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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Columbus Blue Jackets have made
Nationwide Arena an unfriendly place for opponents lately.
Steve Heinze tapped in Geoff Sanderson's pass from the corner
midway through the second period and added an assist to send the
expansion Blue Jackets past Phoenix 2-1 Saturday night, ending the
Coyotes' eight-game road unbeaten streak.
|  | | Sean Burke made 33 stops for Phoenix, but had his career-high nine-game undefeated streak snapped. |
For the first time in the franchise's 17-game history, the Blue
Jackets have their first winning streak. Columbus has won its last
two at home.
"The way we win games that's an indicator. I don't think this
team will ever be complacent," said Columbus coach Dave King.
After an 0-4-0-1 start at home, the Blue Jackets have gone 4-1
since. The team's attitude has improved, Blue Jackets goalie Ron
Tugnutt said.
"Early on, we didn't think we had to win games because we're a
first-year team," Tugnutt said. "Then we had a couple of close
games and realized we could win some games."
The loss was the Coyotes' second in a row after having their
12-game unbeaten streak (7-0-5) snapped Wednesday against Detroit.
Phoenix, 4-0-4 in its last eight on the road, would have tied
the franchise mark for longest unbeaten road stretch
Tugnutt, 3-1-1 in his last five starts, made 24 saves and has
given up only nine goals in his last five games.
"We're just going to keep going with him because he's playing
well," King said. "Players are confident with him."
Coyotes goalie Sean Burke, who made 33 stops, had his
career-high nine-game undefeated streak (5-0-4-0) snapped.
"The way they played made it difficult," Phoenix coach Bob
Francis said. "They slowed the game down and shut us down really
well. They are very disciplined and we played like we were waiting
for things to happen."
Columbus has played well against good teams. Phoenix came into
the game with the second-most points in the Western Conference. Two
nights earlier, the Blue Jackets put an end to San Jose's nine-game
unbeaten streak.
With the Blue Jackets on the power play, Heinze put Columbus
ahead 2-1 when he tipped in Sanderson's feed.
It was Heinze's first goal in six games and fourth of the
season, giving him his second consecutive multiple-point game.
Sanderson extended his point streak to four games.
Travis Green tied it 1-1 two minutes earlier on a one-timer from
the slot at 7:59.
Columbus rookie David Vyborny scored his fifth goal of the
season and first in nine games to open the scoring 7:39 in.
Vyborny, who flubbed his original attempt from the slot on
Heinze's centering pass, had enough time to smack his second try
through Burke's pads.
The Blue Jackets scored first in four of their five wins and
haven't lost when leading after two periods (4-0-1).
But it was Heinze's power-play goal that provided the
difference.
"We won the specialty game which we haven't for a while," King
said. "We played real smart. When you're in a power-play drought,
it's a real downer for the guys -- you think you can't score. But
tonight we thought we could score."
Game notes
The game was the third of a four-game homestand for
Columbus and first of a three-game road trip for Phoenix. ... Blue
Jackets captain Lyle Odelein played against his former team for the
first time since being selected in the expansion draft. ...
Columbus has been outscored 24-7 in the second period. Phoenix has
outscored its opponents 24-11. ... The Blue Jackets have allowed
three or fewer goals in 10 of their 17 games, including seven of
10.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Phoenix Clubhouse
Columbus Clubhouse
RECAPS
Philadelphia 4
Ottawa 3
Nashville 2
Boston 2
Dallas 2
Montreal 0
San Jose 4
NY Islanders 0
Chicago 3
Toronto 3
Columbus 2
Phoenix 1
Buffalo 4
New Jersey 0
Pittsburgh 5
Edmonton 2
Calgary 4
Tampa Bay 3
Colorado 3
Anaheim 1
St. Louis 5
Vancouver 2
Detroit 2
Los Angeles 2
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