|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) -- The hard-charging Phoenix Coyotes are
closing the gap in the Pacific Division.
Landon Wilson had two goals as the Coyotes scored four times in
the first 15 minutes and then hung on for a 4-2 win Tuesday night
over the Calgary Flames.
It was the fifth straight win for the Coyotes, who moved within
one point of San Jose and three points of the first-place Dallas
Stars.
"This five-game stretch is the best we've played all year,"
said Sean Burke, who made 24 saves. "I haven't been quite as sharp
as I'd like to have been the last couple games but the nice thing
about team sports is when your team plays well and picks you up."
After a 13 game goal-less drought, Wilson scored for the second
time in as many games when he gave Phoenix a 2-0 lead two minutes
in. He scored again at 14:43 to make it 4-1.
"Anytime I can throw the puck at the net and it goes in I'll
take it," said Wilson, who scored both of his goals on similar
long shots from along the boards.
Wilson has 11 goals this season after entering with 14 career
goals over parts of five seasons.
Teppo Numminen also scored for Phoenix and Jeremy Roenick picked
up two assists to give him nine points (one goal, eight assists) in
four games.
"We had too many giveaways in our own zone and they capitalized
on them," forward Cory Stillman said. "Wilson had two goals that
went top shelf, but both of those goals can be eliminated if we
play well along the boards and chip the puck out."
Phoenix is unbeaten in 14 games (10-0-4) against the Flames
dating to Oct. 20, 1997. The Coyotes are 5-0-2 in their last seven
trips to the Saddledome.
Phil Housley and Valeri Bure scored for Calgary.
"That was as smart of a game that I've seen us play in quite a
while," Phoenix coach Bob Francis said. "We were in control in
all three zones -- we generated opportunities off of the forecheck
scoring all four of our goals that way. We clogged up the neutral
zone taking away the middle, and we eliminated any opportunities
against."
The Flames outshot the Coyotes 11-5 in the second period but,
other than Bure's goal at 11:04, couldn't solve Sean Burke.
Burke, the NHL's leader in save percentage (.931), was at his
best when Calgary threatened to pull within a goal on a power-play
late in the second.
On what would turn out to be the lone man-advantage for either
team in the game, Burke made a couple of acrobatic stops during a
frenzy around the Phoenix net, which began with a big save off a
Derek Morris slap shot.
Mike Vernon didn't have such a good night and was pulled in the
first period in favor of Fred Brathwaite. Vernon stopped just six
of 10 shots.
"We know how important that first goal is and we've got to do
our best not to let that happen," forward Jarome Iginla said.
"Tonight's start simply wasn't good enough."
Brathwaite turned in a solid performance, stopping all 16 shots
he faced over the final 45 minutes.
The game got off to an all too familiar start for Calgary as
they fell behind on the first shot of the game. Just 30 seconds in,
Numminen moved into the high slot and snapped Keith Tkachuk's pass
past Vernon.
Phoenix also scored on its second shot as Wilson's
harmless-looking wrist shot from a bad angle along the boards
eluded Vernon.
Game notes
Daniel Briere was held without a point ending a six-game
goal scoring streak for the Coyotes center. ... Phoenix improved to
7-1-4 against teams from the Northwest Division. ... The Flames
dropped to 1-16-5-2 when giving up the first goal. ... When the
Flames score first they are 15-3-4-2.
|
|
ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Phoenix Clubhouse
Calgary Clubhouse
RECAPS
Columbus 2
Buffalo 1
St. Louis 5
Montreal 2
Ottawa 3
NY Islanders 2
Washington 5
Tampa Bay 2
Nashville 4
Atlanta 3
Phoenix 4
Calgary 2
AUDIO/VIDEO
 The Coyotes' Landon Wilson throws the puck towards the net and beats Mike Vernon.
avi: 516 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
The Flames' Valeri Bure squeaks one past goalie Sean Burke.
avi: 534 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Valeri Bure Official Site
|
