The Wrap: Coyotes Rally Comes Up Just Short Against Ducks

Arizona Coyotes coach André Tourigny said the team enjoyed its trip to Tucson - the only thing missing was a come-from-behind victory.
Liam O'Brien scored and Christian Fischer added a late goal, but the Coyotes' third-period rally came up just short as they fell 3-2 to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday at Tucson Arena. It was the team's second preseason game in Tuscon - the first was exactly five years ago on Sept. 25, 2017, also against the Ducks.
Goalies Karel Vejmelka and Anson Thornton split time in net for Arizona, with Vejmelka stopping 15 of 18 shots through two periods of play, while Thornton was 6-for-6 in the third period.

Isac Lundestrom, Pavol Regenda, and Tristan Luneau each scored for Anaheim, which was playing in its first preseason game of the season.
"I hope we would have won the game, but I like the way the guys fought back in the game," Tourigny said. "I wish we would have tied the game at the end, but that was good to be in front of our fans, and our people, and we look forward to coming back."
O'Brien gave the Coyotes an early 1-0 lead after scoring 7:13 into the first period, sniping a wrist shot past Ducks netminder Lukas Dostal. Anaheim responded with two goals three minutes apart late in the period, and added another in the second to pad its lead.

Fischer's goal with 1:25 remaining pulled the Coyotes to within one, but they weren't able to get the equalizer before time expired.
Tourigny said after the game that O'Brien, who always
brings a tough-nosed, gritty style
of play to the rink, stood out on Sunday.
"He had toughness, he hit hard, he was our best player today," Tourigny said. "I expect energy like he brought today, he did a really good job."
The 28-year-old forward has eight points in 68 career NHL games, spent with the Washington Capitals, Colorado Avalanche, and the Coyotes last season. His tenacity and grittiness is frequently something on display, but on Sunday his offense also stood out.
That's not to say he lost his edge.
"I think that's just part of our team DNA," O'Brien said. "That's who we want to be, we want to be hard to play against."

After going a perfect 2-for-2 on the power play in yesterday's game
against the St. Louis Blues
, Arizona was 0-for-2 on Sunday. Anaheim was 1-for-3 with the man advantage.
The Coyotes outshot the Ducks 27-24 in the game.
"I think we started really strong, we had a good first period," Tourigny said. "Second and third we were not in sync. I think for whatever reason we were not winning enough battles, but at the end of the day all of those guys fight for a job, an improved role, or a job in the NHL, so it's all about evaluation."
Sunday's game marked the second (and final) preseason game in which Arizona was listed as the home team following Saturday's game in Wichita, Kan. The crowd brought the same flare it displays at Tucson Roadrunners games, the Coyotes' AHL affiliate, and they were vocal until the very end.
O'Brien enjoyed the team's trip to Tucson, even if the end result wasn't what he had hoped for.

"It was great, the crowd was great," O'Brien said. "It was nice to see a lot of Coyotes jerseys in the stands."
The Coyotes' next preseason game is Tuesday against the Dallas Stars at BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 pm MST.