Note: The Jets will face the Flames tonight in the first of two home games this week. While the loss to the Sabres on Saturday afternoon left a sour taste in the mouth of Jets fans the loss of super rookie Patrik Laine to a concussion was even worse. As always be sure to keep it locked to illegalcurve.com for pre and post game news and on social media including via Twitter | Facebook | Instagram.
Note II: The Moose also had a less that stellar weekend as they lost back to back games against the Wild. With Eric Comrie sick the Moose had to get creative while waiting for Jamie Phillips to get up to Winnipeg, so they signed 45 year old firefighter Greg Husson to an ATO to backup Ondrej Pavelec on Saturday. Phillips was able to backup Pavelec on Sunday and we spoke to him following the game. Today, Manitoba (the team not the entire province) will travel to Arizona (although with the temperature disparity perhaps folks here would wish they were) as the Moose are set to play the make-up game against the Roadrunners in Tucson on Tuesday night. This road game was inserted into the Manitoba schedule for the postponed game that was originally scheduled for November 19th.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Five keys against the Flames. Ken’s five keys include: 1) Reset required. 2) Who fills the void? 3) Power play chugs along. 4) Tkachuk streaking. 5) Backlund a force. Ken’s big match-up is Jacob Trouba vs Johnny Gaudreau.
Winnipeg Sun: Goaltending part of young Jets’ growing pains: Cheveldayoff. Ken had the opportunity to sit down with the Jets GM.
Winnipeg Sun: Stafford gets promotion after Laine injury. He’s been off to a slow start but he is going to have to take advantage of this opportunity, both for his own and the team’s benefit.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence
Winnipeg Free Press: Hit on Laine not dirty says coach Maurice. (Paywall). The Jets bench boss clearly didn’t have a problem with the hit on his prized rookie.
Winnipeg Free Press: At the halfway mark, Cheveldayoff talks key moments in Jets’ season. (Paywall). Jeff goes one on one with the Jets GM for this article.
Hamilton Spectator: Chariot’s on a good ride with the Jets. His hometown paper did this feature on the Jets third pairing defenceman.
Buffalo News: Sabres-Jets blockbuster too close to call so far. We chatted about the trade with John Vogl’s colleague Mike Harrington during this past Saturday’s Illegal Curve Hockey Show and it looks like other folks in Buffalo decided to evaluate the trade as well.
Sportsnet: Jets in danger of another lost season. As part of the five things learned column under the ‘Get better Laine’.
Illegal Curve: Winnipeg Jets Practice Report. The big news was that coach Maurice confirmed that Patrik Laine had a concussion. Audio from Blake Wheeler, Nikolaj Ehlers and coach Maurice.
Moose news:
Illegal Curve: A chat with goalie prospect Jamie Phillips. It was a long trip to Winnipeg for Jamie Phillips but we had a chance to catch up with the prospect about his journey to Winnipeg and his season so far in the ECHL.
Illegal Curve: Wild edge Moose 3-1 to sweep weekend series. Scoring summary, lines & a player spotlight. Audio: DeSalvo, Kichton and Coach Vincent.
Winnipeg Free Press: Moose give away game to division rival Iowa. (Paywall). In addition to giving away towels the Moose handed over two more points to the Wild. Mike recaps the game.
