Phoenix Coyotes continue rolling with 2-1 shootout win over Vancouver Canucks -NHL Update
Phoenix ended the month of February only in ways a team could dream of at this point in the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season as the Coyotes edged Vancouver Canucks, 2-1, in a shootout at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Surprisingly, it was to the Vancouver Canucks that Phoenix lost their single match of the month to and came back to take them right down. The Coyotes won 10 of their past 11 matchups, something which has definitely boosted their rankings as they stand at
number three in the Western Conference now atop the Pacific Division.
Ray Whitney, who was a major contributor in their game against Vancouver, has also been a factor in their recent takeover of the league as the veteran left winger holds 18 points in the last 14 games. Consistency has been the key to Phoenix winning and Whitney
is proof of that.
"That was a heck of a month by any team's standards," said the 39-year old Whitney. "We had to earn the (wins) both home and road. We beat some quality teams and getting three out of four points against the team we played tonight is impressive.”
Goaltending played the biggest role in the matchup and has done Phoenix miracles these past few weeks as Mike Smith continued to be unstoppable in the net by blocking 39 of 40 shots along with some crucial saves in the shootout.
Alexander Edler scored the opening goal for his eighth of the year on a power play while Ray Whitney was the one to level the game midway through the third and final period, forcing an overtime extension.
Failing to decide the match in overtime, both teams were headed into a shootout as Cory Schneider and Mikkel Boedker scored on their first and third attempt respectively while Vancouver missed on both chances, giving Phoenix the match.
"Obviously, we've done some good things," Smith said. "I think we've improved, and this month has been good for us. We've moved up the standings drastically and we just have to keep pushing, keep going forward."
It will not be surprising to see Phoenix as one of the leading teams heading into the playoffs the way their playing. Coyotes have the next at home against Calgary Flames on Thursday while Vancouver hosts St. Louis Blues the same day.
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