Ed Jovanovski’s hat trick leads Phonenix Coyotes past Nashville Predators
The Phoenix Coyotes have had a relatively good start to the 2010-11 NHL season, but some of their forwards have been mired in a bit of a scoring slump lately. On Wednesday 3 November Ed
Jovanovski had chance to showcase his goal-scoring prowess, and he did just that as the Phoenix Coyotes picked up a 4-3 win over the visiting Nashville Predators.
How it happened
Phoenix got off to a good start in the first period, with Jovanovski scoring his first goal of the season 1:08 into the game. Francis Bouillon of the Predators then tied the game at one
goal apiece when his wrist shot beat Ilya Byrzgalov at 8:58. Sergei Kostitsyn made it 2-1 for the visitors when he scored his second goal of the season at 9:28.
Jovanovski tied the game for the home team at 1:09 of the second frame with a slap shot that found its way behind Pekka Rinne. Nashville battled back to take the lead again with a goal
from Patric Hornqvist on the power play.
The Coyotes then took complete control of the game in the third period, scoring a pair of power play goals to win the game. Lee Stempniak had the first one, which came at 4:23 of the third
period. It was also the 100th goal of his career. Jovanovski completed his first career hat trick at 5:38 to give the Dogs a 4-3 vistory. The three-goal effort from Jovanovski was also the first hat trick recorded by a defenceman in the history of the Coyotes
franchise, which began 31 years ago as the Winnipeg Jets.
What they’re saying
Jovanovski, who provides veteran leadership to the Coyotes, was happy to have been a major factor in Phoenix’s win over the Predators.
“It was nice to get the win and nice to contribute offensively,” the 34-year-old defender said after the game. “We have forwards who can score, but we are encouraged to jump up into the
play and I guess I had a little puck luck tonight. They went in.”
Keith Yandle, another member of Phoenix’s defence corps, was as impressed as anyone with Jovanovski’s offensive outburst.
“Jovo threw us on his back and took us for a ride offensively tonight,” Yandle said. “After he scored his second one, he came back to the bench and I said, ‘Nice read.’ He just smiled
at me and said ‘Yup, that’s The Old Jovo right there.’”
“The Old Jovo” certainly breathed new life into the Coyotes’ squad, and the team emerged victorious as a result. Phoenix will have a chance to add another win when they face the Dallas
Stars on Friday, 5 November. Nashville will play the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, 6 November.
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