Arizona Coyotes fall 3-1 to Minnesota Wild; extend losing streak to 7
A tough first period undermined what was otherwise a better effort from the Arizona Coyotes.
The Minnesota Wild tallied nearly half of its 43 total shots in the first period, making it harder on the Coyotes to find their offense. Even with a late goal from Logan Cooley in the third, the Coyotes saw their losing streak extend to seven games in Wednesday's 3-1 loss at Mullett Arena.
"We played our best hockey in the second half and had a lot of possession," head coach André Tourigny said. "I would have loved for us to put more pucks at the net, but I think we were trying for the perfect play, which did not happen. I would have loved to generate more broken play, more scrappy goals."
Monday's trip back after the 5-3 loss in Philadelphia stretched into the early hours of Tuesday, may have resulted in sluggish play. The Coyotes are in the midst of one of the rougher patches of the season and have gone 0-6-1 in their last six games, while being outscored 31-16.
Wild dominate early
The Coyotes pressured the Wild in the first shift and were set up to sustain that pressure with two early power plays, but the 20 shots given up in the first period buried the Coyotes.
Defenseman JJ Moser’s high-sticking call against Marcus Johansson at 13:09 hindered the better start from the Coyotes as it gave the opportunistic Wild time to regroup and attack. Minnesota's Matt Boldy stuck around the net and Joel Eriksson eventually chipped in Boldy’s shot for a power play goal. It was the sixth power play goal given up in the last seven games.
After only putting up seven shots in the first, the Coyotes starting getting quality chances in the second period. Nick Schmaltz’s long-range shot that was screened by Barrett Hayton made it past Marc-Andre Fleury, but was ruled as goaltender interference after a challenge.
"That was the kind of goal we had to score tonight that would have won that game and unfortunately, it never came," Tourigny said.
Fleury’s heroics at the net came back in the final minute when he made a sprawling save on Lawson Crouse.
Ingram out, Vejmelka in
Connor Ingram saw 30 shots in the first two periods and gave up two goals, but handled the immense pressure in the first. Ingram turned away 15 consecutive shots in the final 12 minutes, including an opportunity from Jonas Brodin up the slot.
He kept the Coyotes in the second and surrendered a late goal to Brodin off a pass alongside the boards from Connor Dewar.
Karel Vejmelka came in net at the start of the third after Ingram sustained an injury during. Tourigny said that Ingram will be out “about 7-10 days.”
In relief, Vejmelka made 12 saves on 13 shots, including three on the penalty kill.
Settling down
Things started to settle down for the Coyotes in the third period, especially with a power play to start. The early effort in the Wild's zone allowed the offense to test Fleury, eventually giving way for Cooley to gain time and space.
The Coyotes came within one goal when Cooley's speed beat Frederick Gaudreau and Brock Faber to the net at 5:41, but that was not enough.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Coyotes lose 3-1 to Minnesota Wild
