Shane Doan Breaks Out In 2-1 Victory Over Anaheim
Shane Doan’s wild shootout goal brought a fruitful win over Anaheim
For the first time in more than a month. the Arizona Coyotes have won back to back games — and once again, one of the wins came from a league-leading team. Of course, this win wouldn’t have been possible without the help of a little luck — thanks to Shane Doan’s broken stick.
The Coyotes and Ducks couldn’t settle things after 65 minutes of hard-fought defensive play, so they had to settle for a shootout — and Shane Doan netted the game winner on one of the weirdest goals you will ever see. Doan went to shoot the puck, and his stick shattered — but the puck kept moving and snuck past goalie Frederik Andersen.
“:” I have never seen that before, I’ve seen a lot of things in this game for a long time and I’ve never seen that one before”-Dave Tippett on Doan’s shootout goal
“I was trying to go five hole and shoot it a bit quicker before I got too close, but I probably would have hit him in the pads,” Shane Doan said.
“I looked at my stick and couldn’t believe it ,and then out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw the puck in the net… but I was excited when I figured out it counted,” Doan said.
The game ended on a bit of luck, but the Coyotes played a great game all around. Thanks to some good defensive play in front of goalie Devan Dubnyk, who stopped 36 of the 37 shots he faced, the team was able to hold things down until the OT SO decision.
Dec 27, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek (4) celebrates his first period goal with teammates against the Anaheim Ducks at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
"“We [have] struggled this year defensively so it’s nice to play a good defensive game against one of the best teams in the league. Hopefully we can build on this game and give us some confidence,” Zbynek Michalek said."
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Michalek also won the team’s MVP belt, and it sat waiting for him in his locker stall after the game. Michalek scored his first goal of the season to tie the game at one in the first period, less than a minute and a half after Rene Bourque started the scoring for Anaheim.
The win also had Dave Tippett smiling after the Shane Doan goal, and he seemed pleased with the Coyotes effort on Saturday.
“I thought the guys competed hard and did a lot of simple, smart things. ” Tippett said. “We stayed competitive in the game and we found a way to get a couple of points”
This game marked the third straight one goal game these two teams have played, and that came through in the stat sheet. Both teams combined for 84 hits during the game, with Martin Hanzal leading all skaters with eight, and each side looked especially strong defensively.
Sam Gagner also notched another assist, giving him five points in two games. He’s finally heating up, and Coach Tippett gives him credit for acclimating to the wing.
"“He is getting more comfortable at wing, that’s a good position for him — especially with Hanzal, who does a lot of heavy low work which allows Sam to use his skill, we’re moving in the right direction,” Tippett said."
The Coyotes will now get ready to play another game at home, hosting Philadelphia on Monday before wrapping up 2014 on the road in Dallas.
Doggy Biscuits:
"Shane Doan: “Its Closer to our game that we need to play, we still gave up too many chances and too many shots but its closer.”Dave Tippett on Doan’s SO goal:” I have never seen that before, I’ve seen a lot of things in this game for a long time and I’ve never seen that one before.”"
Tweet of the game:
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