DALLAS, March 21 (UPI) -- Adrian Aucoin's fourth-round shootout goal was the game-winner Sunday, lifting the Phoenix Coyotes to a 3-2 victory over Dallas.
The shootout had been extended to a fourth round when Radim Vrbata's backhander beat Stars netminder Marty Turco. But after Phoenix's Jason LaBarbera made a glove save on Dallas forward Steve Ott, Aucoin netted the decisive goal by firing a wrist shot past Turco's glove.
The surprising Coyotes matched a franchise record with their ninth straight win, originally set by the precursor Winnipeg Jets in 1985. The victory allowed Phoenix to vault past San Jose for first place in the Pacific Division and to tie Chicago atop the Western Conference standings with a franchise-record 97 points.
The Coyotes/Jets franchise has never won a division crown since coming into the NHL from the World Hockey Association in 1979.
Vrbata and Petr Prucha each tallied power-play goals in regulation for the Coyotes, while LaBarbera made 30 saves in the win.
Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson scored for Dallas while Turco made 33 saves.
