Marian Gaborik had two goals and an assist as
the New York Rangers downed the Phoenix Coyotes, 5-2, at Madison Square
Garden.
The big news for Phoenix, though, came during the game as team owner Jerry
Moyes agreed to sell the franchise to the National Hockey League.
The announcement came Monday during a hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, but
judge Redfield T. Baum must approve the transaction.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly released a statement Monday night about the
pending deal and said if there is no objection the sale will hopefully be
closed next Monday.
Moyes filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May and Blackberry mogul Jim
Balsillie made a pitch to buy the team and move it to Hamilton, Ontario, but
the league wanted to purchase the team and seek out a buyer that would keep
the Coyotes in Glendale.
Vinny Prospal had a goal and two assists while Enver Lisin contributed a goal
and an assist for the Rangers, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Henrik
Lundqvist stopped 30 shots in the win.
Gaborik, who is second in the NHL with 18 points (10 goals, eight assists),
left the game late in the third period with an undisclosed injury. His 10
goals are tied with Los Angeles' Anze Kopitar for the league lead.
Ed Jovanovski had a goal and an assist while Vernon Fiddler added a goal for
the Coyotes, who have dropped their past two games.
Ilya Bryzgalov started the game in net, but was pulled after allowing four
goals on 11 shots. Jason LaBarbera finished the game between the pipes and
gave up one goal on 13 shots.
New York got on the board just 2:31 in as Artem Anisimov's turn-around shot
from the inside right circle got past Bryzgalov.
Skating on the power play, the Rangers made it a 2-0 contest. Brandon Dubinsky
skated down the left wing and went behind the net. As he came out the right
side he sent the puck out front where Gaborik one-timed it home at the 13:09
mark.
The Rangers came out in the second period controlling play and were able to
make it 3-0 at the 6:05 mark. Prospal charged into the zone down the left side
and left a drop pass for Gaborik at the left point. Gaborik dished it back
down for Prospal, who cut to the front of the net and slipped a low backhand
between the pads of Bryzgalov.
New York again used the power play to increase its advantage. Prospal received
a pass at the right point and charged to the net. As the defense skated in on
him to close the lane, Prospal slid the puck over to the right circle for a
wide open Gaborik, who one-timed the puck home at the 7:46 mark.
The goal prompted a goaltending change as LaBarbera was brought in and Phoenix
responded to get back into the game.
With play in the New York end, Shane Doan outworked his defender and was able
to slip the puck out to the right circle where Jovanovski one-timed it home
with 4:13 to play in the second.
Skating shorthanded, Phoenix thoroughly outworked New York in its own zone
which resulted in the puck going to the low right side. Daniel Winnik caught
up to it and slipped the puck under the defender to the front of the net where
Fiddler slipped a wrister past Lundqvist to make it a 4-2 game with 41 seconds
left in the second.
With 8:13 to play in the third, Lisin sealed the win as he skated down the
left wing and blasted a shot from the left circle that beat LaBarbera cleanly
for his third goal of the season.
Game Notes
The Rangers play the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday...Phoenix
continues its three-game road trip in Columbus on Wednesday...The Rangers have
won five of the last six against Phoenix...New York went 2-for-5 on the power
play while Phoenix finished the game 0-for-5.
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