Note: It was quite a day for Winnipeg based sports teams on Sunday. The day began with a Moose comeback win in OT, then the Bombers punched their ticket to their third straight Grey Cup and then the Jets also came back to win in OT. Move over Winter-PEG and welcome to Winner-PEG!
Note III: The Jets were facing a tough test in an unexpectedly solid Kraken team when they concluded their quick two-game road trip in Seattle last night. It wasn’t looking good until Pierre-Luc Dubois took a shot to the back of the head resulting in an end of the game power play which provided Blake Wheeler a great opportunity to score a memorable 300th NHL goal. The OT winner by Mark Scheifele earned Winnipeg a split in their road trip and improved them to 9-4-1 on the season and 7-1-1 in their last nine games. They sit 1st in the Central
Note III: As mentioned above the day began with a Moose game in Winnipeg as they looked to close out their six-game homestand with a win against the Wranglers. It didn’t look good for the home side as they spotted Calgary two different two goal leads but they fought back with goals from Cole Maier (see here), Henri Nikkanen (see here) and Chaz Lucius (see here) to send it to OT before Leon Gawanke (see here) ended it. Be sure you’re paying attention to Henri Nikkanen who is a Finnish version of David Gustafsson as he played his best game to date wearing a Moose uniform on Sunday. The 4-3 win in OT improved Manitoba to 7-3-1-0 which puts them 1st in the Central (in terms of winning %). They are off today.
Note IV: Make it 13 in a row for the Ice as they won the battle of Manitoba last night defeating the Wheat Kings 8-3 at home. Winnipeg improves to 18-1-0-0 on the season and they sit 1st in the East. Goalie Daniel Hauser now sitting at 14-0-0-0 on the season. Up next they face Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats in a pair of games in Winnipeg. (Thursday and Saturday).
Jets news:
Global News: Jets looking to re-enforce message they’ve moved past last season. There have already been a lot of “well they were 9-3-3 last season” comments thrown at Winnipeg. It is worth noting that alot of their success is attributable to goaltending but there does seem to be an honesty about this team, a lack of “we liked our game” when being dominated.
Winnipeg Free Press: Lowry laments juggling roles of coach, dad. (Paywall). Mike had a long chat with the former assistant and interim coach in Winnipeg who has found a new home in Seattle with the Kraken.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets snatch victory from defeat in Seattle. It wasn’t looking good for Manitoba but in the end they return to Manitoba with two points in the standings bank. Scott recaps the game.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Sun: Jets’ Mick F. Moose draws raves in fan mascot poll. That’s some hard-hitting journalism right there.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets snatch victory from jaws of defeat. (Paywall). It appears the headline writer for the Sun and Freep decided to just abdicate their responsibility (joking) to come up with a unique headline. Mike recaps the contest.
The Seattle Times: Kraken allow goal in final seconds of regulation, fall to Winnipeg Jets in OT. Get insight into the Jets opponent from what a writer who covers them had to say.
Jets video:
Sportsnet: After Hours with Rick Bowness. On this edition of After Hours, Rick Bowness joins Scott Oake to talk about his long career behind the bench in the NHL, how he assessed the Winnipeg Jets’ culture after accepting the job as head coach, and more.
Jets audio:
Illegal Curve Hockey Show: Saturday Podcast. Topics covered included: recap of the Jets week that was including team using schedule to their advantage. Difference in communication between coaching staff and players. Latest with Nikolaj Ehlers. Difference with Jets team culture this season. Previewing the Jets/Flames and Jets/Kraken games this weekend. Mikey Eyssimont recall to Winnipeg.
Moose news:
Illegal Curve Hockey: Moose homestand pattern continues as they conclude it with 4-3 OT win over Wranglers. Get the full 411 from yesterday’s contest including a look at the lines, some notable game facts, post-game media avails and what comes next.
