Note: The Jets were in desperate need of a good effort against division rival Minnesota to start the post All-Star break portion of the schedule and that’s just what they got in a fairly complete 60 minute effort in a game that got quite heated. Ultimately a 2-0 win gives this Winnipeg club some much needed good feelings but they will have to keep it going and show they can be consistent. While he didn’t get a hot lap it was the NHL debut of Moose assistant coach Marty Johnston who was filling in for Jets assistant coach Jamie Kompon who had to be home for personal reasons. With their next four against central division rivals they will have lots of opportunity to keep it going. Today they are scheduled to practice at 12 noon so stay tuned for the Jets Practice Report.
Note II: Before the Moose left for their four-game road trip they lost four players to recall by the Jets but if there is one thing this team has shown this year is they are resilient bunch, can plug in new faces and just keep rolling. That’s just what we saw last night in Texas as they gave up the opening goal of the game but would fight back to tie it late in the 1st courtesy of Ty Pelton-Byce‘s first of the season which was followed by alternate captain Cole Maier‘s ninth of the season (his career high for goals) to make it 2-1. It looked like that’s how it was going to end but a Stars goal with 0.1 seconds left in the 3rd forced OT. That wasn’t an issue for Moose captain Jimmy Oligny who called game with this beauty of a GWG. Moose improve to 25-11-2-1 as they kick off the four-game road trip with an impressive win. These two teams will play their third game in four nights in a re-match with a 7 PM CST puck drop.
Note III: Jets have some injured players and three players in protocol and interim head coach Dave Lowry provided an update which you can read here.
Note IV: Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will hold his midseason media availability following the players and interim coach Dave Lowry this afternoon so stay tuned for full coverage. You can watch it here.
Jets news:
Sportsnet: Wild’s Marcus Foligno to have hearing for kneeing Jets’ Adam Lowry. Not a huge surprise given what transpired.
Sportsnet: Facing a daunting task, Jets find a desperate template for their stretch run. I think it can be simply boiled down into a visualization exercise. Pretend every opponent are the Blues or Wild and play like you did last night or last game against St. Louis. Joking aside Wieber wrote about the way they can find success for remainder of season.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets tame Wild to start second half of season with shutout win. Given where these two teams are in the standings last night was an unexpected result but that is why they play the game. Now it will be incumbent on the Jets to see if they can maintain this momentum.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets need Scheifele’s best in second half playoff chase. The talk has been about the Jets centre depth and while this season isn’t all on the shoulders of number 55 he does need to be better if this club wants to be playing hockey in spring and not golfing.
Photo Credit: Alexander James (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets back up talk with hard-nosed win over Wild. (Paywall). Talk is cheap as it ultimately required action on the part of the local NHL squad and they sure seemed to back it up last night.
Winnipeg Free Press: Scheifele looks to bounce back in second half. (Paywall). It is clear that he knows how much pressure is on him in order for this club to have a modicum of hope about this season.
Star Tribune: Wild opens second half with 2-0 loss at Winnipeg. Always good to gain insight into the Jets opponent from a writer that covers them.
The Athletic Winnipeg: How Jets can turn slim odds into playoff reality, from a Connor Hellebuyck surge to the ideal forward mix. (Paywall). I like how Murat phrased his tweet saying this was for the “so you’re telling me there’s a chance?” crowd.
Jets video:
Sportsnet: Hellebuyck returned to form in intense Jets-Wild game. Sean Reynolds and Ken Wiebe break down an intense game between the Jets and Wild, Connor Hellebuyck returning to form, and Winnipeg’s top players showing up against Minnesota.
TSN: Sawyer on how important win was for Jets against one of NHL’s hottest teams. Kevin Sawyer joins Dennis Beyak to break down the Jets’ victory against the Wild in a physical affair, which he says had a playoff-like feel, and explain how important the win was for Winnipeg against one of the hottest teams in the NHL.
TSN: Button says Cheveldayoff needs ‘a close examination of his club’ before trade deadline. With many pointing the finger at Mark Scheifele amid Winnipeg’s recent struggles, TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button discusses whether the Jets star looked more like himself against the Wild, and explains why GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s priority before the trade deadline is to give “a close examination of his club”.
