It was déjà vu all over again on Saturday night in the final seconds of game two as the Coyotes gave up a game-tying goal with just 5.5 seconds remaining. They eventually lost the game 4-3 in overtime, evening the series at one game a piece.
After having an off day on Sunday, the Coyotes returned to the ice for practice on Monday before catching a flight to Chicago. The sentiment with the group was that the team remains confident despite the crushing game two loss.
“We want to close games out but at the same time we like the way we’ve played,” said Coyotes captain Shane Doan. “I think in both games they are fortunate to get those goals at the end and we would love to be in the same position tomorrow night.”
Just like how he did not put all his stock after the game one win, Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett is not putting much stock into Game 2 either.
“After Game 1, it wasn’t like we won the series and after Game 2 it wasn’t like we lost the series,” explained Tippett. “It’s down to best of five now and we have to find a way to win three more games.”
The series now shifts to Chicago where the Coyotes had success this season having won both meetings at the United Center. The team is well aware of the ruckus environment that is ahead of them.
“The crowd is electric, you get hyped up for it,” explained Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle. “From the anthem to the end of the game we just got to be on.”
“It’s a lot of fun,” added Coyotes center Antoine Vermette, who leads the team with three goals in the series. “It’s a loud building and people will get pretty intense there.”
The Coyotes will look to take back command of the series in a pivotal Game 3 from Chicago on Tuesday. Puck drops at 6 p.m. local time from the United Center.
For more on the Coyotes, follow Jared Cohen on Twitter at @JaredPros2Preps.
