PHOENIX, March 3 (UPI) -- Sean Burke recorded 24 saves Sunday night as the Phoenix Coyotes opened a critical five-game homestand with a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Burke was especially sharp in the second period, when the Coyotes killed a two-man disadvantage for a full two minutes. He had six saves in the first period, 10 in the second and eight in the third.
Ladislav Nagy and Daniel Briere scored in the first period, giving Phoenix a 2-0 lead.
Just five seconds after the Coyotes killed off the second of two penalties, Nagy fired a one-timer from the right circle past Ron Tugnutt at the 6:34 mark.
With 3:31 left in the period, a wide-open Briere redirected a centering pass past Tugnutt low to the left side.
Burke lost his shutout bid 9:07 into the third period when Brett Harkins grabbed a loose puck in the slot and blasted a slap shot underneath the crossbar.
Tugnutt stopped 21 shots for the Blue Jackets, who dropped to 0-4-1 all-time in Phoenix. They have just three wins in their last 16 road contests.
