Jets had a two goal deficit in the 2nd period and it was feeling like it was going to be one of “those nights” and it appeared that negative goal differential in the middle frame would continue to haunt this team. Captain Blake Wheeler scored his second goal in as many games to half the Avalanche lead. Then, who else, but Mark Scheifele on a beauty set up by Wheeler from behind the net to 55 in front tied the game on the power play. That goal was Scheifele 10th goal of the year which along with his 10 assists gives him 20 total points and maintains his NHL points lead as he continues to climb the NHL ranks.
The 3rd period began with the Jets announcing that Tyler Myers was not returning to the game for Winnipeg. This is the second time this season the tall defenceman would leave a game in Colorado with a lower-body injury although this time it appeared friendly fire may be to blame for the injury. Both teams traded chances but couldn’t solve the others goalie so we headed to OT.
And then friendly fire again wreaked havoc as Nikolaj Ehlers tried to put the puck behind the Jets net from the side boards but instead caught Jets goalie Michael Hutchinson by surprise and beat his netminder for an own goal and an Avalanche OT win. After the game Ehlers told reporters “I thought I had two guys right by me. I just tried to throw it into the middle and get those guys going.”
Player post-game audio:
Nikolaj Ehlers
Jacob Trouba
Blake Wheeler
Coach post-game audio:
Paul Maurice: What does he say to Nik after that own goal? His thoughts on Jacob Trouba’s game? Laine’s game. Making adjustments to the lines. Importance of day of rest before L.A.
Audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.
