GLENDALE, Ariz., Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Eric Belanger scored midway through the third period Saturday night when the Minnesota Wild downed the Phoenix Coyotes 3-2.
The center scored his third goal in the new season at 10:35 of the third to break a 2-2 tie and put Minnesota in front for good.
Benoit Pouliot and Mikko Koivu also scored once each, and goalie Niklas Backstrom gave up two goals on 27 saves for the Wild, who overcame their first loss, a 4-2 decision at Dallas Wednesday.
Phoenix got two goals from Olli Jokinen, one on the power play in the first period and the other shorthanded in the second.
Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov surrendered three goals on 33 shots for the Coyotes, who have split their last four games.
Phoenix went 1-for-4 on the power play, and Minnesota was 0-for-2.
