Richardson's two goals help Coyotes top Flames

CALGARY -- Brad Richardson scored twice in the third period and Louis Domingue made 24 saves to help the Arizona Coyotes to a 4-1 win against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday.
Boyd Gordon and Antoine Vermette scored for the Coyotes (29-32-7), who end a two-game losing streak. Arizona, 2-8-1 in its past 11 games, trails the Colorado Avalanche by nine points for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.

"We kind of know the situation we're in, but we're trying to push, trying to become a better team," Richardson said. "There's a lot of young guys here that are kind of learning their way. These are big games for all of us. We're trying to get better as a team and grow as a group."
Mikael Backlund scored and Joni Ortio made 22 saves for the Flames (28-35-5).
"It's one of those games, especially against them, it's always tight-checking and you know you're not going to get a ton of chances and you have to capitalize on them," Calgary coach Bob Hartley said. "We hit a post, we had a couple chances that went wide off rebounds where Domingue was beaten. We were not sharp enough around the other team's net."

Vermette broke a 1-1 tie 3:15 into the third period on the power play, tapping a feed from Martin Hanzal by Ortio to finish a three-way passing play started by Shane Doan.
"It was an area we talked about between the second and third," Vermette said. "Our power play needed to be generating a little more, a little better execution. I thought on that play, our entry was pretty good. We executed a few tight plays and eventually we used the width of the ice. I thought it was a great play by [Hanzal] to see me backdoor."
The goal came after Domingue stopped Michael Frolik's deke in tight with his pad a minute earlier. He also made consecutive saves midway through the third period on a shot by defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka from the high slot and Backlund's rebound attempt.
Richardson gave Arizona a 3-1 lead at 14:18. Ortio stopped Doan's initial shot on a 2-on-1 setup by Max Domi, but Richardson knocked in the rebound. He scored his second of the game and ninth of the season into an empty net with 1:41 remaining.
"When you're up by one you always want to get the next one and put them out of the game," Richardson said. "That was definitely nice. It's always good to score."

The game was the first for Calgary defenseman Dennis Wideman since Jan. 27. Wideman was suspended 20 games for conduct that violated Rule 40 (Physical Abuse of Officials), stemming from a collision with linesman Don Henderson. Independent arbitrator James Oldham reduced the suspension to 10 games earlier Friday. Wideman had served 19 games of the suspension.
"First and foremost, I just want to wish Donnie Henderson a speedy recovery," Wideman said. "I realize that he's still working through his injuries and trying to make his way back and I hope to see him back out on the ice as soon as possible.
"Going forward, I'm just excited that I'm back playing. It's good to get a game under my belt tonight. Going forward, these will be my last comments on this, and I'm just excited to get back and get playing and help the Flames win some games here."
Backlund gave the Flames a 1-0 lead 21 seconds into the second period with a shorthanded goal. Frolik forced Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone into a turnover in the neutral zone before leading a 2-on-1 and finding Backlund for a tap-in. Backlund has 10 goals in his past 18 games after scoring five times through the first 50 games this season.
Gordon tied the game with another shorthanded goal. He blocked a shot by defenseman Dougie Hamilton that created a 2-on-1 rush, then finished by knocking a pass from Jordan Martinook out of midair and by Ortio at 15:01.
"I was a slap hitter playing baseball, but it was kind of a good height and I was able to get good wood on it and chip it over his glove," Gordon said.
The Flames continue their six-game homestand against the St. Louis Blues on Monday. The Coyotes complete a four-game road trip at the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.