NEW YORK, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Erik Christensen's shootout goal completed a New York rally Thursday and gave the Rangers a 4-3 decision over Phoenix.
Christensen was the first player on the ice in the shootout and Martin Biron made his goal stand up to bring the Rangers their third straight victory.
New York faced a 3-1 deficit before Brandon Prust scored shorthanded on a wraparound with 6 seconds remaining in the middle period. Derek Stepan tied it with 5:43 to go in the third.
Biron made 25 saves and blanked Phoenix after Martin Hanzal produced a power-play goal midway through the second.
The Coyotes found themselves down to one goaltender when Ilya Bryzgalov became ill with the flu earlier in the day. That put Jason LaBarbera in goal for Phoenix, but NHL rules require a team to dress two goaltenders for every game and the Coyotes could not get a backup from its minor league affiliate in Texas to New York in time for the contest.
In a desperation move, Phoenix signed former collegiate goalie Tom Fenton as its No. 2 netminder for one game. Fenton is in charge of community relations at Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y.
LaBarbera made 25 saves in the loss.
