Coyotes bid farewell to Arizona with season-ending win

The Arizona Coyotes went out on a high note, prevailing 5-2 over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday in what's likely the final game of this iteration of the franchise.

The crowd at Mullett Arena in Tempe cheered throughout the final minute, and the Coyotes broadcasters went silent for roughly the final 20 seconds.

The final minute of Arizona Coyotes hockey#Yotes pic.twitter.com/vBNMgQIoHM

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) April 18, 2024

The players took turns embracing a veteran team staffer and then gathered at center ice to salute the fans who held on until the end.

After their final game, all of the Arizona Coyotes players lined up to hug longtime equipment manager Stan Wilson 🥹 pic.twitter.com/APcB41vDbU

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 18, 2024

The players also stayed on the ice to give their jerseys to some fans.

Fans getting jerseys off the backs of players in the Coyotes' final game in Arizona, unreal#Yotes pic.twitter.com/miiPnxQjy2

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) April 18, 2024

Defenseman Sean Durzi potted an empty-netter with 4:15 remaining to score the Coyotes' final goal before the franchise relocates. Young phenom Dylan Guenther netted the club's last goal against a netminder, burying a power-play marker just over a minute earlier.

Lawson Crouse, Matias Maccelli, and Liam O'Brien produced the other goals for Arizona. Sam Carrick and Warren Foegele tallied for the Oilers.

The Coyotes finish the season sitting second last in the Central Division at 36-41-5.

Earlier Wednesday, Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith essentially confirmed the Coyotes' impending move to Salt Lake City and his imminent purchase of the club. The NHL Board of Governors is reportedly scheduled to meet Thursday at 3 p.m. ET to approve the sale.

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