Radim Vrbata scored twice as Phoenix Coyotes edge Los Angeles Kings 3-2 -NHL Match Update
Radim Vrbata scored twice to keep Phoenix alive on Saturday night, October 29, 2011, as the Coyotes edged the Los Angeles Kings for another disappointing loss at the rowdy Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona, United States.
Phoenix Coyotes goalie, Mike Smith, faced more shots on his net as compared to counterpart in the Los Angeles net, 39-33, but still managed to stay focused and blocked 37, including some major last minute saves as the Kings continued shooting in double figures
throughout the game.
Vrbata has managed to score only three goals in his past 10 matchups and being a veteran right winger, he hopes that this game will allow him to finally break that barrier and continue scoring now.
"The puck hasn't been going in for me, but putting a familiar face like Whits on the line has changed things up and we've been very comfortable", said Vrbata. "The chemistry is just there. We know each other and where we are going to be on the ice. I think
all three of us enjoy it".
Mike Richards opened the scoring early in the second period for his second of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, but was closely followed by Vrbata’s equaliser nearly two minutes later and another by the 30-year-old at the 15:23 mark.
After Phoenix’s second goal, Los Angeles Kings gave off two straight penalties as Brad Richardson and Drew Doughty were booked for roughing and holding respectively, but the Coyotes also lost Keith Yandle with Richardson for roughing.
The Kings high flying forward, Anze Kopitar, scored his fifth of the season 6:30 into the third to level up the match, which would ultimately be the overtime forcing shot for them as both teams failed to capitalise in the next 14 minutes.
Daymond Langkow scored with 44 seconds remaining in overtime to take the match, which could have headed into an uncertain shootout decider, giving them a much needed victory.
"We played well enough to win the game", Kings coach Terry Murray said. "They had a player that stepped up big-time. Vrbata played a big-time game, two goals and set up the winning goal in overtime".
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