Coyotes 4 - 3 Blackhawks
Final - 2OT
  for this game

Coyotes down Blackhawks in shootout

Dec 6, 2011 - 5:39 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Radim Vrbata both scored in the shootout, as the Phoenix Coyotes, despite blowing a three-goal lead, came away with a 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.

After a scoreless third period and uneventful overtime, Ekman-Larsson beat Ray Emery on the glove side with a quick shot. Emery had stopped all 11 shots he faced after replacing Corey Crawford early in the second period.

Phoenix goalie Mike Smith gave up a pair of second-period goals to Jonathan Toews but denied the Chicago captain in the first round of the shootout. Vrbata, who netted his team-leading 13th goal of the season earlier, then lifted a backhander over Emery's right pad before Smith turned aside a bid from Marian Hossa.

Smith finished with 32 saves for the Coyotes, who had dropped two straight since posting a 4-1 win in Chicago last Tuesday.

Crawford was lifted from the game after Keith Yandle lit the lamp 69 seconds into the middle frame.

Toews ignited the comeback at 2:40, then redirected Duncan Keith's point shot for a power-play goal at 9:27. He then set up Patrick Kane's tying marker with 6:03 to play in the second.

"Disappointed with our start, but good comeback, good point," said Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville.

Raffi Torres and Vrbata put Phoenix ahead 2-0 with goals in the first period.

Chicago defenseman Steve Montador fell down in the neutral zone, leading to an odd-man rush for the Coyotes and Mikkel Boedker fed Torres for a one-timer at 2:35.

A giveaway in their own zone by the Blackhawks led to Vrbata taking Ray Whitney's pass from behind the net and beating a prone Crawford with 1:47 remaining in the first.

"We came out with a great first period and then kind of let our guard down a little bit and got away from our game plan," Smith said.

Game Notes

Vrbata has scored 12 goals in his last 17 games...Crawford made 13 saves...Chicago was seeking a third consecutive win...Whitney recorded his 599th career assist...The Coyotes haven't lost three straight games in regulation since February 12-March 2, 2010, a span that was broken up by the Olympic break...The visiting team has won each of the first three matchups this season.






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