Fiddler, Lombardi score in 2-minute span, Bryzgalov has 27 saves in Coyotes’ 3-1 win at TB

Fiddler, Lombardi lead Coyotes past Lightning

TAMPA, Fla. — Vernon Fiddler and Matthew Lombardi scored in a 2-minute span midway through the first period, Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 27 shots and the Phoenix Coyotes beat the Tampa Bay Lighting 2-1 Tuesday night.

The victory moved Phoenix five points behind Western Conference-leading San Jose in the Pacific Division. The Coyotes began the night tied with Vancouver for third place overall in the conference, but the Northwest Division-leading Canucks still hold the third seed.

The loss left the Lightning six points behind Boston for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins defeated Carolina 5-2 earlier Tuesday.

Bryzgalov faced back-to-back Lightning power plays in the third period but held strong and turned away several scoring opportunities in the final two periods.

Fiddler’s goal came on a beautiful pass into the slot from Lee Stempniak and in less than 2 minutes the Coyotes got their second goal when Lombardi took a pass in the center from Wojtek Wolski and slipped a backhand shot past Antero Nittymaki.

Todd Fedoruk scored the lone Lightning goal and Nittymaki had 26 saves.