The Arizona Coyotes were unable to find the win column once again and were defeated by the New York Islanders, 5-1. In what started out as a promising game, it was an abysmal third period the drove the Coyotes to their seventh straight loss.
The pace that began in the first period of the hockey game would last throughout the rest of the contest. Both New York and Arizona contributed to a high-tempo and physical play. In the scoreless period, the Islanders were credited with 26 hits while the Coyotes blocked 14 shots.
Within a minute into the second period, the scoreless tie became a thing of the past. The Islanders were able to take a 1-0 advantage whenTravis Hamonicdrove to the net and dished the puck to rookieAnders Lee, whose point-blank backhanded shot beat goaltenderMike Smith. Lee’s 20th goal of the season is tied for 1st among NHL rookies.
Feb 24, 2015; Uniondale, NY, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Mark Arcobello (36) high fives the bench after scoring during the second period against the New York Islanders at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
The Coyotes acquired some much needed momentum that propelled them to tie the game back at 1-1 after a penalty kill midway through the period. With less than five minutes remaining in the second period,Mark Arcobellosniped a shot past goaltenderChad Johnsonfor his 12th goal of the season and 4th goal in 6 games as a Coyote.
The third period began with the New York Islanders taking command of the contest within the first ten minutes. In what seemed to be a broken play, the rebounded puck fell on the stick ofMatt Martin, who fired home his 8th goal of the season. Less than a minute later, New York’s passing and lack of defensive coverage on Arizona’s part, leftJohnny Boychukto slap a shot for an Islanders 3-1 advantage.
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The wheels continued to fall off the tracks when a wide openKael Mouillieratscored his first ever NHL goal to give the Islanders a 4-1 lead. A couple minutes after the fourth goal,Brock Nelsonwas able to smack one past Smith, giving New York 4 goals within the first 10 minutes of the third period. The rest of the game cruised on by and it mercifully ended a 5-1.
Arizona (20-34-7) will continue their Northeastern on Thursday when they head to Madison Square Garden to take on the Rangers. The Islanders (40-20-2) will continue their home stand on Friday when they take on Calgary.
Goals:
Arizona Coyotes
- Mark Arcobello (12th)
New York Islanders
- Anders Lee (20th)
- Matt Martin (8th)
- Johnny Boychuk (7th)
- Kael Mouillierat (1st)
- Brock Nelson (17th)
Three Stars:
- Brock Nelson
- Kael Mouillierat
- Chad Johnson
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