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Smith and the Coyotes knock out the 'Hawks
Source: Agencies |
April 25, 2012, Wednesday
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MIKE Smith refused to budge. He protected the goal as if there was a "no pucks allowed" sign dangling from around his neck.
And now, thanks to his first career post-season shutout, the Phoenix Coyotes are finally moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Smith made 39 saves, frustrating the Chicago Blackhawks by stopping shots from all angles and body positions -- especially early in the game when he faced an onslaught -- as the Coyotes won 4-0 Monday night in Chicago to wrap up the first-round series in six games.
"He was unbelievable," said Coyotes captain Shane Doan, who began his career in Winnipeg in 1995 and had waited a long time to celebrate a series victory.
Meanwhile, Brad Richards scored the go-ahead goal and Derek Stepan had a goal and two assists as the New York Rangers staved off elimination with a 3-2 victory against the Ottawa Senators on Monday night in the Canadian capital.
"We showed some desperation tonight," Rangers defenseman Marc Staal said.
The series heads back to New York for Game 7 tomorrow night.
The Coyotes captured a first-round series for the first time since moving to Phoenix for the 1996-97 season. It is the first series triumph for the franchise since 1987 when it was still in Winnipeg as the Jets.
"It was just one of those games when pucks were hitting me and our guys were doing a good job to get rebounds over there and tie guys up after their shots. It was just the rhythm of the game," Smith said.
Or as Phoenix coach Dave Tippett described it: "The hockey gods were probably looking down on us, giving us a chance, and Smith cleaned up the rest."
Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored in the second and Gilbert Brule, Antoine Vermette and Kyle Chipchura had goals in the third.
The Coyotes won all three games at the United Center - Monday's game was the first in the series not decided in overtime - and now play Nashville in the conference semifinals.
Smith had 229 saves in the six games.
"I don't know what to say right now. We worked so hard, we had so many chances, and every time we had a chance and it didn't go in, we said, 'Keep working, we'll get another one. It'll go in eventually,"' Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said.
After winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, the Blackhawks have lost in the first round two straight years.
And now, thanks to his first career post-season shutout, the Phoenix Coyotes are finally moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Smith made 39 saves, frustrating the Chicago Blackhawks by stopping shots from all angles and body positions -- especially early in the game when he faced an onslaught -- as the Coyotes won 4-0 Monday night in Chicago to wrap up the first-round series in six games.
"He was unbelievable," said Coyotes captain Shane Doan, who began his career in Winnipeg in 1995 and had waited a long time to celebrate a series victory.
Meanwhile, Brad Richards scored the go-ahead goal and Derek Stepan had a goal and two assists as the New York Rangers staved off elimination with a 3-2 victory against the Ottawa Senators on Monday night in the Canadian capital.
"We showed some desperation tonight," Rangers defenseman Marc Staal said.
The series heads back to New York for Game 7 tomorrow night.
The Coyotes captured a first-round series for the first time since moving to Phoenix for the 1996-97 season. It is the first series triumph for the franchise since 1987 when it was still in Winnipeg as the Jets.
"It was just one of those games when pucks were hitting me and our guys were doing a good job to get rebounds over there and tie guys up after their shots. It was just the rhythm of the game," Smith said.
Or as Phoenix coach Dave Tippett described it: "The hockey gods were probably looking down on us, giving us a chance, and Smith cleaned up the rest."
Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored in the second and Gilbert Brule, Antoine Vermette and Kyle Chipchura had goals in the third.
The Coyotes won all three games at the United Center - Monday's game was the first in the series not decided in overtime - and now play Nashville in the conference semifinals.
Smith had 229 saves in the six games.
"I don't know what to say right now. We worked so hard, we had so many chances, and every time we had a chance and it didn't go in, we said, 'Keep working, we'll get another one. It'll go in eventually,"' Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said.
After winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, the Blackhawks have lost in the first round two straight years.
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