GLENDALE, Ariz., March 11 (UPI) -- Adrian Aucoin scored the last of four consecutive Phoenix shootout goals Wednesday, giving the Coyotes a 4-3 win over Vancouver.
The overtime game finally brought an end to the longest road trip in the history of the NHL. The Canucks played for the 14th consecutive time away from home -- their last contest in Vancouver coming on Jan. 27, almost two weeks before the start of the Winter Olympics.
Vancouver goaltender Andrew Raycroft had a chance to send the Coyotes home a winner, needing only to stop Radim Vrbata on the third Phoenix shootout attempt. Vrbata, however, scored to tie the shootout and that was followed by goals from Lee Stempniak, Shane Doan and Aucoin.
Vancouver was able to answer the goals by Stempniak and Doan, but Mason Raymond was stopped by Phoenix goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov after Aucoin's score.
Stempniak tallied twice in regulation and gave Phoenix a 3-2 lead just 35 seconds into the third period. Vancouver tied it a minute later on a wrist shot by Christian Ehrhoff.
