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Connor Ingram’s 34-save Shutout Powers Coyotes to 2-0 Win Over Golden Knights

© Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Thanks to goaltender Connor Ingram recording a shutout, the Arizona Coyotes were able to blank the Vegas Golden Knights 2-0 in Nevada on Nov. 25.

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Going into the “Fortress,” Arizona were on a three-game losing streak after their last contest was a chaotic, 6-5 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 22.

In the defeat, there were six goals in the second period alone, but only one by the Blues in the last-20 minutes of regulation secured them the victory.

Additionally, the Coyotes announced that defenseman Matt Dumba (lower body) would miss the game against the Golden Knights.

As a corresponding move, Vladislav Kolyachonok was going to make his first NHL appearance this season as he filled in Dumba’s place in Arizona’s lineup.

On the other hand, Vegas were not just the reigning Stanley Cup Champions in 2022-23, but were the second best team in the entire NHL before today.

With a previous record of 14-4-2, the Golden Knights had 30 points on the season in 20 games. Only the Boston Bruins had more with 31.

As the Coyotes searched to get a win over a juggernaut, it was always going to be a difficult challenge against one of the best.

But, they came through.

First Period

Despite a few chances, the Coyotes didn’t test Vegas goaltender Logan Thompson enough to cause any trouble.

However, at the other end, Arizona’s Connor Ingram faced a barrage of quality opportunities produced by the Golden Knights, but the ‘Yotes goalie turned them all away.

Numerous times, the Vegas forwards would pass to the point and their defense shot towards the net in hopes for the forwards to pounce on rebounds.

With 3:59 left in the first period, Golden Knights star Jack Eichel had a breakaway and tried to score with one hand on his stick.

Ingram missed a poke check attempt, but was able to save it with his right leg pad.

To conclude the first period, Coyotes left wing Lawson Crouse and Vegas defenseman Zach Whitecloud pushed, shoved and argued at one another.

Arizona was heavily outshot 13-5 by the “VGK” and didn’t have one on-goal for the last 10:20 of the frame.

Second Period

Again, Vegas kept pushing, but just could not get a shot past Ingram.

With 11:10 remaining, the Coyotes were down to five defensemen as Kolyachonok was hit behind the his team’s net by Golden Knights winger Jonathan Marchessault.

Kolyachonok’s right leg was crunched as it absorbed most of the impact while he went down.

As a result, Kolyachonok was in pain before eventually heading to the locker-room and didn’t return.

Then, Vegas went on the power-play after Coyotes defenseman Troy Stecher was given a delay-of-game penalty after he fired the puck over the glass and out of play.

Golden Knights forward Ivan Barbashev gave defenseman Alex Pietrangelo a one-timer pass for a tap-in.

However, Ingram was able to slide over on Pietrangelo’s bid and made a glove save with 2:14 left in the middle period.

Unlike the first where Vegas dominated, the second frame would only see 10 shots in total, divided up 5-5 between each team.

Third Period

The defensive gridlock that occurred in the second rolled on into the third period early before Arizona had a prime scoring chance.

Rushing down the left side of the ice, Nevada native and Coyotes right wing Jason Zucker passed the puck to center Alex Kerfoot in the slot.

Unfortunately for Kerfoot, he would whiff on a shot as the puck slid slowly towards Thomspon with 12:57 left in the third period.

Moments later, Arizona center Logan Cooley won a battle for the puck behind the Vegas net.

Then, Cooley passed it in front for Coyotes right wing Nick Schmaltz and left wing Clayton Keller for a tic-tac-toe goal.

Once Cooley sent the puck to Schmaltz, he set up Keller for a tap-in to score and finally break the scoreless deadlock, 1-0 ‘Yotes with 9:22 remaining in regulation.

Moving forward, Zucker would block two shots by Vegas and hobbled straight to the bench with 6:13 on the clock.

Luckily for Arizona, Zucker showed that he has a warrior mentality as he returned about two minutes later.

Trying to score a game-tying goal, Thompson bolted straight towards the Golden Knights bench for a 6-on-5 advantage.

Pulling their goalie, Vegas left an empty-net before Coyotes left wing Lawson Crouse scored his 10th of the season to close the game 2-0.

Postgame Notes

Ingram stopped all 34 shots by the Golden Knights as he was able to lead his team to a 2-0 victory.

Keller would score his eighth of the season while Crouse’s tally was his 10th.

Furthermore, this win was the Coyotes’ first in Vegas since Apr. 4, 2019. They were winless in their last nine at T-Mobile Arena.

As for Thompson, he made 17 saves on 18 attempts by the ‘Yotes.

Vegas outhit Arizona 15-10.

On the power-play, the “VGK” was 0-for-5 while the Coyotes were 0-for-2.

With this result, Arizona is 9-9-2, have 20 points and move up to fifth in the Central Division.

Now, the Coyotes will return to the valley and begin a five-game home stand starting with a battle against the Tampa Bay Lightning (10-6-5) on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m.

Coyotes Defenseman Matt Dumba Ruled Out vs. Golden Knights

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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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