The Arizona Coyotes are continuing to learn more about their rookie goaltender, Karel Vejmelka, and Wednesday night provided another valuable lesson.
Vejmelka made 34 saves, Nick Schmaltz scored twice, including an empty-netter in the final minute, and the Coyotes secured a 5-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken.
“He’s capable of incredible performances,” Arizona coach André Tourigny said. “We had a lot of confidence in him tonight.”
Phil Kessel and Anton Stralman also scored for Arizona, helping build a 3-1 lead, while Alex Galchenyuk added an empty-net goal with 1:37 remaining after Seattle had closed the gap to 3-2. The Coyotes, rebounding from a heavy loss in Vancouver the night before, defeated Seattle for the second time this season.
The Kraken are the only team Arizona has beaten twice this season.
“I thought we did a good job controlling the puck, getting more traffic in front of the net, and creating more chaos in their end,” Schmaltz said. “And our goalie was really good tonight.”
Vejmelka was strong throughout, holding Seattle scoreless through the first two periods and nearly earning his second shutout of the season. Colin Blackwell and Calle Jarnkrok scored for Seattle in the third period, but that was all the Kraken could muster. Kessel and Galchenyuk both finished with a goal and an assist for Arizona.
Vejmelka also had some help from the posts, as shots by Vince Dunn and Mark Giordano hit the post in the first period. However, Vejmelka made key saves when called upon, including robbing Yanni Gourde in the first period and making a lunging stop on Jordan Eberle’s chance during a 2-on-1 break in the second period.
Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer made 22 saves but was left exposed on the three goals he allowed.
“In reality, on each of the three goals tonight, we weren’t sharp, and we weren’t clean with the puck,” said Seattle coach Dave Hakstol.
Kessel opened the scoring with his sixth goal of the season at 4:07 of the first period, capitalizing on a turnover by Adam Larsson and maneuvering around Grubauer to score. Schmaltz added his sixth goal on a breakaway midway through the second period, beating Grubauer high on the glove side.
Blackwell scored 16 seconds into the third period with a rising wrist shot, but Arizona quickly restored their two-goal advantage as Stralman flipped a backhand past Grubauer at 1:52 of the third.
“There were two key plays in the game for me,” Tourigny said. “The save (Vejmelka) made on the odd-man rush in the second period and Stralman’s goal. Those were pivotal moments.”
Game Notes
Seattle claimed defenseman Dennis Cholowski off waivers and assigned him to Charlotte of the AHL. Cholowski was initially selected by Seattle in the expansion draft but was claimed off waivers by Washington in October. … Arizona goalie Scott Wedgewood missed his second straight game. … Galchenyuk now has a point against all 32 NHL teams. … Seattle defenseman Jamie Oleksiak was activated from the injured list but was scratched. Oleksiak (lower body) had missed the previous nine games.
UP NEXT
- Coyotes: Host Tampa Bay on Friday.
- Kraken: Visit Anaheim on Friday.
