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Video: Vrbata Completes Phoenix Comeback With Lucky Goal

Mar 19, 2010 – 9:28 AM
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Adam Gretz

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The Phoenix Coyotes erased a 3-0 third period deficit on Thursday night in Florida and managed to walk away with a 4-3 win. Their win, combined with San Jose's loss in Vancouver, pulls the Coyotes to within just three points of the top spot in the Western Conference.

After Martin Hanzal and Lee Stempniak started the comeback early in the third period -- Stempniak's goal was his seventh in seven games since joining Phoenix at the trade deadline -- Radim Vrbata completed it with one minute remaining in regulation.

As he carried the puck to the red line, Vrbata simply dumped it into the Florida zone and watched as it took a couple of bounces, and somehow found its way behind Panthers goaltender Tomas Vokoun.



Vokoun is one of the best goalies in the league -- he currently has the second best save percentage in the NHL -- but that's one he would obviously like to forget.

Vrbata would later get the game-winning goal in the shootout. With the win, Phoenix set a franchise record for wins in a season with 44, and opened up a seven-point lead over the Colorado Avalanche for the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference, which would give them home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
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