Winnipeg Jets Afternoon News (Friday, Dec 23rd)

Winnipeg Free Press:  Jets straddle eighth-place playoff spot but there’s much ground to make up.  The Jets are 5-0 against team’s that are playing them in the 2nd game of a back-to-back.  However they themselves haven’t won the 2nd game of a back-to-back (0-4).  The major difference tonight, is the four previous back-to-back’s (with the exception of the Carolina on Friday, @ Detroit on Saturday) have occurred when both games were on the road.  This will be the first (and last) time this season for the Jets to play a back-to-back at the MTS Centre.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Wheeler turns into impact player.  Each guy on the top line has been hot at one point or another this season, and the Minnesota native is showing that the Manitoba winters won’t slow him down.  He’s been skating all over the ice, using his speed to cause the opposition fits and (finally) began using his shot which is causing other team’s to take notice.

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets try to power through Penguins.  While the season isn’t riding on tonight’s game, a win will go along way.  The 3 teams immediately above them (Toronto, Ottawa and New Jersey) are all playing tonight as well.  A Jets win at home against Pittsburgh and losses from any of the above teams, would mean the Jets head to the Christmas break in a playoff spot.  While it isn’t time just yet to plan a whiteout, it would be a big morale boost for this Jets team.

Globe and Mail:  Lights, Camera, No action.  Coach Noel might not drop as many F bombs as coach Bruce Boudreau did last year, but he would make for some excellent TV.  However don’t expect to see the Jets coach on HBO’s 24/7 as he prefers to keep his relationship with the players private and not put it out there for public consumption.

Winnipeg Sun:  Chipman thanks ‘most passionate fans in the world’.   Manitoban’s don’t like to boast.  We are fairly self-depreciating always quick to make jokes about bad weather or mosquito’s.  However it is finally time to look at the Jets story and just simply accept the fact that this is one of those made in Manitoba success stories that has inspired not just our fellow citizens across our great province, but our fellow Canadiens from coast to coast.

TSN:  Pavelec makes 30th appearance tonight.  If you look up the word workhorse in the dictionary, Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec’s picture would most likely be what you see.  He sits just 1 game back of league leader Carey Price for most appearances this season by a goalie.  When you speak with him you get the impression he would play every game if given the opportunity.

ChrisD.ca:  Jets play-by-play simulcasting to FM frequency.  TSN Radio has added a new frequency for those of you who attend the game but would like to be able to listen to the play-by-play.

Game-day audio:

Winnipeg Jets:  Tanner Glass, Nik Antropov, Tobias Enstrom, Chris Thorburn and coach Noel.

Pittsburgh Penguins:  Arron Asham, Jordan Staal, James Neal and Marc Andre-Fleury.

Next opponent news – Pittsburgh Penguins:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  Morning skate notes.  If you want insight into the Penguins, be sure to follow Shelly Anderson.

Pittsburgh Tribune:  Engelland has no issue with suspension.  Pretty good attitude considering he had no past history with suspensions.