The Phoenix Coyotes lost to the San Jose Sharks 4-1 Saturday night.

The Sharks came out with the expected intensity to avenge the earlier losses they suffered against the Coyotes. Defenseman Keith Ballard along with the Mike Zigomanis, Kevyn Adams, and Fredrik Sjostrom line did their best to keep the Coyotes in the game. Ballard challenged Patrick Marleau to a fight holding his own, and the Coyotes limited the shots from the Sharks to three. The Sharks were able to capitalize on a defensive breakdown as Ryane Clowe was left alone in the slot in front of Joseph and he scored the opening goal.

The Coyotes took over in the second as the Sharks started skating on their heels. Shane Doan tied the game at one in the second period on a power play, but that would end the scoring for the Coyotes.

The Sharks regained the lead from another goal by Clowe, his second of the evening.

In the opening seconds of the third period, Matt Carle redeems himself coming back to the team after his demotion to Worcester by scoring an insurance goal increasing the Sharks lead to three.

The Coyotes had their chances to come back from behind but after having a power play that clicked for 12-40 since December 23, they were not able to capitalize on the three chances following the power play goal by Doan. Midway through the third period, Defenseman Ed Jovanovski took a high stick by Milan Michalek, but the Coyotes could not take advantage of the incredible opportunity on the double minor penalty.

That was the turning point of the game.

Keith Ballard continually shows his value to the team as threw every kind of hip check and taking Marleau off the ice in an altercation. However, it did not spark the team enough for them to win.

The line of Zigomanis, Adams, and Sjostrom also shows what they are capable of as a unit. Adams has fit in quite nicely.

Even though Joseph was clearly disappointed in letting in the fourth goal by Jonathan Cheechoo, the loss cannot be pinned squarely on him. The offense of the Coyotes has not returned from the long road trip.

Patrick Fischer was added to the lineup in favor of Jeremy Roenick and Josh Gratton, however, my school of thought is if it isn't broken, don't fix it. Roenick should have been in the lineup as Fischer was clearly a step behind.

Georges Laraque had been playing very well, but he has since cooled off. In the game on Saturday night, he was a physical presence, but offensively, he looked like he thought too much. When he had the puck, and tried to muscle his way around the net to start cycling the puck, he hesitated and just could not go. The game and system is the same, no matter who is on the line, but there can be something said for chemistry.

Late roughing penalties sealed the final fate for the Coyotes as their discipline waned.

When Josh Gratton is out of the lineup, the Coyotes are 4-14-1.

My wife and I met Scott Cason (from CasonBlog) and his son for the game. Hockey night in Glendale, Arizona, included a great sport, great beer, and above all else, great company. It's just too bad the Coyotes could not win one.

Original post by PB and software by Elliott Back

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