Phoenix Coyotes defeat Vancouver Canucks 3-1
It’s a done deal, being the top most franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL) isn’t enough for a team to win every match, especially when postseason time is near. The Phoenix and Vancouver match gave confirmation of that statement, as the Coyotes thrashed
the Canucks 3-1 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Friday night.
The result meant that Phoenix snapped Vancouver’s seven-game winning streak. Instead of Cory Schneider starting the match as expected, Roberto Luongo came in as the backup goalie for Vancouver. Meanwhile, Jason LaBarbera started the game ahead of Russian
goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov for Phoenix.
Despite numerous power-play opportunities in the first period, and a single in the second, both teams remained locked out and unable to break down each other’s defence. LaBarbera played spectacularly by deflecting 46 shots. Even though Phoenix had almost
half the attempts on goal, Luongo only had 29 saves to make but let three slip in.
Radim Vrbata scored the first of the match midway through the final period, and assisted Captain Shane Doan over a minute later to give Phoenix a 2-0 lead with five minutes remaining. Both players capitalised on a major power-play, after Alex Burrows deliberately
pushed Vernon Fiddler face first into the glass boards. Burrows was awarded with a five-minute major and 10-minute game misconduct penalty.
It was a thrilling moment for the home crowd when Christian Ehrhoff washed away LaBarbera’s hopes of achieving a shutout, scoring in the 18th minute on the third period. Vancouver fought hard to get another one to force overtime, taking more shots
on goal in the third than any other period. Lee Stempniak insured the game for Phoenix, scoring on an empty net with a minute remaining on the clock.
The win allowed the Coyotes to close in to within a point of the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference with 89 points. They’ve extended their winning streak to five-games now with nine games remaining for both teams.
Vancouver though still stands strong. They’ve already clinched a playoff spot, but need their key defencemen back and players like centre Manny Malhotra to cash in their hard work throughout the season. Malhotra though, is at a critical stage of his professional
career, after having eye surgery on Thursday. He was hit on the eye by a puck during their previous game against Colorado, and it's not clear how long he is out for.
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