More photos » Paul Connors - AP

2 months ago: New York Islanders goalie Dwayne Roloson, right, makes a pad save on a shot from Phoenix Coyotes left winger Shane Doan, left, in the shootout period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. The Islanders won 5-4. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

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Last night's game had just about everything you could ask for in a game, well except for a fight. The Coyotes got off to a nice start, dominating the first 10 minutes of the game and getting the quick goal. Then things just started getting out of hand. The Coyotes got back on their heels thinking they would control this game. The islanders struck back late in the first with two goals by Blake Comeau and Kyle Okposo. The Okposo goal was a little odd though as a major penalty was called against the Coyotes which usually aren't a delayed call, but  stops the game. It seems as though Ed Jovanovski lowered a shoulder on John "You're Not Allowed to Touch Me!" Tavares who got bloodied. On the replay it looked like Jovo was attempting to get around his own guy to try and cover the play, as he was being backed into, and it was an unlucky hit. The refs saw things differently however and booted Jovo from the game with just a few seconds left in the 1st and gave him a 5 minute major.

The Coyotes were shorthanded for another 4:44 to start the 2nd period, but since Jovanovski got booted they Yotes started with the penalty box empty in anticipation of a stoppage at some point. However, no one could seem to get the puck frozen or get it to the goalie to get the 5th man on after the penalty expired. In fact the Coyotes couldn't get a stop until a penalty nearly 8 minutes into the period and that came at the expense of Martin Hanzal taking an iffy slashing call that seemed like it was a bit more the other way around. The Islanders' player was the one with the broken stick, so they got the whistle. Then during the power play the refs blew another penalty for a phantom trip on Keith Yandle making it 5-on-3. After killing off 8+ minutes of penalty though, the Isles were able to score two more while the Coyotes were on the kill to go up 4-1. Ilya Bryzgalov got chased and Jason LaBarbera came in in relief. LaBarbera looked good for the remainder of the 2nd period making clean saves and giving the team in front of him a little bit of confidence going into the locker room.

I'm not entirely sure what happened in the locker room, reports have Captain Shane Doan laying into the team a little bit, but the Coyotes came out motivated in the 3rd.  On what should be a regular way to play for the Coyotes, Paul Bissonette, who's played well of late, got a close up shot on Dwayne Roloson and crashed the net for the rebound, scoring for just the 3rd time this year. He's looked hungry lately though so It was a good payoff. That really got things going for the Coyotes as they picked it up even more. They got a huge break when Bruno Gervais got a 4 minute high sticking penalty. The Coyotes were quick to take advantage as Taylor Pyatt scored :49 seconds into the the powerplay on a quick wrister. That still left 2 minutes on the PP which the Coyotes used to tie it up on Peter Mueller's 2nd goal of the season. Maybe now he can finally wake up. The crowd was going crazy at this point as the Coyotes seemed as though they would just lay down but instead fought back. Unfortunately the Dogs couldn't finish it as in the shootout they came up just short.

It wasn't the best game, but at least the 3rd period was something we could build on to get out of the short funk we've been in. We'll need to snap out of it soon as we have the Sharks and Devils coming up this week and 3 more games after that on this homestand.