Drew Doughty’s overtime goal takes Los Angeles Kings through against Phoenix Coyotes 1-0–NHL Update
Jonathan Quick saved every shot that was aimed towards his net while Drew Doughty scored in overtime as the Los Angeles Kings defeated Phoenix Coyotes, 1-0, on Thursday, January 5, 2012, at the Staples Centre, in Los Angeles, California.
Quick got a 20th career shutout after registering 22 saves. However, his Coyotes’ counterpart, Mike Smith, failed only once which was enough to give the Kings a decisive lead.
During the game, Smith made 27 saves, which were appreciated by Quick.
"Smith made some big saves to push it into overtime, but we were fortunate to get a goal early in overtime and get out of here with two points", Quick said. "There were times when our systems caught up with each other and not much was going on. But we outplayed
them".
Darryl Sutter is proving lucky for the Kings, since he replaced coach, Terry Murray, the Kings have not been defeated in any regulation contest.
Besides, they have always earned at least a point in their last nine games. The Kings will register a new franchise record if they get points in their two upcoming games.
The game remained evenly poised until the end and was decided by a controversial goal.
Following three scoreless periods, the game was forced into overtime. After only 38 seconds, Jarret Stoll fired off a pass to Doughty, who snapped the puck towards the net.
The puck was deflected off Coyotes’ defenseman, Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s skate and went into the net. At the same time, Jack Johnson skated right into the net forcing the posts to move upwards.
The referee signalled the goal and a video replay later supported the referee’s call to give Kings the victory.
However, Coyotes did not seem too pleased with the decision. Coach, Dave Tippett, and captain, Shane Doan, protested over the referee’s decision and alleged that Johnson had blocked the goalie’s way.
Had Johnson not crashed into the nets, they claimed, Smith would have prevented the puck from reaching the net.
“It should be no goal. The puck did go in the net, but it should be goalie interference", Tippett said.
"The ref who made the call was more watching the net come up off the moorings and not paying attention to what's in the crease”, Doan added.
Notwithstanding the protest, it was Doughty who enjoyed the fame after the game and finally finished his month long scoreless drought.
It was the second straight defeat for the Coyotes, who are now going to take on the New York Islanders on Saturday, January 7, 2012.
The Kings on the other hand, will be facing Columbus Blue Jackets on the same day.
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