Final
Sullivan stars as Coyotes whip Jackets
Jan 24, 2013 - 6:55 AM Glendale, AZ (Sports Network) - Steve Sullivan's first hat trick in more than three years paced the Phoenix Coyotes in a 5-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.Sullivan's last 3-goal game occurred in a 5-3 win over the Jackets on Dec. 14, 2009 when he played for the Nashville Predators.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson added two scores and one assist for the Coyotes, who posted their first win in three tries this season.
"We really wanted this game tonight. Obviously starting 0-2 in a shortened season, we knew this was huge for us," Sullivan said.
Jason LaBarbera picked up the win in relief, making 21 saves. Mike Smith got the start, but departed after only 11 minutes and four stops with an undisclosed injury.
Fedor Tyutin scored the lone goal for the Blue Jackets, who had won and lost in shootouts prior to Wednesday's regulation setback.
Steve Mason was blitzed for all five scores on 42 shots in defeat.
"We were terrible. It didn't matter who was in (net). It could have been Patrick Roy," Columbus forward R.J. Umberger admitted. "We just didn't battle in front of (Mason)."
The Coyotes had a prime chance to break open the game with 3:20 played in the third period as Columbus was whistled for simultaneous tripping calls.
Sullivan ripped one home from the high slot for a 3-1 game just over a minute into the 2-man advantage.
Sullivan capped his trifecta with a casual tip-in of a Derek Morris drive from the right point to make it 4-1 with 9:59 remaining.
Ekman-Larsson netted his second of the game with 4:58 left in regulation.
Smith was replaced by LaBarbera with nine minutes to play in the first period, appearing to favor his blocker side after turning away a shot.
Tyutin's blast from the left point provided Columbus with the first score of the game, coming at the 5 1/2 minute mark of the second period.
Sullivan's rebound try from the left side evened the game with 7:27 played, and Phoenix led by a goal after a slapper from Ekman-Larsson found the back of the net almost eight minutes later.
Game Notes
Sullivan improved his career numbers against Columbus to 19 goals and 29 assists in 48 games ... Columbus won three of the four meetings last season, splitting a pair in Arizona ... Ekman-Larsson posted his first career three- point game and registered his first multi-goal effort since Oct. 15, 2011 vs. Winnipeg.
- COLUMBUS: 1
PHOENIX: 5
Final
Jan 24 12:34 AM - Phoenix Goal - Oliver Ekman-Larsson (2), from David Moss and Boyd Gordon at 15:02.
Blue Jackets 1, Coyotes 5 3rd - 4:58Jan 24 12:24 AM - COLUMBUS: 1
PHOENIX: 2
End of 2nd
Jan 23 11:34 PM - Phoenix Goal - Oliver Ekman-Larsson, from Matthew Lombardi and Radim Vrbata at 15:22.
Blue Jackets 1, Coyotes 2 2nd - 4:38Jan 23 11:25 PM - Phoenix Goal - Steve Sullivan, from Antoine Vermette and Shane Doan at 7:27.
Blue Jackets 1, Coyotes 1 2nd - 12:33Jan 23 11:13 PM - COLUMBUS: 0
PHOENIX: 0
End of 1st
Jan 23 10:42 PM - COLUMBUS: 0
PHOENIX: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Jan 23 10:08 PM
Related News
- We've moved Mar 30
- The Cannon is moving! Mar 29
- Game 73 Recap: Jackets and Rangers play chaotic first period, New York dominates the rest of the way to beat Columbus 6-2 Mar 28
- Game #73 Preview: Blue Jackets limp into New York Mar 28
- The Six wins their first Isobel Cup, beating the Whitecaps 4-3 in overtime Mar 27
- Has Kent Johnson improved this season? Mar 27
- Coyotes Game 75 Preview: Coyotes host the Oilers in the second game of a back-to-back Mar 27
- Coyotes Game 74 Preview: The Coyotes host the Avalanche Mar 26
- Blue Jackets allow six unanswered goals to Canadiens in blowout loss Mar 25
- The Coyotes' persistent penalty problem Mar 25
- Coyotes minority owner Andrew Barroway arrested in Colorado on assault charges Mar 25
- Game #72 Preview/Gamethread: Bleu Jackets voyage to Montreal Mar 25