‘Yotes Notes: Sullivan hat trick leads Coyotes to first win of the season
Jan 24, 2013, 6:19 AM | Updated: 6:42 am
Sure, you could read the box score and know who won, but we all know that won’t tell you everything that happened in a hockey game. So, we will give you ‘Yotes Notes, providing you with the analysis, quotes and notes from the Coyotes’ 5-1 win over the Blue Jackets on January 23.
The Good:
The Coyotes finally got in the win column with a 5-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Wednesday night at Jobing.com Arena. They got some scoring from newcomer Steve Sullivan, he recorded a hat trick with three goals on the night. Oliver Ekman-Larsson also got in on the action with two goals and an assist. The ‘Yotes are now 1-2 on the season.
The Bad:
The ‘Yotes lost goalie Mike Smith in the first period to a lower body injury. He did not return to the game. He is day-to-day and was apparently dealing with some tightness during warm-ups leading up to Wednesday’s game.
Martin Hanzal and Rotislav Klesla were already scratched before Wednesday night’s game with lower body injuries and listed as day-to-day. With the shortened, condensed schedule due to the lockout we could see more injuries this season.
He Said It:
Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett talking about goalie Mike Smith’s lower body injury after the game.
The trainer told Tippett after warm-ups that Smith was “a little tight” and to keep an eye on him. Tippett said that “a little tight turned into can’t play.”
Noted:
• Steve Sullivan is the first Coyotes player to record a hat trick since Shane Doan January 7th, 2012 against the New York Islanders.
• The Coyotes were also able to avoid their first 0-3 start since 1985-86, when the franchise was still in Winnipeg.
Up Next:
No rest for the weary…the Coyotes hop on a plane and head to San Jose where they will face the Sharks Thursday night. The game is scheduled to start at 8:30 pm MST.
