NHL Update - Phoenix Coyotes win 3-1 against the Los Angeles Kings
NHL fans witnessed one of the unique games in the offseason, the split squad match on Thursday, the 23rd of September between the Phoenix Coyotes and the Los Angeles Kings. One of the two matches took place at the Staples Centre - home of the
Los Angeles Kings. There were around 10,000 fans that came to witness this encounter.
The Phoenix Coyotes Head Coach David Tippet opined before the match, “We will be looking to win both of the matches. Though we are in a strong position ahead of both of the matches, we will make sure that we win both games dominating the proceedings.”
This is without any doubt what the Phoenix Coyotes did by coming up with early shots and then maintaining it throughout the course of the first period. The Phoenix Coyotes made a total of 10 shots during the first period and were able to score in the 7th
minute. Mikkel Boedker was the goal scorer who with the help of some excellent wrist work scored a brilliant 35 feet shot. This put the away team into the lead for the rest of the first period.
On the other hand, the Los Angeles Kings had a good middle first period during which they managed to come up with good healthy goal scoring opportunities. But to their disappointment, they weren’t able to turn any of these shots into goals. At the end of
the first period, they came up with a total of seven shots.
During the break, the Head Coach of the Los Angeles Kings, Terry Murray said “though we weren’t able to convert any of our opportunities but still we try to match their game and look to score. Though this is a tough task, but if we manage to unite and come
up with good passing we can win it.”
The second period of the match was goalless as none of the teams were ready to score or come up with any extravagant play. The second period was slow, considering the fact that there were only 4 shots by each team and neither of the teams were able to score.
Maclean shot from a distance of 21 feet for the Phoenix Coyotes but it was blocked by the goalie.
Other than this, there was nothing much to talk about at the end of the second period. Senior analysts present on the occasion opined, “Though this period may seem to be a boring one, but it was one of the tactical periods where both teams were assessing
each other’s weaknesses.”
Indeed this could very well have been the reason as both teams managed to score in this period. Though the Phoenix Coyotes were able to score twice compared to one goal from the Los Angeles Kings, but still, both teams put up a great show during the final
period of the game.
During the course of the third period, the Los Angeles Kings scored first and levelled the game. The Kings after scoring the goal formed a very strong defence line that was not easy to break. However, the Kings weren’t able to hold for too long as the Phoenix
Coyotes managed to score and take the lead in the 16th minute. A 32 feet shot from Brett Maclean was able to get into the net and they took the lead 2-1.
The Los Angeles Kings responded with frequent attacks of their own but in doing so, they were often found off guard. This eventually led to another goal being scored by the Phoenix Coyotes in the third period with just 42 seconds left to play through Eric
Belanger from a 34 feet wrist shot.
At the end of the match, statistics show that Phoenix Coyotes came up with 21 shots out of which 3 goals were scored and the Kings scored once from 20 goal attempts. The final result was 3-1 in favour of the Phoenix Coyotes.
Al-Montoya, the Phoenix Coyotes goal keeper claimed, “It was tough match as I had to come up with 19 saves I think. This shows how offensively strong the other team was.”
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