Dvorak's big night lifts Coyotes over Sharks

*Photo from the Press Democrat*

   Arizona Coyotes forward Christian Dvorak had a rather good game Friday night against the San Jose Sharks. Dvorak scored two goals, Phil Kessel added a goal, and the Coyotes topped the Sharks with a 5-2 win on Friday night, getting closer to playoff position.

   Dvorak started the scoring 6:20 into the first, giving the Coyotes a 1-0 lead early. In the second period, Tomas Hertl scored short handed for the Sharks, and Nick Schmaltz scored for Arizona, making it 2-1 in favor of the Coyotes after two periods. In the 3rd, Dvorak, Dryden Hunt, and Kessel all scored for the Coyotes, and Patrick Marleau scored for the Sharks, making it 5-2.

   Schmaltz said of the win that "It's always nice to see everyone getting on the board. It builds your team's confidence, individuals get more confidence, and that can only help us. I thought we were really good tonight. We weren't forcing too many plays. We were making the plays when they were there."

   Adin Hill started the game for the Coyotes, earning the win in a low workload night. Hill saved 20 shots out of 22 that came his way in the victory. Hill's record increased to 3-3-1 in limited action, while the Coyotes sit only a few points back of a playoff spot, with a 15-14-5 record, 5th in the West Division. 

   Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said of the win that "I think every line contributed tonight. I thought Nick Schmaltz had a really good game, we needed that, he had a lot of energy. I thought Hunt had a lot of energy, he scored that goal. I thought Larsson's line had their moments. And then Garland, Dvorak and Fischer, that line getting that first goal really helped our team. Everybody contributed. I thought the defense did a really nice job of playing north, a little faster."

   Martin Jones was the losing goalie for the Sharks, stopping 23 shots of the 28 that came his way in the losing effort. Jones's record fell to 10-7-2 this season, while the Sharks sit in 7th in the West Division, with a 13-15-4 record this season.

   Sharks coach Bob Boughner said of the loss that "We got off to a slow start and we came to the party a little late. That goal at the end of the second, going into the third 1-1, it might have been a little different. We didn't generate enough offensively. I didn't like our compete in the offensive zone, didn't like our compete all over the ice, to be honest."

   The teams play again tonight on a back to back, with Hill manning goal for the Coyotes, and Devan Dubnyk in goal for the Sharks.