Late no-call sinks Arizona Coyotes’ hopes in Nashville

Jan 19, 2018, 7:48 AM | Updated: 8:08 am

Arizona Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet, center, argues a call during the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won in a shootout, 3-2. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

BY VINCE MAROTTA

Arizona Sports

Regulation wins have been hard to come by this season for the Arizona Coyotes.

In fact, the struggling Coyotes have only four 60-minute wins this season, by far the lowest total in the NHL.

It looked like they might be on the way to a fifth Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators — defending Western Conference champions and owners of the third-best record in the entire league.

But, as has been the case in this frustrating campaign, it wasn’t to be.

Arizona led 2-1 with just 2:36 to go in the third period. Nashville tied the game on a one-timer from inside the blue line from Ryan Ellis. However, Predators center Nick Bonino appeared to interfere with (more to the point — whack) Coyotes goal Antti Raanta as the puck was in flight.

Goaltender Interference? #ARIvsNSH pic.twitter.com/EbctzbRxHl

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) January 19, 2018

Head coach Rick Tocchet pleaded his case to the officials, who looked at the video and after a lengthy delay, ruled there was no interference on the play. The goal counted and the game would go to overtime and a shootout, where the Predators would win, 3-2, on a clinching score by Craig Smith.

“If that’s not interference, I don’t know what is,” Coyotes analyst Tyson Nash said during the telecast on Fox Sports Arizona.

Tocchet agreed with Nash in his postgame media availablity.

“I thought the stick hit (Raanta) before the goal, but I guess they didn’t think it was enough to overturn it,” he said, before turning a bit diplomatic. “They’re good refs, it could have gone either way.”

Raanta wasn’t sure whether or not Bonino’s stick distracted him in any way, instead pointing out the bodies shielding his view in front of the net.

“I don’t know, there was so much going on in front of me, so I was just trying to see the puck,” he said. “But I couldn’t see it and it went in.”

The Coyotes have now lost three shootouts in their last five games and are 1-4 in such contests this year — only the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators have more.

Arizona continues its road trip Saturday night in St. Louis against the Blues. The game can be heard on ESPN 620 AM, with Bob Heethuis and Paul Bissonnette on the call. Face-off is at 6 p.m.

Follow @Vincemarotta

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23), of Sweden, scores a goal past Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, and defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14), of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Watching the play is Coyotes right wing Richard Panik (14), of Slovakia. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta (32), of Finland, blocks a shot as Nashville Predators left wing Kevin Fiala (22), of Switzerland, watches for a rebound durign the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Also defending is Jason Demers (55). (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes left wing Brendan Perlini (11) and Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban chase the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators defenseman Matt Irwin, right, celebrates with right wing Craig Smith (15) after Smith scored the winning goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the shootout in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 3-2. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14), of Sweden, celebrates with right wing Craig Smith (15) after Smith scored the winning goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the shootout in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 3-2. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, blocks a shot by the Arizona Coyotes during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators left wing Scott Hartnell (17) scores a goal against Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta (32), of Finland, and defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4), of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators right wing Craig Smith (15) is defended by Arizona Coyotes' Max Domi (16) in overtime of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won in a shootout, 3-2. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet, center, argues a call during the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won in a shootout, 3-2. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators left wing Scott Hartnell (17) scores against Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta (32), of Finland, and defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4), of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators left wing Scott Hartnell (17) scores a goal past Arizona Coyotes defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4), of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators left wing Scott Hartnell celebrates after scoring a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators right wing Craig Smith (15) scores the winning goal past Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta during the shootout in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 3-2. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators right wing Craig Smith, bottom celebrates the winning goal past Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta (32), of Finland, in the shootout of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 3-2. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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