Home ice agrees with Coyotes
Published: January 16, 2012 @ 6:27pm
Phoenix Coyotes' Shane Doan pushes the puck up ice against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
On Monday, the Phoenix captain almost got his second hat trick. Doan broke a 1-1 tie with 1:28 left in the first period, then added a second tally midway through the second in the Coyotes' 6-1 cake walk over the Colorado Avalanche.
Doan had an opportunity for a third goal, and beat Colorado goalie Semyon Varlamov, but hit the post.
Boyd Gordon also had two goals for the Coyotes, and Chris Summers, Keith Yandle and Ray Whitney all had two assists, which was more than enough offensive support for Phoenix goalie Mike Smith, who had 39 saves.
The six-goal output was the Coyotes highest of the season and they've lit the lamp 11 times in their last two games in Glendale.
"I thought we went out and did some things very well today," head coach Dave Tippett said. "Obviously the two o'clock game set well with our guys."
Tippett was pleased with the performance of his team.
"There was contributions right throughout our lineup, and when you talk about identity, that's where we have to be all the time.
Not only were the 'Yotes clicking on offense, but they played a clean game penalty-wise as well. Outside of Kyle Chipchura's 5-minute major for fighting Cody McLeod in the first period, the Coyotes stayed out of the penalty box and held Colorado without a power play, which is key because the Avalanche came into the game ranked 11th in the league in power play percentage.
It was just the second time all season Colorado was held without a power play, which left head coach Joe Sacco scratching his head after the game.
"I'm not sure how many penalties we deserved, but when you go through a whole game when the other team plays a perfect game it's something to be said for how they play," he said.
The win broke a three-game losing streak for the Coyotes, who now have 49 points and head out to Anaheim to play the Ducks on Wednesday before starting a 6-game homestand against Detroit on Thursday.
policy>>