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Sykora scores game-winning goal to lift Oilers to win

Dec 22, 2006 - 7:14 AM GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Petr Sykora couldn't have ended his struggles at a perfect time.

Sykora scored the go-ahead goal with 1:14 remaining as the Edmonton Oilers escaped with a 3-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes.

Jarret Stoll netted a shorthanded tally for the Oilers, who ended a two-game skid, surviving an 0-for-6 outing on the power play.

Sykora scored twice Tuesday in Edmonton's 7-6 loss to Colorado which ended a personal 10-game drought. But the center was still facing a dry spell on the road, having not scored in his last nine games away from home.

That slump looked like it would continue until Sykora broke a 2-2 tie with a snap shot off a backhanded pass from Shawn Horcoff, beating Coyotes goaltender Curtis Joseph stick side.

"(Ales Hemsky) took about three guys on his back and made it all the way to the blue line, then made a beautiful pass to Horcoff, who just led it by," Sykora said. "I was trying to hit the five-hole, but I kind of misfired, but it still went in. We had about three or four pretty good scoring chances before (Joseph) made some great saves."

"It was a 2-on-1 and (Horcoff) made a quick pass to Sykora, then he made a great shot just inside my right leg," Joseph said. "I could have gone anywhere but he releases that thing as good as anybody."

Jussi Markkanen had 21 saves for Edmonton while Joseph stopped 25 shots for Phoenix, which has lost five of its last six games.

"The difference in the game was that we had ample opportunities at 2-1," Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky. "I don't know how many power plays, but we didn't generate any opportunity.

"Our power play really let us down. Our power play is really killing us. It is nonexistent. It is the difference in every hockey game. I am not going to point fingers at players but our power play is horrendous."

Phoenix 1-for-11 with the man advantage in its last two games.

Yanic Perreault forged a 2-2 tie during the power play 3:36 into the closing period when his wrist shot deflected off the skate of Oilers defenseman Jason Smith and into the net.

"Anytime we come back in a game like that, then you lose it in the last minute, that one hurts," Joseph said.