Phil Kessel leaves Coyotes’ game in Detroit after 1st shift for birth of child
Mar 8, 2022, 6:14 PM
Phil Kessel #81 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during the third period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on December 15, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rangers defeated the Coyotes 3-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Arizona Coyotes forward laced up the skates Tuesday night in Detroit against the Red Wings but would skate all but one shift.
After a brief stint on the ice, Kessel departed the game. The forward left the game to head back to Arizona for the birth of his child, the team announced on Twitter.
Kessel is in the middle of a consecutive games played streak that reached 956 on Tuesday, the second longest active-streak in the NHL. Former Coyotes and current Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Keith Yandle broke the NHL’s record for consecutive games played on Jan. 24 reaching 964.
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With the Kessel’s expecting soon, it’s safe to say the Coyotes were prepared to help keep Kessel’s active streak going.
Owner Alex Meruelo set a charter flight up for Kessel to return to Phoenix after his quick skate in Detroit, per PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan.
Kessel played for 30 seconds Tuesday night against the Red Wings and left the ice to fist-bumps from his teammates.
After playing a shift, Phil Kessel will not return to the game in Detroit as he heads back to Arizona for the birth of his child. 😀 pic.twitter.com/kmxtR1g6G9
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 9, 2022
The Coyotes lead the Red Wings 3-1 after the first period in Detroit.
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