By Mark Carlisle
Independent Newsmedia
With his first-period goal in Dallas Monday, Oliver Ekman-Larsson etched his name in Coyotes history.
The Coyotes captain passed former team captain Teppo Numminen for the franchise record of goals scored by a defenseman with 109. Ekman-Larsson entered the game tied with Numminen.
The goal Monday beat Stars goalie Ben Bishop during a 4-on-4 sequence. The goal was assisted by Nick Cousins and Clayton Keller. The Coyotes allowed four goals in the third period and the Stars won 5-4.
Ekman-Larsson, in his ninth season, has scored 109 goals have come in 627 with the Coyotes. Numminen tallied his 108 goals in 1,098 games with the franchise. He played eight seasons with the Winnipeg Jets and seven seasons with the Coyotes after the franchise moved to Arizona.
The defenders pale in comparison to the forwards though, ranking 15th and 16th on the team’s all-time scoring list. Shane Doan leads the franchise with 402 goals.
Numminen still leads Coyotes defenders in points (534) and assists (426). Ekman-Larsson has 317 points and 208 assists.
