Coyotes’ Barrett Hayton lights the lamp with dazzling puck-handling display

The Arizona Coyotes fell to the Winnipeg Jets 5-3 at Gila River Arena in Glendale on Sunday afternoon.

However, the home crowd was still treated to one of the best goals of the year by Barrett Hayton to tie the matinee at 2-2 in the first period.

he's soaring, flying. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/tJNujnMmTx

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) February 27, 2022

“I felt tonight (Nick) Ritchie and Loui (Eriksson) were both great, they managed the puck really well,” Hayton told reporters postgame. “I felt we supported each other really well. I thought we were pretty cohesive for being our second game together.

“Ritchie opens up the ice a lot obviously. He’s a big player and you see him in corners. There were a couple times we were outnumbered 3-on-2 and he’s really able to open it up and take on two guys.”

Hayton, a 2018 first-round draft pick, is young enough to be considered as part of a youthful core of Coyotes that are in line to add three first-round selections and five second-round picks at the end of the season.

He ranked 15th on the team in points coming into the game with eight but was No. 12 in points per game, having appeared in a career-high 30 games this season.

FIRST TIME POINTS

Newly acquired forward Nick Ritchie got on the board with his first goal as a Coyote to give the team its first lead in the game.

First goal with the #Yotes for Nick Ritchie. pic.twitter.com/dypurKTdur

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) February 27, 2022

Ritchie also assisted Hayton on his goal, giving the newest Coyote his first two points in Arizona.

“He’s a big dude. He’s heavy on his battle, always going at the net,” head coach Andre Tourigny told reporters postgame. “Don’t forget Loui Eriksson, he’s playing really well. He’s making really good plays with the puck. He’s a good compliment to those guys. They were our best line today.”

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