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Stars top Coyotes on PP goal in final seconds

Mar 2, 2011 - 6:58 AM Glendale, AZ (Sports Network) - Jamie Benn scored a power-play goal with 4.8 seconds left in regulation, lifting the Dallas Stars to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes.

The game appeared to be headed for overtime after Phoenix erased a 2-0 deficit in the third period on goals by newcomer Rostislav Klesla and Ray Whitney, the latter coming with 37.7 seconds remaining and the goaltender pulled.

But Phoenix forward Radim Vrbata went off for hooking with 13 seconds to play. During the ensuing power play, Mike Ribeiro dug the puck out of the left corner to Loui Eriksson and Eriksson dished to Benn, who beat Ilya Bryzgalov on the glove side.

"Give credit to (Phoenix) for battling to the end there, but that was such a huge play by Benn with barely any time left to get the win for us," said Stars forward Jamie Langenbrunner.

Kari Lehtonen made 25 saves for Dallas, which has won three straight after losing nine of its previous 10 games.

Bryzgalov stopped 27 shots for the Coyotes, who have dropped four in a row following an eight-game win streak.

Dallas grabbed a 2-0 lead when Steve Ott's bid from the bottom of the left circle deflected in off Langenbrunner at the 12:47 mark of the third period.

Klesla, who was acquired from Columbus prior to Monday's trade deadline, moved in from his point position and tapped in a feed from Kyle Turris to put Phoenix on the board with 3:39 left.

The Coyotes pulled even when Whitney positioned himself between the circles and one-timed Shane Doan's pass behind Lehtonen.

"We have to play better down the stretch -- we cannot afford to play the way we did tonight," said Doan.

Dallas' Tom Wandell opened the scoring with 1:44 remaining in the first period.

Game Notes

The Stars improved to 18-0-2 when leading after two periods...Phoenix had won five straight at home.