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The 'Yotes played three games this week, continuing their 3 game road trip in Dallas and then ending it in Nashville. Phoenix had solid outings on both games, going 2-1 on the road trip. Coming back home, they saw action against the Winnipeg Jets in a high spirited game. It seems as if consecutive goals are a trend for this Phoenix team, as they have been able to string together goals one after the other in each game this season.
Here is a break down and a quick analysis of each game this past week.
October 10 2011: Dallas (0-2-0) vs Phoenix (1-0-0)
Going up against a gritty Dallas team that has allowed 10 goals in their first 2 games of the season. They came hungry early, scoring 2 quick goals before adding another one to round out the first period in a dominant Dallas period. However Phoenix’s third line gave the team the spark they needed, mostly in part by Mikkel Boedker who is looking to prove he is a top 6 forward. He stripped the puck away from a vulnerable Stephane Robidas in the corner and proceeded to back hand the puck past Lehtonen to start off a brilliant shift by the third line that saw them finish with 2 goals to cut the deficit to 1 in only one shift. However Benn scored with 30 seconds left in the period to pretty much seal the win for the Stars in this 4-3 loss. Mike Smith had a rocky start allowing 3 goals on only 6 shots, which led to Dave Tippet (Phoenix head coach) considering the option of yanking Smith and putting in LaBarbera, however he decided to trust his tender who had a brilliant performance 2 days prior in San Jose.
The Game’s Grab Bag:
- The Third Line of Mikkel Boedker, Cal O’Reilly, and Taylor Pyatt wins Line of the Night honors and has really been clicking in the past couple games. They’ve shown that they are able to spark the team when Phoenix’s top lines are catching a breather.
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October 13 2011 Nashville (2-0-0) vs Phoenix (1-1-0)
Rounding up the 3 game road trip, Phoenix will end their road trip in Nashville. It was a tough first period, as Nashville put up 2 goals forcing Phoenix to have to come back in yet another game if they wanted to collect the 2 points. Daymond Langkow had a game to remember as he posted a 3 points including a hat trick which lifted the Coyotes to a dominant 5-2 win. Phoenix had yet another slow start, and Mike Smith was anything but spectacular in the first period. However Tippet was able to rally the troops during intermission and Phoenix came storming out with 4 unanswered goals to take the lead and later, secure the win.
The Game’s Grab Bag:
- Daymond Langkow put on quite the performance with 3 goals and 1 assist. Ray Whitney tallied on a goal and 3 helpers making the second line the Line of the Night in the win against Nashville.
- Mike Smith continues to have poor first period outings, yet collects himself and shuts the door for the rest of the game.
- The faceoff circle has not been kind to Phoenix, Martin Hanzal and Daymond Langkow need to find a way to start winning some faceoffs or Tippet might need to find some replacements on those lines.
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October 15 2011 Winnipeg (1-1-0) vs Phoenix (2-1-0)
Phoenix is finally back at home playing their home opener against the storied franchise, the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets heavy on the back end this year with Enstrom and Byfuglien leading the defensive core, however they are pretty light on the offensive side of things and will be looking to young gun Evander Kane to lead the way. Phoenix came out strong in the opener and really played their hearts out for the fans in Glendale. They came out big with 2 scores in the 2nd period from fan favorite Ray Whitney and Radim Vrbata. After that the Yotes never looked back holding onto the lead and securing the win.
The Game’s Grab Bag:
- The second line was again the Line of the Night, as they totaled 5 points on the night.
- Honourable mentions to the 4th line of Raffi Torres, Kyle Chipchura, and Boyd Gordon who were able to play big time minutes against the Jets’ top lines.
- Mike Smith wasn’t tested all too much in the game, however he was good enough to snag his 3rd win on the season. Look for Tippet to slot in LaBarbera in an upcoming game to give Smith a rest.
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