Turnovers once again derail Coyotes in loss

Turnovers once again proved costly for the Phoenix Coyotes, who
suffered a 5-2 drubbing at the hands of the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets
Saturday at Jobing.com Arena.

“We’re not good enough,” Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett said. “The
emotional engagement that we can bring in for short minutes, why can’t we
have that the whole time? That’s puzzling our group right now.”

After committing similar mental errors in Thursday’s loss to Calgary, the
Coyotes broke down again on defense allowing Rick Nash two breakaway
scoring opportunities — and the talented forward didn’t miss.

Nash, who’s wish to be traded was denied by the Blue Jackets, scored two
goals while also registering an assist in the contest.

After trailing 2-0 into the second period, the Coyotes showed some brief
signs of life when Chris Summers’ fight seemed to rally his teammates.

Tippett wasn’t necessarily pleased with the fighting but instead the physical
presence Summers and Shane Doan exuded beforehand.

“I like the fact that Doan went out and finished a check, Summers went out
and finished a check, that was the only time you could really see our group
engage in what we were trying to do out there,” Tippett explained.

The Coyotes eventually tied the game 2-2 after two periods of play before
stumbling in the third period.

Coach Dave Tippett acknowledged his team lost critical battles along the
boards, couldn’t generate scoring chances and failed to respond after the
Blue Jackets took the lead in the third.

“They got the third goal and that’s a lucky break about three bounces
going in,” Tippett stated. “You think we’d turn it around and push a little
bit. That’s the way it’s going for us right now.”

For the Coyotes, who have two crucial upcoming road games, it’s
imperative they regain their focus and tighten up their play.

“It’s two games; we recognize that we don’t have two games to give away,”
captain Shane Doan said. “At the same time we have to go back to what
was making us successful for the previous 11 [games].”

The Coyotes spent too much time in the neutral zone and weren’t on the
right side of pucks.

While Saturday’s loss surely stings, the Coyotes know it’s best to have a
short memory and shift their focus back to what made them click in
February.

“I think it’s just that we don’t have enough puck time,” forward Lauri
Korpikoski said. “We created a lot of goals from momentum but we
couldn’t gain one today.”

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