Recap: Ducks Rally Late, Lose 4-3 in Shootout Against Coyotes
by Kyle Shohara @kyleshohara / AnaheimDucks.com
Despite erasing a two-goal deficit in the late stages of regulation, the Ducks came up short in a 4-3 shootout loss against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on Saturday night. But just because it's preseason hockey doesn't mean it lacked entertainment. Nick Ritchie and Chase De Leo turned a 3-1 deficit into a 3-3 tie in the third period to force overtime, which saw both clubs trade quality chances in the five-minute frame.
The only goals in the shootout came from Coyotes forwards Nick Schmaltz and Conor Garland. Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg were the two options for the Ducks. Silfverberg got the Ducks on the board at the 13-minute mark of the middle frame when he pounced on a loose puck in the slot and sent a shot top shelf over Darcy Kuemper's shoulder. Silfverberg's goal tied the game at a goal apiece.
Arizona opened the game's scoring when Michael Bunting converted on a 2-on-1 down low at the 12:09 mark of the first period.
After Silfverberg tied the game, Carl Soderberg converted on the power play at the 15:31 mark of the second period to give the Coyotes a 2-1 lead.
Clayton Keller increased Arizona's lead to 3-1 at the 3:41 mark of the third when he drove wide and snapped a shot from a severe angle that caromed off the crossbar and landed behind the stripe.
John Gibson started the game and finished with 17 saves on 18 shots in 32:49. Kevin Boyle took over and finished with 10 saves on 12 shots in 32 minutes.
The Ducks' preseason resumes Monday night when they travel up to Staples Center for a game against the LA Kings - the first of a rare back-to-back-to-back in exhibition play. They'll host the Sharks and Kings at Honda Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. After that, they'll welcome the Coyotes to Honda Center on Saturday in the preseason finale.