Rangers Lose In The Desert
While the Phoenix Coyotes' troubles off the ice seem to be resolved for now, any uncertainty about the team's future was definitely not reflected on the ice. The Coyotes really brought the game to the Rangers last night, ruining Alain Vigneault's debut.
Kyle Chipchura netted first for Phoenix only a few minutes into the game after an error by Henrik Lundqvist allowed Rob Klinkhammer to set up Chipchura for the opener.
The Jobing.com arena gave the Phoenix keeper a standing ovation after Mike Smith made a sprawling double save to keep the Coyotes in the lead.
The Rangers upped their game but the first period finished with the Coyotes leading 1-0.
The second period brought more goals, Marc Staal cancelled out the Coyotes' lead during a Rangers powerplay. The game didn't stay tied for long though, Radim Vrbata was alert to a rebounding puck to fire past Lundqvist just before the halfway point of the game.
The second period finished without incident, Coyotes lead 2-1.
The third period was forgettable for Vigneault. Dan Girardi was sent to the box for roughing almost immediately, this allowed Vrbata to fire a rocket of a shot from empty space. A well worked goal by Phoenix.
Vrbata got his hatrick goal soon after during some four on four play. Vrbata chased the puck and made a nuisance of himself, poaching a goal right from between Lundqvist and a Rangers blueliner. The goal gave Vrbata his fifth career hat-trick. The first Coyotes opening night hat-trick since 1995.
The second period finished without incident, Coyotes lead 2-1.
The third period was forgettable for Vigneault. Dan Girardi was sent to the box for roughing almost immediately, this allowed Vrbata to fire a rocket of a shot from empty space. A well worked goal by Phoenix.
Vrbata got his hatrick goal soon after during some four on four play. Vrbata chased the puck and made a nuisance of himself, poaching a goal right from between Lundqvist and a Rangers blueliner. The goal gave Vrbata his fifth career hat-trick. The first Coyotes opening night hat-trick since 1995.
After Smith's feet were taken from underneath him by Derek Dorsett, Chris Brown decided to avenge the downing of his keeper and the two players locked horns.
Miller found space on the powerplay to go one-on-one with Smith but the Phoenix keeper again earned his pay by denying Miller's shot.
With two minutes left on the clock, Rick Nash and Martin Hanzal went at it after Hanzal hit Derek Stepan into the boards.
If Vigneault takes anything from this game, it's that his boys need to perform better on the powerplay. Phoenix gave plenty of opportunities but the Rangers were only able to benefit from the man advantage once.
Promising stuff from the Coyotes who were, as the t-shirts said 'hungrier than ever'.
Promising stuff from the Coyotes who were, as the t-shirts said 'hungrier than ever'.
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