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Coyotes defeat Blackhawks |
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The Coyotes come into the game tonight returning from a road trip and trying to halt a two game losing streak. The Chicago Blackhawks have been enjoying the Phoenix weather since Tuesday. Following a long standing tradition the Blackhawks brought their dads on the road trip. I wonder if they would like to trade the round of golf or two they enjoyed, the expensive hotel suite’s or the great food in Scottsdale for a win?
The Coyotes did not look like they were playing back to back games; they fought hard in the corners and won most of the battles all night long. Coach Tippett said “I’m still concerned about the penalties we are taking, but I liked our compete level right down to the final buzzer.” The Coyotes penalty kill team was busy again last night killing off all six power play chances the Blackhawks had.
The Coyotes got goals from Martin Hanzal, Peter Mueller and Scottie Upshall. It was Mueller’s first of the season. When asked what he yelled after scoring the goal, Mueller said “Finally.” Mueller was on a line with Shane Doan and Robert Lang, and had this to say about his line mates, “they make it too easy for you, that’s one thing, what can I say, I will play with those two guys, they are unbelievable players.”
This was Mueller’s second game back from a two game healthy scratch stint. Coach Tippett likes what he is seeing from Mueller saying “he was around the net today; I’d like to see, now that he has that first one behind him, get going and start producing for us.” After talking to Mueller in the locker room, he understands his focus needs to be, not just during game time, but in practice and video analysis. Mueller said “practices and watching video are the things I need to do, that is what I did and I think the coaches saw that.” After his play and practices the last two days I think for now we can say “message received.”
Ilya Bryzgalov had another solid game stopping 22 of the 23 shots he faced, including a flurry of shots in the second period where he made four or five saves before the D was able to clear the zone. After the game, in the locker room, Bryz said “there were no passengers in our bus today, everybody did his role and that’s the key why we win the game.”
David Schlemko was called up for the injured Zbynek Michalek and had a real solid game. He ended up a +2 on the night with an assist and 14:13 of ice time. “I thought Schlemko was very good tonight, he jumped in and did a good job for us” said Coach Tippett.
Injuries for any team are a big concern. Ed Jovanovski left the bench towards the end of the third period with what looked like a sprained ankle. There was no news about the injury after the game. With Kurt Sauer, Zbynek Michalek and now possibly Jovo out, our defense is taking a pounding. The call up of Schlemko put us back to six D-men, if Jovo is out and Sauer is still five to six days away, with the break before Montreal next Thursday. Will we see the boys run with five Saturday or call up someone from San Antonio?
I will be appearing on Breakthrough Sports on KXXT 1010AM today in the 3 o’clock hour. I will be discussing Coyotes Hockey with father and son team David and Greg Isaac and Sports analyst Luke Shafer.
As always you can follow me on Twitter as well at www.twitter.com/HKYFN
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