Coyotes Outlast Nashville in 10 Round Shootout to Win 1-0

There weren't very many offensive highlights in Nashville tonight, but that didn't keep the Predators or the Coyotes from making this game as exciting as possible. Both Ilya Bryzgalov and Pekka Rinne made some incredible saves and both defenses played extremely well. Zbynek Michalek pulled on Nashville try out from the crease as it went toward the net as well pretty much saving the game as the game went 65 minutes without anyone getting a goal. That's the 4th time that's happened in the league this year, and the second time the Coyotes have been involved. (Also won against San Jose)

The shootout went practically the same way as the rest of the game. Lauri Korpikoski scored in the second round, but David Legwand would get the equalizer at the end of the 3rd round. Neither goalie would allow another score until Adrian Aucoin put a hard one past Rinne in the front part of the 10th round. Shea Weber missed the net completely on the following try to give the Coyotes their 5th straight win.

With the Sommet Center hosting a WWE event the night before the ice was apparently really bad all night and it showed. neither team could control the puck all that well and there were a lot of weak shots from the puck just not being where players figured it would be. After the game Adrian Aucoin actually said it was the worst ice he's played on in the whole time he's been in the NHL. From someone that's played in Phoenix and in Los Angeles, that's really saying something.

Vernon Fiddler played a great game in front of his former home crowd and was all over the ice. Peter Mueller was playing a much better game after being moved up into Scottie Upshall's first line slot. He was digging in the corners and actually skating really hard. Hopefully it's not a short term thing. Several opportunities on both sides were stopped by both goalies just being able to see the puck everywhere.

The Coyotes next play on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago.