Arizona Coyotes Fight Their Way To A Point, Lose 2-1 To Flames In OT
In the midst of a five game losing streak, the Arizona Coyotes returned to Glendale seeking a reboot.
The Arizona Coyotes showed a little grit in Glendale on Thursday night.
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It wasn’t enough to get a victory, but it might be something that can jump start a team that appeared to be going through the motions.
The Yotes dropped the gloves three times on the night, and one of those fighters was Max Domi.
Domi also nabbed a greasy goal in the first period after some hard work in the offensive zone. The kind of hard work we haven’t seen from many lines put out by Dave Tippett and the Arizona Coyotes this season.
After the first, the enthusiasm tapered off a bit allowing the Flames to crawl back into the contest.
Arizona managed to push the game to overtime for a much needed point, but that’s where the good news ended.
Brendan Perlini‘s attempt to set up the game-winning goal turned into a chance on the other end. Perlini got back to defend, but got turned inside-out like a turnstile and Dougie Hamilton scored the game-winner.
Calgary wins, 2-1.
Arizona Coyotes Player of the Game
Max Domi scored his fifth goal of the season.
He also got his face beat up a bit by Garnet Hathaway.
I love Domi’s fire, but Ryan White is on the team for a reason. You’re one of the few good things we have going this season and we’d like to keep it that way.
The View From The 200 Level
Better effort, same result.
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I think everyone watching has accepted there is no chance at playoff glory this season, so seeing a little fire in the Yotes’ bellies will suffice for many of us at this point.
These losses have been hard to take because of the ineptitude displayed, sure, but also because the team has more or less rolled over repeatedly.
Even in the past few seasons, which were similarly lean, Tipp’s teams fought tooth and nail, win or lose.
It was nice to see that attitude return tonight, even if it was still shy of a 60 minute effort.
Mike Smith saved 33 of 35 shots tonight. He continues to impress this season.
Shane Doan also broke the franchise record for assists with an apple on Domi’s goal.
That’s always nice.
With that said, could someone send Dave Tippett the memo about Shane Doan being 40-years-old?
I know the captain was having a good night, which have been few and far between for him (and the team as a whole) this season, but he has no place on the ice for 3-on-3 hockey. He’s not fast enough, and his ability to position himself to compensate for that is negated completely by the fast break nature of the situation.
That’s twice that Doan has been on the ice for an overtime game-winning goal.
The last time, Dylan Strome got demoted afterward. Watch out, Brendan Perlini.
Saturday night sees the Arizona Coyotes face the struggling Nashville Predators.