed on your dark thoughts. Until next time, stay ornery Arizona!