Anaheim Ducks top line leads the way over the Phoenix Coyotes
The Anaheim Ducks' top line of Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, and Bobby Ryan combined for seven points and factored in all of Anaheim's goals leading the way to a 3-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Sunday
17 October.
How it went down
After a scoreless opening period, the top line for the Ducks got things going in the second period by setting up defencemen for goals with Cam Fowler scoring from the point at 3:41, and Toni Lydman scoring
at 9:44 after he had pinched in and was found wide open at the side of the net by a great feed in front from Bobby Ryan.
A few minutes after opening the scoring, Fowler was checked into the boards by Shane Doan and left the game.
The Ducks blew their two-goal lead for the second game in a row after giving up back-to-back third period goals from Scottie Upshall and Eric Belanger, who each scored their second of the season.
But the Ducks' top line did manage to get the winning goal with just under six minutes to go when Ryan Getlaf fed in a perfect pass for a streaking Corey Perry to tip home through the legs of Phoenix goaltender
Jason LaBarbera.
What they're saying
Coyotes head coach, Dave Tippett, although upset about the final result, was happy with the way his team fought back and with how they've been playing in recent games.
"We came in and played a good (first) period and then got ourselves down two," Tippett said. "Our desperation level raised in the third period and we got ourselves back in the game. Right now we're in
close games and you've got to find a way to win those games. We're going to continue to work."
There was some concern on the part of Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle regarding the status of Fowler.
"He's a special hockey player," Carlyle said. "He's young and energetic. That's the kind of skill that he displays. We think that he can do a lot more of that
"I don't know if his nose is broken. All I saw was the blood."
What it all means
The Ducks took five of a possible six points during their three-game home stand as they now head out on the road for a four-game road swing beginning with a meeting with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday
October 20.
The Coyotes are now winless in their last three games. They will host the Los Angeles Kings in their next game on Thursday 21 October.
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