It was another tightly contested affair for the Phoenix Coyotes on Sunday night, but unfortunately for the Yotes, they came out on the losing end of this one.
In a game that saw a final score of 2-1, it's hard to believe how much the Coyotes really were outplayed by the Blackhawks at Jobing.com Arena.
While they didn't mount too many serious scoring chances, the Hawks controlled the puck for the majority of the game, while the Coyotes struggled to piece together steady play.
The game's first goal came with less than a minute left in the first period, courtesy of Duncan Keith. With Eric Belanger in the box for a high stick, Keith slapped one past Ilya Bryzgalov for the 1-0 lead.
Phoenix would come out better in the second period, firing 14 shots on goal, compared to the four they managed in the first. The Yotes' lone goal of the game came with less than two to go in the period. Belanger's shot deflected off of Hawks defenseman Nick Leddy, leaving Corey Crawford with no chance of stopping it.
The game's third period would prove to be very similar to the first. Chicago held the puck throughout the period, leaving Phoenix with little opportunity to mount a scoring chance.
The Coyotes registered just five shots on goal in the game's final frame, less than the nine the Blackhawks would manage, only one of which would matter.
On their second power play of the game, on a Shane Doan holding call, new Hawk Chris Campoli slapped a pass from Jonathan Toews past Bryzgalov with the lead, and what would eventually be the game winner.
The loss doesn't cost the Coyotes a spot in the standings, but does cause them to drop three points below the San Jose Sharks for third in the West. The good news with that is that they are still three points ahead of Chicago for that fourth spot in the West.
Phoenix will look to rebound, and gain ground on the Sharks, when they host the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.