NHL: Buffalo 2, Phoenix 1

BUFFALO, N.Y., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Thomas Vanek scored on a power play with 3:53 remaining in the third period Thursday to give Buffalo a 2-1 win over Phoenix.

It was the first loss of the year for the Coyotes, who, after a tumultuous summer involving bankruptcy and a still-unresolved sale of the team, managed to win their first two games.

Goaltenders Jason LaBarbera of Phoenix and Ryan Miller of Buffalo battled through two scoreless periods before Matthew Lombardi put the Coyotes in front 2:37 into the third.

Clarke MacArthur tied it less than two minutes later and Vanek won it with a wrist shot.

LaBarbera, signed to a free-agent contract Wednesday after playing last season with Vancouver, stopped 38 shots.

Buffalo picked up its first win of the season after suffering an overtime loss in its only other outing.