Berard's hat trick sparks Blue Jackets



Columbus topped the Coyotes to snap a three-game losing streak, 5-2.
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Bryan Berard scored three power-play goals for his first career hat trick, Sergei Fedorov added four assists and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Phoenix Coyotes 5-2 on Sunday night to snap a three-game losing streak.
Rick Nash had a goal and an assist and Rostislav Klesla also scored to help the Blue Jackets win for the first time in regulation in 10 trips to Phoenix (1-6-3).
Ladislav Nagy and Shane Doan scored for Phoenix. The Coyotes have lost three straight and eight of their last 12.
Klesla gave Columbus a 1-0 lead at 6:16 of the first period when he received a pass from Fedorov off a faceoff, took one stride to his right and fired the puck past Curtis Joseph from the point.
Nash breaks tie
Nagy tied it at 10:27 of the period, but Nash put the Blue Jackets ahead for good when he took the puck near center ice, leaped past defenseman Denis Gauthier just inside the blue line and beat Joseph with a backhand swipe at the puck.
Berard made it 3-1 with a power-play goal at 15:17 on a hard shot from the point, with help from a screen by Jaroslav Balastik in front of the crease.
Doan pulled Phoenix to 3-2 when he tipped a shot by Nagy past Marc Denis for a power-play goal at 1:39 of the second period.
Berard scored again just under 2 minutes later, making it 4-2 on the Blue Jackets' ninth shot of the game on a wrist shot from between the circles.
Berard capped the scoring with 1:45 remaining.
Marc Denis made 32 saves for his eighth victory of the season.
Notes
The Coyotes had been unbeaten in their last six games against Columbus overall. ... Nash extended his points streak to five games. He has six goals and three assists in that span. ... The Coyotes outshot Columbus 17-2 in the third period. The Blue Jackets' two third-period shots matched a season low. ... The Blue Jackets, last in the NHL on the power play entering the game, scored three times on four opportunities. ... The Coyotes were 1-for-9 on the power play and are 2-for-22 in their last three games. ... Nagy's goal was his second in his last 12 games.
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