Recap: Ducks Come Up Short in 4-3 Shootout Loss Against Coyotes

In a back and forth game between two division rivals, the Ducks came up short in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on Wednesday. It took 26 games into the season for the Ducks to reach the shootout round, and it took four rounds for the game-deciding goal. It came off the stick of Christian Dvorak, who also scored the first two goals for the Coyotes tonight.

After missing on their first two attempts, the Ducks prolonged the shootout when Ondrej Kase's shot deflected off the back of Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper and into the net. But when Ryan Getzlaf came up empty at the top of the fourth round, Dvorak went blocker side on John Gibson to give the Coyotes the extra point.
The game almost didn't reach the shootout when Troy Terry rang a shot off the post in the opening minutes of overtime. Then, the Ducks killed off a full two-minute power play in sudden death to keep their hopes alive.
Tonight, the kids got it done on the score sheet for Anaheim. Scoring his first career NHL goal, 22-year-old Brendan Guhle tied the game 1-1 when his shot from the left point caromed off Coyotes defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin at the 6:22 mark of the first period. With an assist, Getzlaf pushed his point streak to a season-best six straight games (2g/6a). It gave the Ducks captain 15 points (6g/9a) in his last 15 games and his team-leading 20th point of the season.

"There were a few lapses where we weren't playing our game, but other than I thought we played a good game," said Terry. "That's a team that's doing really well right now. If we keep playing like that, we'll get the results. It's tough to lose in the shootout, but that's how it is. There are a lot of positives to take."
Trailing 2-1 in the second period, 21-year-old Sam Steel found the equalizer at the 11:42 mark when he pounced on a rebound in the crease for his second goal of the season. Nick Ritchie earned the primary assist on Steel's goal, giving him 100 career NHL points (38g/62a).

Terry gave the Ducks their only lead of the game at the 10-minute mark of the third when he raced down the wing and sniped a shot shortside on Kuemper for his third goal of the season.

Unfortunately for Anaheim, the Coyotes tied the game 38 seconds later when Alex Goligoski's shot deflected off Hampus Lindholm's back and across the stripe.
The Ducks will return home to open a three-game homestand beginning Friday afternoon against the Winnipeg Jets (1 p.m. PT).
There were a few lapses where we weren't playing our game, but other than I thought we played a good game. That's a team that's doing really well right now.