Hiller loses shutout, but holds on for Ducks win

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Brown's goal off a faceoff in the third period became a surprising game-winner as the Anaheim Ducks held on for a 4-3 win over the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday night.

After building a 4-0 lead on goals by Teemu Selanne, Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry and Brown, the Ducks surrendered three quick tallies to Phoenix in an 8-minute span of the third period.

Jonas Hiller made several of his 27 saves over the final minutes to secure the victory for the Ducks, who ended a brief three-game homestandwith consecutive wins. It was the second time this season Anaheim has won two in a row.

Scott Niedermayer had two assists for Anaheim.

Hiller made 40 saves in a 4-0 win over Nashville on Thursday. He held an identical lead 7 minutes into the final period against Phoenix, but Keith Yandle and Scottie Upshall each scored within a 38-second span to end Hiller's bid for consecutive shutouts.

Shane Doan added a power-play goal with 5:24 to play to make it 4-3.

Mathew Lombardi had two assists for the Coyotes.

Phoenix entered the game with the second best goals-against-average in the NHL, but the Coyotes were missing three of their top defensemen.

Ed Jovanovski was scratched after sustaining a lower body injury in a 3-1 victory over Chicago on Thursday. The veteran defenseman was tied with Doan for the team lead in scoring (13 points) and fifth in overall scoring by defensemen.

Phoenix was also without top defenseman Zbynek Michalek, who missed a second game because of a lower body injury. Kurt Sauer has been sidelined since opening night.

Working on a power play in the opening minutes, Selanne gathered a pass from Niedermayer in the slot and quickly swiped the puck past Ilya Bryzgalov for a 1-0 lead.

Each team had trouble developing quality scoring chances until the 12th minute of the second period when Niedermayer whisked a pass from the Anaheim blue line to Ryan as he cut into the Phoenix zone. Ryan then snapped a 40-foot shot from the right circle past Bryzgalov.

Just 4:23 later, Perry fired in a feed from Ryan Getzlaf to put Anaheim in control.

Getzlaf and Perry both extended their point streaks to eight games. Perry has seven goals and five assists during the run. Getzlaf has one goal and 11 assists.

Brown scored off a faceoff early in the third before the Coyotes began their late rally.

NOTES: The Ducks will open a four-game road trip at New Jersey on Wednesday. ... Anaheim D James Wisniewski returned to the Ducks lineup after completing a two-game suspension for a hit on Doan on Oct. 31. ... Phoenix D Shaun Herska made his NHL debut in place of Jovanovski. David Schlemko skated in his fifth game after stepping in for Michalek.

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Nov 08, 2009 - 02:12 a.m. EDT

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