Coyotes clip Oilers 3-2

Phoenix's Ilya Bryzgalov kicks the puck away from Patrick O'Sullivan at Jobing.com Arena March 26, 2009 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)

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by Jen Sharpe | edmontonoilers.com

Although two Oilers named Ales took 43 seconds to get the club within one goal late in the third, the team was unable to close the gap and dropped a 3-2 decision to the Coyotes in Phoenix Thursday night. Ales Kotalik and Ales Hemsky scored Edmonton's lone goals, while Dwayne Roloson stopped 20 shots in the game.

FIRST PERIOD

Edmonton's attempt to sweep their season series vs. Phoenix didn't start well. Four minutes into the game, Matthew Lombardi skated up the left wing and wristed the puck past two defenders and goalie Dwayne Roloson for an early 1-0 Coyotes lead.

Three minutes later, a hooking minor to Ales Hemsky gave the 'Yotes a powerplay chance to double their lead, but Roloson and his penalty killers diffused the situation.

Phoenix held the shot lead for much of the period, although posts at both ends of the ice kept a few scoring opportunities off the clock.

In the frame's final five minutes, consecutive Coyotes infractions let the Oilers test their powerplay. The visitors were unable to get the job done on the first man-advantage, but the majority of their second opportunity extended into the second period.

SECOND PERIOD

Edmonton started the middle frame down one goal and one shot but up one man for 1:57. Despite firing two more shots on Coyotes goalie Ilja Bryzgalov, the club was unable to tally an early equalizer.

The Oilers maintained the shot lead following the powerplay but near the midway point of the game, the Coyotes took control. After swarming in the offensive zone and maintaining steady pressure on the scrambling Oil, the 'Yotes finally got the puck on net and past Roloson thanks to a snapshot by Daniel Winnik from the mid slot.

Three minutes later, Phoenix made it 3-0. Although Roloson stopped Shane Doan's initial shot, Martin Hanzal was on hand to redirect the rebound into the net.

Like in the first, the Oilers benefited from a powerplay late in the frame. The man-advantage helped them finish with a three-shot lead but three-goal deficit.

THIRD PERIOD

Edmonton couldn't beat Bryzgalov on that third powerplay or a fourth immediately after. At 3:23, Patrick O'Sullivan gave the Coyotes a reprieve by taking his first of two penalties, but the Oilers killed those infractions to stay within three.

With 50 minutes gone and 10 minutes left on the clock, an eighth penalty finally yielded a powerplay goal. From the left point, Oilers forward Ales Kotalik watched his slapshot deflect off a Coyotes defender and past Bryzgalov to get the Oilers on the board and within two.

43 seconds later, Ales struck again -- but this time he wore #83. After battling up the middle of the ice, Ales Hemsky muscled his way in on net and scored on a wrist-shot to set the score at 3-2.

The Oilers pulled Roloson in the final 90 seconds but a sixth skater failed to secure a third goal and the club dropped a 3-2 decision for their third straight loss.