Coyotes Lose to Ducks in Prospect Showcase Opener

SAN JOSE --Nick Merkley scored a goal and Adin Hill made 34 saves for the Coyotes in a 4-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks in a Prospect Showcase game on Saturday night at Solar4America Ice.
Trailing 1-0, Merkley scored at 19:33 of the first period off a crisp cross-slot pass by Hayden Verbeek to cap a two-on-one rush after two Ducks collided along the far boards. Connor Garland provided the secondary assist.
Forward Jack Kopacka scored two goals and assisted on a third to lead Anaheim.
"We skated hard," said Mike Van Ryn, who is serving as head coach of the Coyotes rookies at this tournament. "I thought we did make some plays and I thought some of our young guys looked pretty good tonight ... I was impressed ... I didn't think it was a 4-1 game by any regards."