Western Conference Quarterfinal, Game 6(4) Phoenix 5, (5) Detroit 2 - Series tied 3-3
Entering Sunday's Game 6, it seemed that the Phoenix Coyotes’ luck was running out. Not only did the fourth seed in the West trail its first-round playoff series 3-2, it was also faced with a do-or-die game in the intimidating Joe Louis Arena atmosphere. When the Detroit Red Wings have this kind of opportunity, the conquered foe usually disappears meekly into the offseason. That’s why they’ve been one of the winningest franchises in sports over the past 15 years. Maybe home ice matters, maybe it doesn’t. Mystique probably isn't good for much once the puck drops. So let’s get to the tangibles: there’s no doubting the importance of goaltending and special teams in the postseason. And Detroit was trending upward heading into Sunday afternoon's showdown. Not only was goaltender Jimmy Howard coming off a spectacular Game 5, but three power plays in the first 4:42 of Game 6 gave the Wings a chance to land a quick haymaker and roll to round two.
Instead, the Coyotes took control early in the game. Phoenix goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 14 shots in the first period, and the Coyotes emerged from the early zebra show with a 1-0 lead thanks to a shorthanded goal by Lauri Korpokoski, scored off an ugly and uncharacteristic neutral-zone turnover by Detroit. Despite the three power plays, it was Phoenix that emerged with a lead. It was a bad sign for the Winged Wheel. Phoenix scored another decisive win in the special teams battle on its first power play of the game early in the second period, when Mathieu Schneider fired a shot from the point that beat Howard to give the Coyotes a 2-0 lead. Brad Stuart answered for the Wings, but the Phoenix power play scored its second goal of the game when Radim Vrbata scored to put the Coyotes ahead 3-1 at 10:09 of the middle period.
A two-goal deficit is big trouble against a goalie as hot as Bryzgalov was on Sunday. When Wojtek Wolski tipped a Petr Prucha shot past Howard at 14:01 of the second, it was all but over for the Red Wings, who then trailed by a 4-1 score. Just to add a parting blow, the Coyotes scored their third power-play goal of the game on Taylor Pyatt's tip-in early in the third period. Forget home-ice advantage. Mystique is for sportswriters. Even in a series full of odd twists and unexpected turns, and even in games full of fierce battles, shift after shift, the winning formula is simple. It's all about goaltending and special teams. Chances are, Tuesday night's Game 7 in Glendale, Arizona, will be no different.
By: James Lambert |
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