Coyotes’ rookies triumph in Vegas

The Arizona Coyotes finished up their games on Monday at the 2023 Rookie Faceoff over the weekend in Las Vegas where they went 2-0-1 at City National Arena.

On Friday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche, the ‘Yotes lost 3-2 in a tough over time defeat. They bounced back on Saturday despite losing Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley who left to attend the Coyotes’ games in Australia and defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 after going down 1-0 earlier in the night.

In their last showing on Monday morning, the Coyotes got the 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks to put the exclamation mark on their successful weekend.

Several ‘Yotes showed out during the Rookie Faceoff, contributing to the team’s victories and getting fans excited for a promising 2023-24 season.

Weekend scoring breakdown and highlights:

Doan — 4G, 3A

Josh Doan scores yet again to give the #Yotes a 5–2 lead. It's his fourth goal and seventh point of the Rookie Faceoff.

Conor Geekie with the assist.

Doan is really good, you guys. pic.twitter.com/Dsw2CwwOYL

— Mike Gould (@miketgould) September 18, 2023

Geekie — 3G, 3A

Conor Geekie has looked the part of a No. 11 pick here at the Rookie Faceoff.

On the PP, Geekie elevates a nifty backhander in tight to give the #Yotes a 3–1 lead.

Josh Doan and Maveric Lamoureux with the assists. Doan has six points in three games at this tournament. pic.twitter.com/Z8lxuG2bls

— Mike Gould (@miketgould) September 18, 2023

Räty — 1G, 2A

Aku Räty with a PP snipe to give the #Yotes a 3–1 lead over the Kings at the Rookie Faceoff.

Maksymillian Szuber and Josh Doan with the assists.

Szuber has been absolutely outstanding tonight. pic.twitter.com/BQA8qVqM4z

— Mike Gould (@miketgould) September 17, 2023

Szuber — 3A

Conor Geekie with a goal as beautiful as his pink visor.

Forehand to backhand to the top shelf. Geekie's second of the game gives the #Yotes a 2–1 lead.

Julian Lutz and Maksymillian Szuber with the assists. pic.twitter.com/Ry2qH8SPpQ

— Mike Gould (@miketgould) September 17, 2023

Lamoureux — 2A

#Yotes prospect Josh Doan scores a beauty between-the-legs goal, assisted by Conor Geekie and Maveric Lamoureux, against the Avalanche at the 2023 Rookie Faceoff.

Nasty! pic.twitter.com/D4nuf1Fzoj

— Mike Gould (@miketgould) September 15, 2023

MacDonald — 1G

#Yotes rookie camp invite Cam MacDonald makes it a 4–1 game with a nice shorthanded goal against the Sharks.

MacDonald is a former Tampa Bay Lightning prospect who scored 29 goals in the QMJHL last year. pic.twitter.com/W45Z7duP9A

— Mike Gould (@miketgould) September 18, 2023

Elliott — 1G

Drew Elliott scores a nice goal for the #Yotes off the rush at the Rookie Faceoff.

He's an undrafted camp invite who played with Maveric Lamoureux at QMJHL Drummondville. pic.twitter.com/wRtvblw6pt

— Mike Gould (@miketgould) September 18, 2023

Cooley (1GP) — 1A

Josh Doan gets his second of the period for the #Yotes against the Avalanche.

Very nice give-and-go with Logan Cooley, with Dylan Guenther (wearing the C) also involved in the sequence leading up to the goal.

Cooley and Maksymillian Szuber with the assists. pic.twitter.com/97tpicQzrN

— Mike Gould (@miketgould) September 15, 2023

Lutz — 1A

Conor Geekie with a goal as beautiful as his pink visor.

Forehand to backhand to the top shelf. Geekie's second of the game gives the #Yotes a 2–1 lead.

Julian Lutz and Maksymillian Szuber with the assists. pic.twitter.com/Ry2qH8SPpQ

— Mike Gould (@miketgould) September 17, 2023

The Coyotes’ Rookie Faceoff roster for Vegas is below:

Forwards: Ben Boyd, Logan Cooley, Josh Doan, Elliot Ekefjard, Drew Elliott, Conor Geekie, Dylan Guenther, Lukas Hes, Michael Lombardi, Julian Lutz, Cam MacDonald,

Micah Miller, Reggie Newman, Josh Prokop, Aku Raty, Reece Vitelli

Defensemen: Terrell Goldsmith, Braden Hache, Justin Kipkie, Maveric Lamoureux, Jeremy Langlois, Montana Onyebuchi, Maksymilian Szuber, Ryder Thompson Goaltenders: Andrew Oke, Mathis Rousseau, Anson Thornton.

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Taylyn Hadley is a sports and general assignment reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on X via @TAYLYNH11.