‘Yotes Notes: Coyotes come up short, drop fifth straight

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’ 2-1 loss to the Canucks on March 21.

The Good:

The Coyotes scored their first goal of the game on the power play, something that had been missing for a while. Radim Vrbata, who missed 14 games with an injury, got an assist on the goal, scored by Antoine Vermette.

The Coyotes brought the intensity for the second game in a row, outhitting Vancouver 50 to 19. They also out-hustled the Canucks for the most part, but the goals simply wouldn’t come.

The Bad:

The Coyotes were left chasing the game — again — in the first period after Christopher Tanev was left free and clear in the slot after Mikkel Boedker tripped. That’s becoming a major issue for the team.

The Canucks scored the go-ahead goal after replacement Jason LaBarbera stopped play. It appeared he believed he was interfered with, but no whistle was blown.

The penalty struggle continued for Phoenix, who spent a total of 10 minutes in the box. Two penalties taken negated a Phoenix power play.

Noted:

• The Coyotes have now lost five straight games.

• The Coyotes welcomed an overcapacity crowd of 17,220.

• Vermette’s goal was his 16th career point against Vancouver in 20 career games.

• Mike Smith was pulled before the third period after taking two hard hits in the second period.

Up Next:

The Coyotes will enjoy a weekend without a game. They take on the Detroit Red Wings on Monday at 7 p.m. in Glendale.

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