Posts Tagged ‘Phoenix Coyotes’

Streaks Always End – Blackhawks 2, Coyotes 0

March 23rd, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Save of the night

The Coyotes’ story this season is a good one. They filed for bankruptcy less then a year ago, and going into tonight’s game the Coyotes were tied with the Blackhawks atop the Western Conference standing. Dave Tippet has done a great job with the team he inherited, and has already won the Jack Adams Award in the eyes of many. The roster is riddled with other teams’ castoffs. No one would have predicted anything close to this sort of success from Phoenix this season. One could say the organization has risen from the ashes.

Now that all that good stuff is out of the way, it was great to watch the Blackhawks shutout the Coyotes 2-0, end their nine-game win streak and take sole possession of first place in the West. Coach Quenneville emphasized defense leading into this game, and it clearly paid off. It was apparent that the boys were playing tighter on their opponent in the defensive zone. Antti Niemi stepped up his game as well. He saved all twenty-eight shots on goal on his way to a sixth shutout. Niemi made some less then routine stops throughout the night to keep the Blackhawks on top. The goaltending job is his to lose at this point.

On the other end of the ice the Blackhawks played a solid game as well. They could only muster two goals against Ilya Bryzgalov in the second period, but that was all they needed (and then some) to come out of this game with two points. Patrick Kane scored the first off a neutral zone turnover. He went top shelf with a wrist shot to beat the Coyote netminder. Marian Hossa scored the second after Dave Bolland’s takeaway behind the net moments earlier. That second line has been playing well of late.

Anyways, it was great to see Brent Seabrook back in action. He missed only two games after getting his bell rung by former good buddy James Wisniewski. Sitting out for two games probably did Seabrook some good. He was a revolving door on defense coming down the stretch. Seabrook logged 22:41 of ice time. I was a little surprised to see Quenneville go with Dustin Byfuglien on the blue line again, but he played another decent game. I hope this trend doesn’t continue when Kim Johnsson returns.

Next up, the Blackhawks will be in Columbus for a game Thursday night.

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Posted in 2009-10 Game Reviews | 4 Comments »

Blackhawks 4, Coyotes 5 (SO)

March 21st, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Vrbata beat Niemi during the shootout

It’s late, and I didn’t feel much like writing a game review till now. I’m a little down after the outcome of a few sporting events that took place on Saturday. Really, all you need to know to understand my mood is that I graduated from University of Kansas. So, when the Blackhawks were unable to put the Coyotes away last night, my already dark mood deepened. Obviously, the girlfriend didn’t understand why I was down in the dumps.

Anyway, the defense was suspect. Antti Niemi was good enough in net. Made some key saves throughout regulation, overtime and the shootout. A team that is the caliber of the Blackhawks should be able to put the Coyotes away, but the fact that they came back both times they were down by two goals says a lot about this Phoenix squad. Patrick Kane – who had two goals on the evening – almost won the game in overtime if it wasn’t for Ilya Bryzgalov’s stick save (well, the knob). Radim Vrbata scored the lone shootout goal to give the home team a 5-4 (SO) victory.

The team made up of ex-Blackhawks and other team’s castaways has become a force in the West. They have won eight games in a row, and sit one point behind the slumping San Jose Sharks (before their game in Dallas).

Next up, the Blackhawks will face the Coyotes again on Tuesday, but this time at the friendly confines of the United Center.

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Posted in 2009-10 Game Reviews | 1 Comment »

Blackhawks 1, Coyotes 2 (SO); Blues Tonight

February 6th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

The only bright spot for the ‘Hawks last night was Colin Fraser’s goal in the first period of a rebound. Cristobal Huet had a good game, and the defense was better then it had been over the last few games. It was a few ex-Blackhawks that spoiled this one in front of the United Center crowd. Radim Vrbata was credited with the Coyotes first goal in the second period to tie it up at 1-1. I was out of my seat on a beer run, so I missed it.

The Coyotes were able to hold the game at one a piece, and take the game to a shootout. Robert Lang scored first, and Jonathan countered with a goal of his own. Defenseman Adrian Aucoin scored the game winning shootout goal in the third round. Phoenix was able to extend their winning streak to six, and the Blackhawks were able to come away with one point. Yay?

Tonight the Blackhawks will travel to St. Louis for the second of back-to-back games. Antti Niemi should get the start tonight. Coach Quenneville will need to figure out some more effective line combinations, and quit juggling them around throughout the game. I give him credit for trying, but there seems to be no chemistry between players when he does that. Anyway, here’s to hoping that tonight ends better then last night.

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Phoenix Tonight, Colorado Tomorrow

November 5th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

There wasn’t any good news in Phoenix this afternoon. Jonathan Toews and Ben Eager will not play tonight against the Coyotes – both did skate at practice, however. It will be Toews’ fifth consecutive game missed, and Eager’s twelfth. Tomorrow we could be see one or both of them return to the lineup.

It is not the ideal way to head into back-to-back games against two teams that have seen early success due to their solid goaltending. Having to suit up a defenseman, Jordan Hendry, in place of Toews and/or Eager may have worked against weaker opponents, but a front end as thin as the Blackhawks currently are means that points will be hard to come by against two of the better teams in the West.

Anyway, I’ll be heading out of town this weekend, so this entry will constitute as preview for the next two games.

After five days off, some Blackhawks got much needed rest – Duncan Keith (a lot minutes lately), Dave Bolland (lower-back) and Patrick Kane (trying to do everything himself). Hopefully the time away from games won’t disrupt the momentum Cristobal Huet gained in his last four starts – he is down to an impressive 2.29 goals-against-average.

Coach Quenneville must have addressed the horrid power play during the layoff, but somehow the utterly useless Tomas Kopecky is seeing time during power play drills in practice. Can someone tell me why Kopecky is used in the role over Bolland? We’ll see if this means he is used on the unit during the game.

I might have been in the minority in this regard, but I thought that Phoenix was a better team last season then their record indicated. A new coach, the addition of some veterans and Ilya Bryzgalov’s return to form are all part of the Coyotes good start. They will need more offense if the team hopes to remain the playoff picture.

The Avalanche have placed a lot of faith in a young core of players anchored by Paul Stastny. Colorado also gave up on Peter Budaj and handed over the reins to ex-Blackhawk and journeyman, Craig Anderson. Third overall pick of the 2009 draft, Matt Duchene, is also part of the resurgence the team is experiencing.

Points will be tough to come by against these two teams in back-to-back games with Toews on the shelf. The Blackhawks will need to shake off the rust.

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