A white out in Phoenix for game 3 - with white Coyotes t-shirts being placed on every chair before the game to try and intimediate Detroit and help the crowd get this Phoenix team back into the series.
Jimmy Howard started this game in goal for the Redwings, having posted stats so far of 2.50 GAA and a save percentage of 0.918%, Bryzgalov with a GAA of 4.09 and a save percentage of 0.881%.
It only took the Redwings 1.54 to get infront in this game. Helm chased the puck down into the corner and checked Jovanovski off the puck. In the same move he passed the puck righ across the front of the net and to Salei at the point who fired it into the goal. Bryzgalov didn't even flinch as the puck went past him, struggling to see where the puck was.
Detroit built on this lead immediately. Another puck was played out of the corner to the point and a wrist shot was put on net by ... This was tipped by Miller infront and Detroit found themselves with the perfect start. The goal timed at 2.41.
Phoenix created 2 big chances around the 14 minute mark with Howard producing a brilliant kick save off a blast from Belanger and then gettin his body infront of a shot from Schlemko infront of the net.
Both teams had managed to get rid of their discipline problems of the previous game, with the only penalties through the first 15 minutes being on Aucoin for interference and Eaves for roughing early at 6.24
However, Doan needlessly got 2 minutes for a cross check on Lidstrom after the whistle had gone, giving Detroit the first powerplay with 2.31 left in the 1st. The Coyotes killed this off and went into the 2nd period 2 goals down.
1.15 into the 2nd and Phoenix were unlucky not to pull one back. First it was Rosival blasting the puck past Howard but seeing it rattle off the post and then then puck got in behind Howard again after a scramble infront but the play was cleared away by the Detroit defence.
Detroit took full advantage of these missed opportunites and went 3 up at 2.50. Filppula winning an offensive zone face off, the puck ending on Hudler's stick in the corner and his feed back to Filppula infront was inch perfect, giving him an easy shot past a sprawling Bryzgalov.
Detroit then went immediately on their 2nd powerplay of the game. Phoenix really didn't want to give Detroit another chance straight after going 3-0 down but Hanzal was called for roughing at 3.12
This was killed of by Phoenix and led to an extended amount of time without a whistle, around 6 minutes. The Coyotes managed to build some pressure in this time and Detroit had Abdelkader sent to the box for hooking at 9.50 to give a previously lethal powerplay their 1st chance of the game.
With 7 seconds left Schlemko managed to fire the puck high over the shoulder of Jimmy Howard at 11.43 to pull the Phoenix back into this game. 4th Liners Boedker and Turris stepped up to the powerplay line and both got assists on the goal, the Coyotes going with the players that have been creating the best chances all series on the powerplay.
A big hit by Helm on Schlemko saw the Coyotes man limp off down the tunnel towards the end of the period, the defenceman ok to return in the 3rd.
Only 45 seonds into the 3rd period the Redwings hammered another nail into the coffin of the Coyotes.
A pass from his own blue line saw Franzen skate easily inbetween the 2 Coyotes players back and he shot the puck from the hash marks high past Bryzgalov, who didn't even move on the play.
The Coyotes then follow conceeding the goal by giving away another powerplay straight after. A cross check by Belanger at 1.03. This was killed and Phoenix had the next powerplay chance themselves, Miller going for a slash on Yandle at 4.26
Eaves was the next player down the tunnel for treatment after an incidental blindside hit by Pyatt, the Coyotes player seemingly trying to avoid the Redwings player but just making some contact with the player around the head. No call was made and probably the right decision.
Phoenix picked up another powerplay chance wih 7.45 left, Holmstrom going for slashing and they really needed a goal to try and give themselves a chance of getting back into the game. They got exactly that with Ray Whitney hitting a slap shot from the wing that for once didn't buy itself into the midrift of Howard and the puck hit Salei and went into the net. Time of the goal was 13.00.
The final 7 minutes of the game seem to peter out with Phoenix just not being able to create any good, clear cut chances to reduce the deposit and the Redwings held on firm to see the game out 4-2. They now lead the series 3-0 and will give themselves a chance of a long break before round 2 if they can finish it off in game 4.
Phoenix need to find a way to score 5 on 5. All of their goals in game 2 and 3 came on the powerplay and they need to find scoring from somewhere else. They also need to stop giving away early goals in periods. They are giving Detroit the advantage from the start of games by conceeding early and then killing any renewed enthusiam a period break can bring by letting in further goals within 3 minutes of them.
Bryzgalov needs to bring his A game to game 4 and beyond. He can't afford anymore substandard performances.
Detroit just need everyone to keep playing like they are. They are getting scoring from a multi tude of players and this was their 56th consecutive win when scoring 4 goals or more.
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