Islanders Beat Coyotes 3-2
For the first 30 minutes, the Coyotes came out and took over the ailing Islanders. They controlled the puck, initiated the forecheck, but could not find their scoring touch. Islanders tough guy Rick DiPietro was the difference.
When Bill Guerin scored on a garbage goal, then the momentum went the other way and stayed there.
The Coyotes had their chances, and that was the disappointment, but going 0-4 on the power play will not win many hockey games. In fact, they had some quality five-on-five chances as well to put the Islanders down. However, thanks to some lucky post shots, bad ice, and some good saves by the Islanders’ netminder/pugilist, the Coyotes could not take the momentum back.
When Boytnon scored shorthanded on the Carcillo penalty, it was a prime moment for the Coyotes to regain their earlier form but it did not happen. Guerin found himself three minutes later to score his second tally of the night.
How has Guerin been prior to the Coyotes’ arrival? He only has scored one goal in his last eighteen games. Yep, normally he scores more.
The Islanders have been at the bottom of the league for goals scored. Tonight, they put three away against Bryzgalov, and I only think maybe one of those three could be pinned on him.
The Coyotes do not want to burn up this goalie so they need to score – it’s that simple. The rookies have 17 goals between them, which is second in the league.
The other issue I had was the nonsense at the end of the game. I guess DiPietro can throw punches and cause problems at the other end of the ice? Plus, the Islanders can go three-on-one against Jovanovski and leave Hanzal to fend off Brendan Witt? Hanzal stayed put, and I commend him for it, but it was clear that Hanzal was out of his element. He tried his best to be there for his team. Funny that Witt actually thought he’d spar with him. It takes chops to intimidate a rookie. As far as the goalie, well, anyone can be tough in the layers of equipment that they wear.
The question remains though for the Coyotes as to what team they want to be. The Coyotes have shown us that they have the means to make it difficult for the other teams to play against them. Now, they have to really bring it against three of the top six teams in the Eastern Conference.
Here are the recaps from the AP and the Arizona Republic.
Oh man. What the hell did Doan, Hanzal and Jovanovski do at 59:57?
59:57:
DOAN 2min for Slashing
DOAN 2 min for Unsportsmanlike conduct
DOAN 10 min for Game misconduct
HANZAL 2 min for Roughing
JOVANOVSKI 2 min for Roughing
WITT 2 min for Roughing
DIPIETRO 2 min for Roughing
I would die to see some videos about this event?
Trust me on this…that tally is pure and complete codswallop!
Hanzal especially never did a damn thing to anybody. Jovo got pinned by 3 Isles behind the net (including DP!) they did everything but kick the guy back there.
And the sad thing is…it was all started by the refs lettin DP hold the puck for too long…it was prolonged by the refs not keepin DP in his net and by not grabbin any of the multiple Isles parties and pullin them outta the scrums.
It was pathetic…as are the penalties tallied.
Just a frustrating loss…
I agree that it appeared to be too one-sided with the penalty calls, especially in the final seconds of the game.
Hopefully the Desert Dawgs can bounce back and get a win tomorrow in New Jersey,
Hi Juuso -
Unfortunately, I don’t have the video at this time. Sorry…it wasn’t much to see with the action as the footage kept bouncing back and forth between Doan and the other players.
I do know that the penalties are very much out of whack. Witt and DiPietro should have received more.
Hi Z -
If I were a Coyote, and if I were playing tomorrow, I take the “I’m mad as hell and I’m not taking it anymore attitude.”
It is them vs. refs vs. teams.
The Coyotes must do it on their own. They won’t get any help from anyone.
Hi Paul -
A win would work very nicely and salvage the bitter taste of a game against the Isles.
New Jersey, as with any other team in the NHL, can be beaten.