Volunteers finally ended its slide last week and started playing

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Coyotes spent most of overtime on their heels, chasing pucks and dodging shots. The Coyotes finally cleared the puck after a big save by Mike Smith and had a man advantage on a delayed penalty.Thats when they turned to Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the king of overtime hockey.Ekman-Larsson set an NHL record for game-winning goals by a defenseman last season and picked up where he left off Saturday night, scoring at 1:48 of overtime to help the Coyotes begin their 20th season in the desert with a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.Obviously, Im playing with a lot of confidence playing 3 on 3 in overtime, said Ekman-Larsson, who leads NHL defensemen with 21 winning goals the past three seasons.The Flyers dominated the early part of overtime, but a sprawling save by Smith on Matt Read allowed the Coyotes to clear the puck and set up at the other end.Philadelphias Jakub Voracek was then hit with an unsportsmanlike penalty, allowing Smith to skate off for an extra attacker. The Coyotes worked the puck around quickly, with Radim Vrbata sending out a pass from behind the goal to Martin Hanzal, who one-timed it to Ekman-Larsson.The four-time NHL All-Star gathered the puck and lifted it over a diving Steve Mason for his latest winner.Hanzal also had a goal, along with Shane Doan and Brad Richardson for the Coyotes.I dont think my heart rates been that high before with that flurry that went on what felt like forever, said Smith, who stopped 27 shots. Then high-stepping to the bench and winning, celebrating with my teammates on the bench was crazy there for a few minutes.The Flyers rallied from a 3-1 deficit after playing the night before and tied it on Reads goal early in the third period. But Philadelphia continued to struggle on the power play -- 0 for 4 -- and couldnt capitalize on numerous chances in overtime when it appeared to have the Coyotes on the ropes.Michael Raffl and Wayne Simmonds also scored for the Flyers. Mason stopped 31 shots.Sometimes you just dont get the bounces, Simmonds said. (Smith) makes a bunch of good saves there. Then they turn around and go to the other end, get a scramble and the puck ends up in our net.Coming off a rebuilding season, the Coyotes are hoping to take the next step two decades after moving to the desert from Winnipeg.The Flyers stood pat over the offseason after reaching the playoffs last year and opened the 2016-17 season with a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Friday night.The Coyotes, not surprisingly, had a jump in their step for the opener and scored their first goal on a power play midway through the first period.Doan, who led Arizona with 28 goals last season, got it by gathering a loose puck and flicking it past Mason, who was run into by two players. The goal was upheld after a challenge by the Flyers for goalie interference.The Flyers gathered themselves after the slow start, tying it on Raffls deflection of a shot by Nick Schultz from the point.Hanzal scored late in the period on a rebound and Richardson got the Coyotes off to a quick start in the second, scoring a short-handed goal 17 seconds in to make it 3-1.The Flyers rallied despite the short turnaround from last night.Simmonds pulled Philadelphia within 3-2 by slipping the puck between Smiths pads in the second period and Read used a nifty move to tie it early in the third, deking Smith to get him out of position before knocking in a backhander.Thought for a back to back, thats the effort you want, Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said.Game notes Arizonas Jacob Chychrun and Christian Dvorak each had assists for their first NHL points. ... The Flyers are scoreless in six chances on the power play this season. ... The Coyotes are 8-2-0 when opening a season at home since moving to Arizona.UP NEXTThe Flyers play at Chicago on Tuesday before heading back to Philadelphia for their home opener against Anaheim.Arizona kicks off a six-game trip in Ottawa on Tuesday. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs eye-popping numbers against an overmatched opponent last week were most notable for what was missing.For the first time all season, Dobbs didnt commit a single turnover in a game as Tennessee rolled to a 55-0 victory over Football Championship Subdivision program Tennessee Tech. He wants to carry that momentum Saturday as Tennessee (6-3, 2/3 SEC) hosts Kentucky (5-4, 4-3).Its just big for the team just to play a clean game, a very efficient game, the pass game, the run game, Dobbs said. We had big plays. We drove the ball efficiently on third down. Just overall the execution was high. It was great just to have an efficient game. Weve got to play with that kind of efficiency to finish the season strong and be where we want to be.Turnovers have been an issue for Dobbs this year.He has thrown 11 interceptions in nine games after being picked off just five times in 13 games last season. Dobbs threw five interceptions and lost three fumbles during a three-game losing streak. That included two interceptions and one fumble in a stunning 24-21 loss at South Carolina.Thats why it was important for Dobbs to avoid mistakes and play well last week, even if he was facing an FCS defense. Dobbs went 12 of 13 and threw three touchdown passes before leaving the game late in the second quarter.When you have an off week and youre able to follow it up with a really good week, it definitely feels good just to get back in a rhythm, Dobbs said.Dobbs acknowledged he didnt play up to his standards against South Carolina, but he didnt let that performance carry over. His coaches marvel at how well Dobbs manages his emotions under any situation, a trait that continued even after the South Carolina game.I didnt see any panic, offensive coordinator Mike DeBord said. I didnt see where he was down at all. I just saw Josh Dobbs. Thats what you love about the kid. Every day he brings the same mentaliity, same attitude.dddddddddddd. Everythings the same. He doesnt get high. He doesnt get low. Thats important, especially at that position.Dobbs utilizes the same approach off the field, which has enabled the senior aerospace engineering major to earn many honors that arent necessarily related to athletics. The latest one came Tuesday when Dobbs was selected to the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society, which recognizes high achievers in various fields. Members of the society have included Tennessee legends Peyton Manning and Pat Summitt.But as serious as Dobbs may seem on most occasions, he believes its also important to recognize that hes playing a game. Dobbs said part of the reason the Volunteers finally ended its slide last week and started playing better was that they began having fun again.It was great for the team to go out and just have fun, to enjoy the game we grew up loving, the game we grew up playing as kids, Dobbs said. Just go out and have fun. Obviously there are a lot bigger implications within the game, bigger meanings. But at the end of the day, it is a game, and youre supposed to go out and enjoy it every time you step on the field.Dobbs traditionally has plenty of fun against Kentucky.He has won all three of his previous starts against the Wildcats. Dobbs threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more scores in a 52-21 blowout at Kentucky last season. Two years ago, Dobbs threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth score in a 50-16 triumph over Kentucky.My past performances versus a certain opponent dont dictate future performances, Dobbs said. I have to go out and prepare well if I want to play well again this week.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25---Follow Steve Megargee at www.twitter.com/stevemegargee ' ' '