'Yotes Notes: 'Fun Goal' by Fischer Helps Secure Win Over Caps

GLENDALE --Coyotes rookie Christian Fischer tumbled headfirst into the net after scoring the game-tying goal with just 61 seconds left in regulation on Friday night vs. the Washington Capitals at Gila River Arena.
It wasn't a pretty goal, but it got the job done.
"That's a fun goal to score," Fischer said after Arizona won, 3-2, in overtime to end a seven-game losing streak. "The building was loud after that and it just felt good. We stuck with it the whole game. Overtime was great. We controlled that whole time, kept possession of the puck, and it was just a great game tonight. Obviously, the win was nice. But the way we won was great ... We had a big meeting after the last game trying to figure out why we panic and things go off the rails. Tonight we didn't panic. We knew if we stuck with it we were going to give ourselves a chance to win."

Fischer's goal was his second in two games and his ninth of the season. The first-year power forward ranks second on the team in goals scored behind only Clayton Keller, who has 13. Keller notched the game-winning goal on Friday with just 27 seconds left.
The Coyotes appeared destined for another loss after Evgeny Kuznetzov scored to give the Capitals a 2-1 lead at 4:32 of the third period. But with goalie Scott Wedgewood on the bench for an extra attacker late in regulation, the Coyotes swarmed Washington's zone in desperation. With time winding down, Jason Demers hustled to keep the puck in the zone and took a shot from the right point. Keller, stationed in front of Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer, deflected the puck to the ice, where it slipped behind Grubauer. Fischer, crashing the net from the left wing, jammed it over the line to tie the score.
"I think those are great goals," Head Coach Rick Tocchet said. "(Fischer) has been our most improved player for me since October 1. He does the greasy stuff. He goes to the net. He's not scared to go in the corners, and we need those types of players around here. That's a big goal."
• Keller's goal was his first career overtime goal.
"It was big for us," said Keller, who led all skaters with six shots on goal and extended his point streak to four games. "We came out strong and we didn't give them much and we played our style of hockey. I think that's what happens when we stick with it."

• With the win, the Coyotes upped their record vs. Washington on home ice to 6-0-1 in the past seven games. The Capitals have not defeated Arizona in regulation in Glendale since Jan. 16, 2006.
• The Coyotes dominated the overtime session and out-shot Washington 6-1.
"We had the puck the whole time," Tocchet said. "What I like about that is the concept of the 3-on-3, we haven't had a lot of them, but you take a few shots at the net, couple stabs, and you go for it. But, then you take the puck out and we have fresh bodies in, and that is the reason why we kept the puck. That is a concept that I love. It is a lot of discipline because when guys are out there they want to stay out there and try again and again, but we had some great changes and that is what led to that goal."

• Arizona held Washington to 17 shots on goal, including just two in the first period.
"We played well," Tocchet said. "They only had 17 shots. That is a world-class team. They have hall of famers over there. For me, I like our defensive effort. We played a really responsible game. We cashed in our chances at the end. It was nice to be on the other side of that. I thought the whole team contributed tonight, which was nice."
• Christian Dvorak scored Arizona's first goal at 1:28 of the third period from the right circle during a power play. The goal was the 50th point of Dvorak's career and his third goal vs. Washington in four games.

• Josh Archibald skated 16:11 in his first game as a member of the Coyotes, who acquired him via a trade with Pittsburgh on Dec. 19. Archibald took three shots on goal and delivered two hits.