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Arizona Coyotes

After Wild, 6-goal Second Period, Coyotes Lose 6-5 to Blues

© Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

In one of the most chaotic games this season, the Arizona Coyotes fell to the St. Louis Blues 6-5 at Mullett Arena on Nov. 22.

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Previously, Arizona and St. Louis have split two games this season so far, 1-1.

The Coyotes would crush St. Louis 6-2 on Oct. 19 with nine different goal scorers throughout.

Then, the Blues returned the favor by locking down the Coyotes’ offense as they won 2-1 in the second and last meeting in St. Louis.

With the standings so tight, St. Louis had 19 points in fourth place as they were in front of Arizona who amassed 18 before the game.

Understanding that there was only a one-point difference going into the contest, this was going to be highly contested regardless.

First Period

The first half of the initial-20 minutes was mostly held at center ice or out wide as either side couldn’t burst through each other’s defense.

Then, Arizona right wing Nick Schmaltz made a costly mistake.

On the attack, Schmaltz tried to pass the puck behind him without looking, but in doing so, his attempt was intercepted by Blues captain Brayden Schenn.

Going the other way, Schenn had a breakaway before maneuvering the puck forehand, then backhand and score to give St. Louis the lead, 1-0 8:47 into the period.

Not even two minutes later, Coyotes center Nick Bjugstad answered right back.

At the top of the left face-off circle, Bjugstad received a pass from teammate Matias Maccelli before Bjugstad ripped a shot past the blocker of Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington to tie the game 1-1 with 9:20 remaining in the first frame.

However, that score wouldn’t last either.

After initially whiffing on a shot, St. Louis left wing Brandon Saad sent the puck to defenseman Colton Parayko.

There, Parayko fired the puck from the point towards multiple players in front of Arizona goaltender Karel Vejmelka, but it somehow found a way into the goal to make the score 2-1 Blues with 7:45 left.

Yet again, an advantage by St. Louis evaporated after Coyotes left wing Michael Carcone and forward Jason Zucker connected on an awkward goal.

Skating into the Blues’ zone, Carcone bursted on the left looking for Zucker to get open.

As Zucker was crashing the net, he was swarmed by three St. Louis defenders before Carcone whipped a pass to him.

Zucker would then get a touch of the puck and fell towards the board, but he would just get enough contact on it to score and knot the game up 2-2 with 1:56 left.

Second Period

Jumping out the gates in the second period, both teams came out aggressive.

Just 0:22 in, Arizona center Nick Bjugstad found Lawson Crouse in the slot before he finished a one-timer for a 3-2 ‘Yotes lead.

Moments later, Coyotes rookie Logan Cooley sent a shot off the post as Binnington was off from saving it.

Blues defenseman Scott Perunovich would tug the stick of ‘Yotes left wing Liam O’Brien and received a penalty.

Instead of it being a power-play for the Coyotes, it was more like a power-kill for St. Louis.

After being down 4-on-5, the Blues didn’t score just one shorthanded goals thanks to defenseman Nick Leddy and forward Alexey Torpchenko 0:33 apart, and all of a sudden, it was 4-3 St. Louis.

As a result, Vejmelka would be yanked and Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram came into the game.

The chaos continued to ensue as Carcone got his piece of the action.

Carcone sniped the puck over the blocker of Binnington and it looked like it hit the crossbar.

Following further review, the puck quickly went in and out of the top of net as the Coyotes would tie the game 4-4 6:56 into the second period.

Schmaltz later repaid Arizona for his mistake in the first period as he let go of a shot off the post and in as Arizona regained a lead, 5-4 8:00 in.

Just like Vejmelka, Binnington was be yanked and goaltender Joel Hofer came in relief for St. Louis.

To complete the dramatic 10:27 of the second period, Blues center Robert Thomas fired a shot five-hole on Ingram to cap-off a six-goal period and equalize to contest, 5-5 at 10:49.

Once the middle frame concluded, the game had 10 goals from 10 different scorers which is the most in a single-game this season.

Third Period

To kickstart the last period of regulation, a freakish hit ended with Cooley falling onto the ice.

Torpchenko laid a huge hit on Cooley while the ‘Yotes forward wasn’t looking and seemed shaken up 1:01 in.

Just when thinking the game calmed down, it didn’t.

Zucker had an opportunity to cut in front of Hofer to score, but missed.

After a chance going one way, Blues center Kevin Hayes went the other towards Ingram before slotting home a breakaway to make the score 6-5 Blues 4:13 into the period.

The Coyotes would then take three penalties, including O’Brien yelling at someone on the Blues bench and receiving a 10-minute misconduct.

Bjugstad had a breakaway shorthanded, but missed the goal entirely.

Even though they were down 5-on-3, the ‘Yotes were able to kill the penalties off.

Postgame Notes

In a game of practically no defense, the Blues were able to weather the storm late in the third period to comeback and win.

At the end of the first two periods, there was 10 goals on only 33 shots.

From top to bottom, it was a frustrating night to be a goalie, but an amazing one for the offense.

For the Blues, Saad led in points with two assists.

On the other hand, forward Matias Maccelli, Bjugstad and Carcone all had two each for the Coyotes.

In goal, Ingram made 18 saves on 20 shots after coming in relief for Vejmelka who would only stop 7-11.

Hofer recorded the win as he saved all 12 shots he faced following Binnington gave up 5 goals on 13 shots.

With this result, Arizona falls to 8-9-2 and are on a three-game losing streak.

The ‘Yotes will remain in fifth place in the Central Division after tonight.

On Nov. 25, Arizona head to Vegas to play the reigning Stanley Cup Champions in the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena at 8 p.m.

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Alec Cipollini is a reporter of the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini

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