Hawks Can't Get Offense Rolling
CHICAGO (AP) - Kyle Turris and Wojtek Wolski scored 35 seconds apart in the second period and backup Jason LaBarbera made 35 saves in the Phoenix Coyotes' 2-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.
Phoenix improved to 5-5-5, and the Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks dropped to 8-9-1 with their fourth loss in five games. Chicago also blew a lead at home for the sixth time this season.
LaBarbera, winless this season in three appearances entering the game, won for the fourth time in four career games against Chicago. He faced 26 shots in the first two periods, but only 10 in the third.
Turris tied it 6:23 into the second period, rapping Wojtek Wolski's short pass by goalie Marty Turco. Wolski faked defenseman Nick Boynton to open up the passing lane and free Wolski for the shot.
Eric Belanger made it 2-1 at 6:58 by slapping the puck into the net over Turco's right shoulder on a 2-on-1. Belanger took a loose puck at center ice and raced down the right side before shooting.
The outburst by the Coyotes, who took 22 shots, more than answered the game-opening goal by Chicago's Brian Bickell. His wrist shot through a double screen 9:22 into the first period and caromed off Phoenix defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and past LaBarbera.
The best chance for Chicago after Phoenix took the lead was a deep-angle shot by Tomas Kopecky midway through the third period. LaBarbera hugged the left-wing post and steered it away.
NOTES: Chicago coach Joel Quenneville shifted Patrick Kane from right to left wing, pairing him with center Tomas Koepcky and right wing Marian Hossa. Kane was held to one shot. ... Through 15 games, Phoenix is three points behind its pace of last season, when it made the playoffs for the first time since 2002. ... Phoenix forward Shane Doan missed his third consecutive game because of a lower-body injury.
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