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

Feb 27, 2022, 3:45 PM | Updated: 6:14 pm

Barrett Hayton of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at Gila River Arena on February 27, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)

(Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)

BY TOM KUEBEL

Arizona Sports

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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Arizona Coyotes right wing Christian Fischer (36) tries to get off a shot against Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie, left, as Jets defenseman Neal Pionk (4) sends Fischer to the ice during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry (17) celebrates his goal against the Arizona Coyotes with Jets defenseman Nathan Beaulieu (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry (17) redirects the puck past Arizona Coyotes goaltender Scott Wedgewood, right, for a goal as Coyotes defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok (92) defends while Coyotes center Alex Galchenyuk (17) and Jets right wing Austin Poganski (22) battle for position during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Winnipeg Jets left wing Evgeny Svechnikov (71) celebrates his goal against the Arizona Coyotes with left wing Kyle Connor (81) as Coyotes center Alex Galchenyuk (17) skates past during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Coyotes goaltender Scott Wedgewood, left, makes a save on a shot by Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) as Coyotes defenseman Dysin Mayo (61) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie gives up a goal to Arizona Coyotes' Jakob Chychrun during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Coyotes left wing Nick Ritchie (12) celebrates his goal against the Winnipeg Jets with defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (14), left wing Loui Eriksson (21), defenseman Dysin Mayo (61) and center Barrett Hayton (29) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Coyotes goaltender Scott Wedgewood, front left, makes a save on a shot by Winnipeg Jets center Paul Stastny (25) as Coyotes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (14) and Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo (2) look on during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok (92) tries to control the puck in front of Winnipeg Jets center Dominic Toninato (21) and Coyotes goaltender Scott Wedgewood (31) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie (1) celebrates a win over the Arizona Coyotes with defenseman Dylan DeMelo (2) and center Jansen Harkins (12) as time expires in the third period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) celebrates his empty net goal against the Arizona Coyotes with Jets left wing Evgeny Svechnikov (71) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. The Jets won 5-3. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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