'Super surreal': Coyotes bid farewell to Arizona with win
The Arizona Coyotes went out on a high note, prevailing 5-2 over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday in what turned out to be the final game of this iteration of the franchise.
The crowd at Mullett Arena in Tempe cheered throughout the final minute, and the Coyotes broadcasters went silent for roughly the final 20 seconds.
The final minute of Arizona Coyotes hockey#Yotes pic.twitter.com/vBNMgQIoHM
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) April 18, 2024
"It was a great atmosphere, and the fans really made it unbelievable," star forward Clayton Keller said, per Coyotes team reporter Patrick Brown. "They've supported us through a lot of ups and downs, and through all the noise they've always had our backs. We're super thankful for that."
The players took turns embracing a veteran team staffer and then gathered at center ice to salute the fans who held on until the end.
After their final game, all of the Arizona Coyotes players lined up to hug longtime equipment manager Stan Wilson 🥹 pic.twitter.com/APcB41vDbU
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 18, 2024
The players also stayed on the ice to give their jerseys to some fans.
Fans getting jerseys off the backs of players in the Coyotes' final game in Arizona, unreal#Yotes pic.twitter.com/miiPnxQjy2
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"It's super surreal," rookie Logan Cooley said. "There were a lot of emotions coming to the rink, and coming to Mullett for the last time. It was a little sad, (I) started my career here. It's pretty special, and the fans showed out so I'm happy we got the win for them."
Defenseman Sean Durzi potted an empty-netter with 4:15 remaining to score the Coyotes' final goal before the franchise relocates. Young phenom Dylan Guenther netted the club's last goal against a netminder, burying a power-play marker just over a minute earlier.
Lawson Crouse, Matias Maccelli, and Liam O'Brien produced the other goals for Arizona.
"It was a great effort," Coyotes head coach Andre Tourigny said. "Those guys were unbelievable. In the toughest environment, against top teams in the league, with a lot of adversity, a lot of questions, a lot of wondering, a lot of worries. ... The way they played, the way they fought, the way they focused on every game, and they played structured, they played with heart, and they played with passion. I'm impressed, and I'm really proud of them."
Sam Carrick and Warren Foegele tallied for the Oilers.
The Coyotes finish the season sitting second last in the Central Division at 36-41-5.
Earlier Wednesday, Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith essentially confirmed the Coyotes' impending move to Salt Lake City and his purchase of the club.
The NHL Board of Governors met Thursday and formally approved the move.