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Morris, Coyotes hold off Canucks

Apr 9, 2007 - 2:10 AM GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Defenseman Derek Morris and the Phoenix Coyotes ended the season on a high note.

Morris scored the decisive goal and added an assist as the Coyotes avoided a season sweep with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks in the regular-season finale for both clubs.

Rookie Bill Thomas tallied and veteran Jeremy Roenick recorded a goal and an assist in what may have been his final NHL game for Phoenix (31-46-5), which finished with the worst record in the Western Conference.

"The season was very disappointing," Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky said. "The disappointment ran especially in January, when we were 12-14 points behind.

"At that point, we made the decision as an organization to go with younger players. We knew when we made that decision, we would have some trying times here. The first 40 games were hard because our expectations were so high."

The Coyotes opened the scoring at 5:45 of the first period as Steven Reinprecht received a pass in the slot from defenseman Matt Jones and fed Thomas, who wristed a shot past the left pad of goaltender Dany Sabourin.

After Alex Burrows tied the contest at 1-1 with a backhander at 10:29, Morris restored Phoenix's lead 1:43 later during a power play. Just three seconds into the man advantage, Morris blasted a shot from just inside the blue line past Sabourin for his sixth goal of the season and a 2-1 edge.

"On my goal, I got a good pass," Morris said. "Jeremy did a good job on the draw, then Owen (Nolan) got it to me. I just saw some open ice and threw it on net."

"The first goal was kind of a fluke," Sabourin said. "I didn't know it was coming. The second shot from the point, I was screened."

The 37-year-old Roenick, who struggled through a difficult season that saw him benched on several occasions and has hinted toward retirement, capped the win with an empty-netter in the final minute of the third.

"This season was disappointing, but sometimes stuff like that makes you a better person," Roenick said. "These last couple of weeks have been really good and I felt good. The things I've done on the ice the last 10 games opened my eyes a little bit. Maybe I can stick it out a little longer."

It was the 11th goal of the campaign and 495th career for Roenick, who trails only Dallas' Mike Modano (507) and Hall of Famer Joey Mullen (502) among American-born players.

"I really thought that this could be my final goal as a Coyote, I absolutely thought about that," Roenick said. "I think the fans recognized it, too. It's going to be an interesting couple of months for me while I decide what to do."

Curtis Joseph stopped 23 shots en route to his 446th career victory.

"We have been out of the playoffs for a little while, so we tried to finish strong," Joseph said. "The last few weeks typified a strong effort and the professionalism of all the guys in here."

"I don't know what Curtis' plans are for the future," Gretzky said. "He is a joy to be around and wonderful person. It was nice to see him have a game like today."

The 17-year veteran trails Hall of Famer Terry Sawchuk by one for fourth place on all-time list.

"I enjoyed playing here, and as long as I am contributing at the level I expect, it's a great game, so why not keep playing?" Joseph said.

With Roberto Luongo being rested, Sabourin stopped 24 shots for the Canucks (49-26-7), who take on the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference quarterfinals.

"Since Christmas, we have been one of the best teams in the NHL, and that's because we played hard at both ends of the rink," Canucks coach Alan Vigneault said. "That is what we are going to have to do starting Wednesday."