Despite Raanta’s exit, Coyotes rally in third period to beat Wild
Nov 27, 2018, 8:35 PM | Updated: Nov 28, 2018, 9:04 am
(AP Photo/Jim Mone)
The Arizona Coyotes have to be worried about the status of starting goaltender Antti Raanta.
Raanta missed eight games in November due to an undisclosed lower-body injury and proceeded to give up 11 total goals in his first two starts back.
On Monday at practice, head coach Rick Tocchet implied that the trainers were looking at something with Raanta and said it would be a day-to-day matter.
That matter appeared to come up for Raanta in Tuesday’s 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild, as he exited during the second intermission due to a lower-body injury. It is not known whether or not it is the same injury that caused Raanta to miss eight games.
Adin Hill replaced Raanta, and after the goaltender exited with a 3-1 deficit, the Coyotes got on a roll.
Fourth-liner Josh Archibald got the scoring started with a snipe from the slot off a Wild turnover forced by Lawson Crouse, the lone goal scorer for the Coyotes in the first period.
Back to a 1-goal game. Not even a coach's challenge could take this Archibald goal off the board. pic.twitter.com/H0c0PYoAs8
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) November 28, 2018
Another great forecheck by the Coyotes brought on the next goal. Brad Richardson’s work in the corner got Michael Grabner the puck in front of the net and he slotted it home to tie the game less than five minutes later.
Ask and you shall receive, @TysonNash. Tie game! pic.twitter.com/2wAiCt3RLk
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) November 28, 2018
In 97 seconds, Archibald once again found space in the slot on a semi-breakaway and buried the chance to give the Coyotes a stunning 4-3 lead through three goals in 5:29 of game time.
Have a period, Josh Archibald! #Yotes lead in the third. pic.twitter.com/w5Vnmao4bF
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) November 28, 2018
In nine games, Archibald entered Tuesday night pointless and he left Minnesota with two goals and an assist.
The win for the Coyotes snapped a four-game losing streak.