Post Game: Game #17 Oilers 3 Coyotes 2 (SO)

1ST PERIOD
PHX Chipchura 2 (Johnson, Bissonnette) 5:23

2ND PERIOD
PHX Lombardi 1 (Boedker, Korpikoski) 9:42 PP
EDM Eberle 6 (Yakupov, Gagner) 16:22

3RD PERIOD
EDM Hartikainen 1 (Smyth, J.Schultz) 8:04 PP

OT
No Scoring

Shootout
Phoenix
Mikkel Boedker Miss
David Rundblad Miss

Edmonton
Sam Gagner Goal
Jordan Eberle Goal

Phoenix
Mike Smith 41/43

Edmonton
Nikolai Khabibulin 34/36

Game Notes:
- It amazing how much difference a goal makes in the game of hockey. The Oilers have been having issues getting that dreaded 2nd goal of the game, hence leaving a lot of points on the table. This time, Teemu Hartikainen got that elusive 2nd goal which forced overtime where enabled the Oilers to win in a shootout. That was a much needed comeback win for the Oilers. The Oilers peppered Phoenix goaltender Mike Smith with 43 shots, he was up to the task a lot of the night, but the volume of shots wore down the Coyotes much like it did to the Avalanche last Saturday night. The Oilers survived their first game without Taylor Hall as Phoenix went into a defensive shell pretty early in this game. But that shell turned into prevent defense and once the Oilers tied the game, they had the leverage. Now the Oilers head out on a 9 game road trip all over the midwest. To give you an idea how long this road trip is, they play in Chicago in games #1 and #8 on the road trip. So the Oilers survived for today and live to fight another day. The Oilers are a constant work in progress but there is small signs of growth in many of the players. The Oilers didn't give up on the game and were rewarded for it.

Player Of The Game:
- Jordan Eberle RW - Eberle has found himself in the GOTG a couple of times recently, its good to see him back on this side of the ledger. Scored the much needed opening goal near the end of the 2nd period and tallied the clinching shootout goal on a deft move. Had 4 shots and was +1 on the afternoon. Good to see Eberle havse some puck luck this afternoon as the well was getting pretty dry in terms of scoring chances coming from him. Sam Gagner get an honorable mention for having a solid game himself. Gagner had 6 shots on goal and went back to his sly signature move on the shootout.

Goat Of The Game:
- Nick Schultz D - Nick Schultz took a double minor high sticking penalty that ended up in Phoenix tallying their 2nd goal of the game. The timing of the penalty was a tough one as the Oilers were already down 1-0 and under siege for most of the game up to that point. The Oilers only gave up on that penalty and allowed the Oielrs to starting chiselling away at the defecit. Nick Schultz was trying to absorb a hit he was receiving from David Moss but ended up slapping him in the nose with his stick. A careless penalty but one I can understand as Schultz was merely trying to protect himself.

Next Game - Monday February 25, 2013 vs. Black Hawks @ Chicago on Sportsnet West 6:30 PM MT.