Arizona Coyotes Drop NHL Leading Anaheim Ducks

The Arizona Coyotes defeated the Anaheim Ducks in a shootout Saturday night 2-1. Arizona played a solid game against the top team in the NHL. Devan Dubnyk especially stood out for his stellar play, as he stopped 36 out of 37 shots and all four shootout attempts.

The first half of the period was rather uneventful. Both teams were trying to get their game going. Midway through the period, Anaheim struck first when Rene Bourque found himself wide open in front of Dubnyk and he buried the puck in the net giving the Ducks a 1-0 lead.

Arizona would almost immediately answer back though. Zybnek Michalek scored a rare goal only 1:13 later to tie the game right back up. That was all the scoring for the period.

Arizona was actually the better team in the second period. Anaheim started the period off by bring pressure, but the Coyotes were able to put a stop to it. Arizona had a good offensive game going in the second, they had a few quality scoring chances, but couldn’t score.

Mikkel Boedker was absolutely robbed by Anaheim goaltender Frederik Andersen on a point blank shot coming off a rebound. The net appeared to be wide open for Boedker, but out of complete desperation, Andersen was able to shoot over and kick the puck away.

The Coyotes’ defense was also very good in the period. They were able to keep the Ducks’ chances to a minimum by keeping the lanes clear for Dubnyk and getting the puck out of the zone without giving up second and third opportunities. The period ended 1-1.

The Ducks stepped up their game in the third period as Arizona was not as in control this period as they were in the second. The two teams were playing at almost even levels as they matched each other shot for shot for a majority of the period.

Anaheim brought an offensive zone flurry late in the game. After being even in shots on goal almost the whole game, Anaheim really pulled away in that category and came very close to winning the game with a late goal. Fortunately for Arizona, the defense and Dubnyk stood their ground and kept Anaheim out of the net and the game would be sent to overtime.

The two teams were even yet again in the overtime period. Both teams came close to scoring but Arizona had the best chance. Antoine Vermette was able to break out and take the puck in on a breakaway, but yet again, Andersen was there to shut the door.

Shootout Results:

• Mikkel Boedker – Stopped
• Dany Heatley – Stopped
• Sam Gagner – Stopped
• Jakob Silfverberg – Stopped
• Antoine Vermette – Stopped
• Ryan Kesler – Stopped
• Shane Doan – Scored
• Ryan Getzlaf – Stopped

Game Notes:

• Dubnyk got the start in net for Arizona, as the revolving goalie door continued for the Coyotes.
• Tonight was Shane Doan’s 99th game against the Ducks.
• Coming into tonight’s game, Anaheim was 12-5-2 on the road this season.
• Coming into tonight’s game, Anaheim was 7-2-4 within the Pacific Division this year.
• A struggling Coyotes’ penalty kill did not allow a power play goal in tonight’s game.

Goals:

Arizona Coyotes

• Zybnek Michalek (1st)

Anaheim Ducks

• Rene Bourque (2nd)

Three Stars:

1. Shane Doan (AZ)
2. Devan Dubnyk (AZ)
3. Zybnek Michalek (AZ)