Phoenix Coyotes, Revamped and Re-Staffed, Beat the Colorado Avalanche in Last-Second Stunner

​In case you hadn’t noticed — and by all accounts of the team’s attendance, you haven’t — the Phoenix Coyotes are marching toward the playoffs in fine fashion. And last night’s last-second 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche is proof that if you haven’t gone to a Coyotes game yet this year, you should.

After a two-week break for the Olympics, the Coyotes had a chance to get some rest, and the front office had a chance to get to work.

The Coyotes brass made some serious moves on Wednesday, two of which have already paid off in a big way.

The Coyotes picked up seven new players, while giving up little more than forwards Peter Mueller, Kevin Porter, and a bunch of conditional draft picks.

One of the Coyotes new additions, left winger Wojtek Wolski, got to work early and against the team he was a part of until about 48 hours ago.

The Coyotes got Wolski from the Avalanche on Wednesday, and faced the snowmen last night in a fight-to-the-finish victory that gave the Coyotes an extremely helpful win in their   playoffs quest.

Lee Stempniak, whom the Coyotes got from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, scored first for the Coyotes, putting the team up 1-0 early in the first period.

The Avalanche responded late in the second with a power-play goal from John-Michael Liles, which was quickly followed by a scoring stalemate that lasted well into the third period.

With 22 seconds remaining in regulation and overtime on the horizon, Wolski sneaked one by Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson to put the Coyotes up 2-1.

An empty-net goal by Coyotes forward Radim Vrbata was the nail in the coffin for the Avalanche as the Coyotes went on to win 3-1.

The Coyotes take on the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim tomorrow night in Glendale.