Stronso

New line picking up points








Tim Tyers
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 10, 2003 12:00 AM










Coyotes report
CHEERS


Despite playing their third game in four nights, the Coyotes came away with a much-needed point.


JEERS


Three Coyotes fell asleep at the switch, and goalie Zac Bierk compounded problems by allowing Steve Rucchin a first-period short-handed goal.


OUR THREE STARS


1. Petr Sykora, Mighty Ducks, nine shots, game-winning goal.


2. Steve Rucchin, Mighty Ducks, short-handed goal.


3. Ladislav Nagy, Coyotes, third goal in two nights.

ANAHEIM - With winger Mike Johnson out for three to six months due to shoulder surgery, coach Bobby Francis has had to reconstruct his lines. One of the more intriguing has Czech native Jan Hrdina centering Slovakians Ladislav Nagy and Branko Radivojevic.

The line produced five points in Saturday's overtime win over Anaheim. Nagy, who had two goals and an assist in that game and the Coyotes' lone goal in Sunday's overtime loss to the Mighty Ducks, is off to the fastest start in his young career with a team-leading eight goals and 16 points in 14 games. Most of that production came alongside Johnson and Daymond Langkow, but Nagy admits he enjoys playing the passing game Europeans are raised on.

"Yeah, but we tried too much passing in Phoenix on (Saturday)," Nagy said. "We have to shoot more. In overtime, I had an open shot and passed it to Hrdina when I should have shot it.

"We tried playing this line last year for a few games, and it worked well. I like it. Hrdina is a great player who sets me up with good passes, and Branko works hard in the corner. I like playing with those guys."



Back-to-back Burke


The Coyotes have played back-to-back games three times this season, and each time, starting goalie Sean Burke has not started in goal for one of the two games.

But Burke was pressed into action Sunday night when Zac Bierk was injured. Playing their third game in four nights, the Coyotes were hoping to give their 37-year-old goalie the day off.

"I don't mind playing in back-to-back games," Burke said before Sunday's game. "In fact, I like them because I usually play very well on that second night.

"But this is kind of a bad three games in four nights. We play in Colorado on Thursday, don't practice on Friday and - boom - play again on Saturday; and now we're playing (Sunday) in less than 24 hours."



Ouch


Winger Brian Savage missed 39 games last year due to injuries, and he missed five games this year when a shot from teammate Paul Mara broke his thumb. On Saturday night, a shot from teammate Chris Gratton hit him squarely on the foot.

"I must have a target on my body; I'm attracting pucks everywhere. It's unbelievable," Savage said.

__________________