Coyotes Fall in Season Finale
The season ended similar to how it began, a loss for the Arizona Coyotes. The 2-1 defeat to the Anaheim Ducks ended a long season. The team finished the season record of 24-50-8, 29th in the NHL.
The Ducks opened the scoring with a first period goal by Ryan Getzlaf, his 25th goal of the season, assisted by Tomas Fleischmann and Corey Perry. The Coyotes battled, but late in the second period Jakob Silfverberg put the Ducks up 2-0, assisted by Andrew Cogliano and Ryan Getzlaf.
As the clock wound down on the 2014-2015 season, the Coyotes scored a late third period goal to get within one goal of the Ducks. Sam Gagner’s 15th goal of the year put a smile on fans faces. A power play in the last 15 seconds was not enough for the Coyotes, but the game was more than just a loss.
It was Pack Pride Night, a night to recognize the great fans of the Coyotes. On twitter I saw people from other states and, even, other countries attending this game. This was the fans night, which included the national anthem sung by the fans, prizes given out during the game, and game worn jerseys at the conclusion of the game.
The most memorable moment for the night was not within the 60 minutes of the game, but happened prior to puck drop. The Arizona Coyotes brought a couple, who’s son was in the US Military, in to do the ceremonial puck drop. Before Ryan Getzlaf and Shane Doan could make it to center ice, Army Sgt. Daniel Urman came out of the tunnel, to the surprise of his parents. Urman’s dad, overcome with excitement, tackled him to the ice. That is what Coyotes Hockey is all about, not winning a game but making a difference in people’s lives.
The game may have ended in a loss but fans were treated to a great night at Gila River Arena.
Fox Sports Arizona’s Todd Walsh put it best, “You never want to wish good riddens on the season, because you never know when you will have another. But this season extraordinarily difficult, but it was still hockey, the best people in all sports. It really was the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, but we enjoyed every single moment of it.”
Three Stars of the Night:
1st Star- Mike Smith
2nd Star- Oliver Ekman-Larsson
3rd Star- Ryan Getzlaf
The countdown has begun:
Saturday, April 18th– 2015 NHL Draft Lottery
June 26th-27th– 2015 NHL Entry Draft
Early September- Coyotes Training Camp