The Arizona Coyotes (13-10-2) fell to the defensively-rugged Philadelphia Flyers (14-10-2) 4-1 at Mullett Arena on Dec. 4.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Right off the hop, both teams brought out the physicality as there 11 hits split between both teams in the first 10:00 of play.
However, Arizona’s offensive production was quiet to begin with only one shot through the initial 7:17 of the hockey game.
A common theme Philadelphia was trying orchestrate was passing to the point, and their defenseman looking for a player in front of the net to screen ‘Yotes goaltender Connor Ingram.
Ingram stood up to the task initially, but an unfortunate bounce crossed the goal line.
From the right face-off circle, Flyers right wing Travis Konecny received the puck off a face-off, shot at Ingram’s shoulder, the puck popped up in the air and went in for Konecny’s 13th goal of the season to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
3:11 later, Philly would extend their advantage after left wing Joel Farabee planted himself in front of the Coyotes’ goal before he tapped home a cross-crease pass from teammate Cam Atkinson.
Then, Arizona left wing Matias Maccelli skated behind the Flyers’ goal line before finding Lawson Crouse for a one-timer in the slot to minimize the deficit to 2-1.
Wait for it… boom. https://t.co/90MTyMQBGB pic.twitter.com/ikSexwTEJx
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) December 8, 2023
As the game continued, the Coyotes struggled with puck possession due to Philadelphia’s aggressive defensive pressure.
Multiple times, Arizona tried to break the puck out of their defensive zone with at least one Flyer always in pursuit.
Off of a mistake by the Coyotes, Konecny scored again on a breakaway while shorthanded to make it 3-1 Philadelphia.
Just like the first period, Arizona would create multiple opportunities as the clock clicked down in the second, but couldn’t capitalize past Flyers goaltender Carter Hart.
Flyers defenseman Cam York would record his fourth goal of the year 1:47 into the third as the Flyers defeated the Coyotes 4-1.
Postgame Stats
- Goaltending – Ingram (AZ): 22/26 saves, 4 goals against| Hart (PHI): 25/26 saves, 1 GA
- Points – Crouse (AZ): 1 goal | Konecny (PHI): 2 goals
- Blocks – D Juuso Välimäki (AZ): 2 | C Morgan Frost and York (PHI): 3
- Hits –Â (AZ): 18 | (PHI): 19
- Power-play –Â Coyotes: 0/3 | Flyers: N/A
To conclude, Arizona fall to 13-10-2 on the season with 28 points and are tied for fourth place with the Nashville Predators in the Central Division.
Furthermore, the Flyers snapped the Desert Dogs’ five-game winning streak with this result.
Now, the Coyotes will embark on a three-game roadtrip to the East Coast as they face the Boston Bruins (17-5-3) on Dec. 9 at 11 a.m. MST.
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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
