Whatever else you might say about Phil Kessel, one thing that stands out is 900 straight game played in the NHL.
“He’s been a money player his whole career,” Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said. “He didn’t like his year last year (14 goals in 70 games), but this year he came in and put up some points for us. (43 in 56 games)”
In his 900th game on Saturday night, Kessel potted the game-winner in overtime to help the Arizona Coyotes defeat the Sharks,, 5-4, in San Jose.
“These games are definitely tough to play when you know there’s nothing really to look forward to afterwards,” Arizona’s Conor Garland (goal) said. “You play hockey to get to the playoffs and have a chance to play for the Cup, and we didn’t do that this year.”
Adin Hill made 44 saves in the win.
Kevin Labanc, Timo Meier, and Rudolfs Balcersscored for the Sharks.
“There were large portions of the game that I felt we were the better team, but they found a way to get the goals they needed,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said. “We had a lot of chances, especially in the beginning of the game, in the middle of the game, but their guy [Hill] stood up to the challenge.”
Christian Dvorak struck twice for the Coyotes.
Jan Jenik scored his second goal i
Alexander Barabanov made extra time necessary when he tied the game with less than four minutes left on the regulation clock.
“We kept going, and that’s good to see,” Boughner said. “Obviously, points really don’t matter for our club right now, we’re concentrating on the things we’re working on, and guys are fighting hard.”
Alexei Melnichuk made 27 saves in the loss.
You must be logged in to post a comment.