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Frolik lifts Panthers past Coyotes in shootout

Dec 5, 2010 - 8:36 AM Glendale, AZ (Sports Network) - Michael Frolik registered the game-winner in the fifth round of the shootout to give Florida a 2-1 victory over Phoenix.

After Lauri Korpikoski failed on a wrister to start the round, Frolik used the backhand to score on Ilya Bryzgalov and win the game for the visitors.

Frolik also tallied in regulation for Florida, which snapped a two-game losing streak. Scott Clemmensen had 40 saves between the pipes.

"It was just a total team effort tonight," Clemmensen said. "Everyone played so well tonight from the defense on up to the forwards. We needed a win and in order to get a team win like we had was very important."

Martin Hanzal had the lone goal for the Coyotes, who have dropped three of their last four after coming off a seven-game winning stretch. Bryzgalov turned away 36-of-37 shots in the loss.

"There was good things I saw in the game and there were some disappointing things," said Phoenix head coach Dave Tippett. "I was disappointed in our power play in the third period. We really let that momentum slip away. I'm also disappointed in the penalties."

Florida broke the scoring midway through the second period after the Phoenix defense misplayed the puck behind its own net. David Booth took control of the disc and centered it to Frolik in the left slot. He then finished the play by sweeping it past Bryzgalov.

Phoenix tied the game up on a power play at the 16:04 mark in the second when Keith Yandle passed the puck at the left point to Ray Whitney, who held it moving toward the center of the left circle. He then ripped a shot that was deflected by Hanzal at the top of the crease.

During overtime, the Panthers had a 5-on-3 advantage after a Whitney hooking penalty and a too-many-men-on-the-ice call. However, they weren't able to convert.

While short-handed, the Coyotes had a golden opportunity to get a game-winner on 2-on-1 rush led by Yandle. He ripped a wrister from the right side but Clemmensen turned aside the puck with his left leg.

Game Notes

It was only meeting between the teams this season..Phoenix travels to Anaheim on Sunday, while Florida will host Colorado on Tuesday...Radim Vrbata and Scottie Upshall each scored on their shootout chances in the loss...Florida's other scorers in the shootout were Mike Santorelli and Stephen Weiss.