Win over Wings impresses Tippett

Once Saturday’s game between the Coyotes and Detroit Red Wings was over, it was sure difficult to tell which team was playing in back-to-back games and which one had the night before off.

“I guess we’re in good shape,” center Mike Ribeiro said.

The Coyotes secured three out of a possible four points in consecutive games over the weekend after a 3-2 shootout loss to the Ducks in Anaheim Friday and a come-from-behind 5-2 win Saturday at home against the Red Wings.

“Agame like this can kind of build the belief system or build the confidence in your team that you can continue to improve,” coach Dave Tippett said.

From the outset, Saturday’s game was positioned as the tougher of the two.

The Red Wings had won four in a row and last played Thursday, waiting in the Valley while the Coyotes battled in Anaheim, not arriving back at their homes until 2 a.m.

“It’s hard to be impressed sometimes, but I was very impressed with the play of our players,” Tippett said.

In the record book

Goalie Mike Smith joined an elite fraternity with his last-second goal against Detroit.

Martin Brodeur, Chris Osgood and Ron Hextall are among the other 10 goalies to score a goal. Brodeur has three and Hextall two.

“They always try in practice,” Ribeiro said. “They always try when it’s an open net. They’re like a kid in a candy store.”

Offensive outburst

After a flashy shootout goal Friday and a twogoal performance Saturday, Ribeiro continues to expand his repertoire for the Coyotes.

“The good thing about it is he’s getting goals in front of the net right now,” Smith said. “‘Ribz’ is more known for his puck movement and setting guys up, but he’s getting rewarded by getting to the front of the net and getting some rebounds.”