Recap:
The Jets lost. OK a little more than that happened but the fact is the Jets lost a tough game against a central division opponent to continue a road trip to forget. It was their fourth straight loss since leaving the friendly confines of the MTS Centre.
Neither team was able to get a goal in the 1st period although the Jets managed to hit iron a few times with both Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine ringing ones off the post.
Mikko Koivu was left alone in front of Connor Hellebuyck as the 2nd period was about to conclude and the Minnesota captain made no mistake about it giving the Wild a 1-0 lead after 40 minutes.
Big more excitement in the 3rd period. The Jets thought they had tied the game when Minnesota native and Jets captain Blake Wheeler “scored” on a deflected Tobias Enstrom shot but Nikolaj Ehlers was ruled offside and the goal was disallowed. Once again Blake Wheeler scored, this time on the power play off a Dustin Byfuglien goal just 53 seconds after going down 2-0. His seventh of the year cut the lead for Minnesota in half but that was as close as Winnipeg came. Zach Parise put it away with an empty net goal.
Tough pill to swallow but hard to win hockey games when you aren’t scoring goals. Jets now have five goals in four road games and will head to Nashville as they try to secure a critical two points.
Stats:
Player post-game audio:
Blake Wheeler.
Connor Hellebuyck
Coach post-game audio:
Coach Maurice.
