Coyotes’ D Ekman-Larsson scores SHG from own blue-line against Leafs

By Vinnie Criscenzo | Jan 30, 2015

Nov 13, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) controls the puck against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored a short-handed goal from his own blue-line against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Yes, you read that correctly. If you find this hard to believe, just remember one thing — Toronto Maple Leafs.

Thursday night, the Arizona Coyotes visited the Air Canada Centre to play the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both teams have been struggling. The Coyotes came into the game losing their last seven games and eight of their last nine. The Leafs also came into the game on a seven-game losing streak, also losing ten of the eleven games they’ve played in January.

So, something had to give in this game.

More from Arizona Coyotes

Apparently, what was given was a gift of a goal for Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The puck was about to drop for the third period, and the Leafs were holding a 1-0 lead and were beginning the third period on the power play. What could go wrong?

The Leafs, the Leafs could go wrong.

Right off the face-off to begin the third period, the Coyotes win the draw cleanly back to Ekman-Larsson. Ekman-Larsson then just dumps the puck towards to the Toronto net just to get the puck deep since they are on the penalty kill. The shot ends up going on net and beats goaltender Jonathan Bernier glove-side for Ekman-Larsson’s 13th and easiest goal of the season.

Not only was this a short-handed goal from the Coyotes own blue line, but it set an NHL record for the fastest short-handed goal scored.

When the Leafs lose, they like to do so with style.

The Coyotes scored another fluky goal shortly after when Martin Hanzel threw a bad angle shot on net that deflected off Bernier and into the net. The Coyotes ended up winning the game 3-1.

The funny thing is, even though Bernier let in two goals that should have no business going in and he probably cost them the game, he was also probably the Leafs best player in this game. He made 42 as the Leafs were deliriously out-shot 45-25 in the game, including 21-6 in the second.

You can fault Bernier all you want for the two horrible goals he gave up, but he was the only reason the Leafs were even relevant in this game.

H/T to Deadspin for the video.

More from FanSided

Home/Arizona Coyotes