Post-Game Recap: Jets defeat the Ottawa Senators

St.John’s, Newfoundland-

The Winnipeg Jets ended a two-game preseason road losing streak by defeating the Ottawa Senators 3-1 Monday afternoon in St.John’s, Newfoundland. The matinee was part of CBC’s 2011 Kraft Hockeyville Celebrations, an annual tradition that selects a Canadian city to host an NHL game and receive funding for arena upgrades.

It was a well-earned victory for the Jets, who were coming off a 4-3 loss to the Nashville Predators on Saturday night and a 4-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday afternoon. The Jets improved to 2-3-0 in the pre-season while the Senators fell to 2-2-1.

Winnipeg got goals from rookie Mark Scheifele, rugged right winger Troy Bodie and center Ben Maxwell while Ottawa’s lone goal came from 2011 6th overall pick Mika Zinabejad. Scheifele’s goal was his 3rd of the preseason and comes a day before the Jets are expected to make significant cuts to their training camp rosters (The Jets are expected to trim their roster to 28-30 players on Tuesday or Wednesday).

Scheifele, an 18-year-old who played last season for the OHL’s Barrie Colts, broke a goose egg 1 minute and 19 seconds into the second period on the power play while Portage la Prairie’s Troy Bodie put the Jets up by two late in the middle frame.

Rookie Mika Zibanejad got the Sens on the board with a crafty individual effort five minutes into the 3rd period but Jets center Ben Maxwell restored the Jets two-goal lead at the 13:37 mark on a feed from defenseman Johnny Oduya.

Ondrej Pavelec stopped 27 of 28 shots, including several on a third period Ottawa Senators power play, to earn his first victory of the 2011’12 preseason. With his second period goal, Mark Scheifele improved his pre-season numbers to three goals and three assists in three games.

The Jets next game is Wednesday, September 28th at home against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Jets seventh and final pre-season game is two days later on Friday, September 30th against the Nashville Predators.

The Jets first game of the regular season is on Sunday, October 9th against the Montreal Canadiens. The game will air on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.