Note: The Jets left Vancouver with a shootout loss which gave them three of a possible four points on this short two-game road trip but the game came at the cost of their captain sustaining a potentially significant injury. They are traveling home today and are off tomorrow so expect an update to come on Monday when they return to practice.
Note II: Despite losing Cole Perfetti to the Team Canada selection camp, and Ville Heinola to recall the Moose have players stepping up in their absence to fill the void. Last night the Moose didn’t change the gameplan as they outshot the Griffins 20-6 in the 2nd period but found themselves down 2-0 after 40. But cue the 3rd period comeback which saw them score four straight times (Cole Maier | Mikey Eyssimont | David Gustafsson GWG | Kristian Reichel EN) for their eighth win in the last ten games. They sit 2nd in the Central. The re-match with Grand Rapids is tonight at 6 PM to close out the short two-game homestand.
Note III: Be sure to join us on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show today at 9:00 am CT on our YouTube channel and social media platforms. Guests include Jeff Hamilton (Winnipeg Free Press) and Martin Biron (Retired NHL goalie. Sabres studio analyst for MSG and The Instigators on TSN-RDS).
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Jets have gotten by without Wheeler once already this season, have tools to repeat the process. Not gonna be easy but opportunity knocks for players who want it and as Scott outlines the team has had success this season without their captain so they’ll need to rediscover what they did well earlier in the year.
Sportsnet: With Wheeler out, Jets need cumulative effort to replace his production. While this isn’t ideal this will be an opportunity for one or two players to step up and seize a role with the Jets.
Winnipeg Sun: Wheeler grabs first of the season, exits with injury as Jets fall to Canucks in shootout. Scott provides his thoughts from his spot inside Rogers Arena.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets lose Wheeler to injury, then lose shootout to Canucks 4-3. (Paywall). While the team has been able to handle the loss of their captain this season, he has been heating up of late with one goal and 11 assists in his last seven games.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets’ high-scoring winger the stuff of Stanley Cup dreams. (Paywall). 81 is the MVP of this team and I am not sure it is even close.
Photo Credit: Alexander James (Illegal Curve)
The Province: Nothing’s boring under Boudreau. Read about the game from the perspective of a writer who covers the Jets opponent.
Moose news:
Illegal Curve: Cue the 3rd period comeback as the Moose rally to defeat Griffins 4-2. Check out my recap of the game with a look at the lineup, some noteworthy occurrences, post-game media availabilities.
