ARIZONA COYOTES

Coyotes coach unconcerned with late game struggles

Feb 27, 2013, 10:46 PM | Updated: Feb 28, 2013, 12:02 am

LISTEN: Dave Tippett, Phoenix Coyotes' Head Coach

If it weren’t for late comebacks by the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames over the weekend, the Phoenix Coyotes would be on a five-game winning streak, with three of the victories coming on the road.

After being up 2-0 in the second period, the Coyotes allowed the Oilers to score two unanswered goals before going to overtime and losing in a shootout.

The following night, Phoenix was up 4-3 with two minutes left and the Flames would score twice within 30 seconds.

Coach Dave Tippett told Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo that the league’s new rules have been a factor in the Coyotes late-game mishaps.

“That’s a little bit of a byproduct of the league right now,” Tippett said. “Since the lockout, it’s a lot harder to hold leads. You’re going to have a little sway back and forth.”

In other words, Tippett is saying the game has changed.

“In the old days, you used to get a guy in front of the net and you used to just hang on to his stick and he couldn’t get away, or you could bear hug him in the corner — a small player was very ineffective in the game,” Tippett said. “Now you can’t hook, you can’t hold, you can’t hold up people on the forecheck. All those things are creating more chances in the game. It’s going to lead to more goals against.”

Tippett still believes in his guys and the way they finish games, and Tuesday night’s win over the Vancouver Canucks was a perfect example of why. The Coyotes held a 2-1 lead before scoring again to make it 3-1 with seven minutes remaining. But a minute later the Canucks got one back, and it was 3-2 until Kyle Chipchura put one in an empty net with less than 30 seconds to go.

“It was a good bounce back game for us,” Tippett said. “The two games earlier on the road trip we played good in stretches, but couldn’t hold leads in both those games.

“We have a real good mindset in close games, one-goal games.”

Arizona Coyotes

Matias Maccelli #63 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during an NHL game at Mullett Arena...

Associated Press

Josh Doan nets twice in NHL debut, Coyotes score 4 goals in 3rd and beat Blue Jackets

Josh Doan had two goals including the go-ahead score in his first NHL game and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2.

1 day ago

ASU hockey player Josh Doan and father Shane Doan wave to fans before the ceremonial first puck to ...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes forward Josh Doan scores twice in NHL debut

Coyotes forward Josh Doan scored twice in his NHL debut on Tuesday. Doan had goals in the second and third period against Columbus. 

1 day ago

Josh Doan...

Damon Allred

Arizona Coyotes recall forward Josh Doan from Tucson Roadrunners

The Arizona Coyotes recalled former second-round pick Josh Doan, son of former captain Shane Doan, from the Tucson Roadrunners.

3 days ago

Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck while being defended by Alex Kerfoot #15...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes fall to Dallas Stars for 2nd time in last 3 games

Miro Heiskanen broke a tie with 5:28 left and the Stars won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Coyotes on Sunday night.

3 days ago

Dylan Guenther...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther scores overtime game-winner vs. Kraken

Dylan Guenther scored in overtime to give the Arizona Coyotes a win over Seattle on Friday night.

5 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Liam O'Brien...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ struggles in Dallas continue despite Clayton Keller stacking goals

The Dallas Stars extended their home points streak against the Coyotes to 19 games with a victory on Wednesday night.

7 days ago

Coyotes coach unconcerned with late game struggles