Note: It was a busy Thursday for the Jets as the non-playing group hit the ice at the IcePlex while the playing group went to Montreal to take on the Habs in the third exhibition game of the pre-season. Things started looking ominous for Winnipeg after two very solid periods when penalty trouble in the final frame opened the door for the home team but then Big Bad Brad (Lambert) and the man who gave him that moniker flipped the script and allowed the Jets to leave Quebec with a 4-3 victory.
Note II: The Jets are off today but will be back on the ice on Saturday which will see both a non-game group and game group hit the ice, with the latter getting ready to take on the Oilers later that night. It is also the night the team will unveil the Dale Hawerchuk statute.
Note III: Reminder that you should plan to join us tomorrow at 9 AM for two hours of Jets talk on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show.
Jets news:
Global News: Young prospects could help reshape Jets in long term. While that may be true the reality for this Jets team is that with the core group they have now they can’t really afford to think of the future. Having said that there are quite a few prospects that could be A+ players in the relatively near future.
Sportsnet: Jets’ Brad Lambert making most of opportunity despite injury early in camp. It is all the more impressive given that it seemed like he was a game-time decision. But that was not apparent based on his play last night.
Winnipeg Sun: Young Jets pull one out of the fire. Between the Moose players and the prospects (and there is plenty of crossover between those two groups) it was a good night for some household and non-household names in the organization. Paul was in Montreal and wrote this report.
Winnipeg Free Press: Lambert steals the show in Jets debut. (Paywall). Always important to pump the breaks a little bit when talking about pre-season hockey.
Winnipeg Free Press: Bowness wants more offence from defence, Pionk happy to oblige. (Paywall). It was interesting to hear the Jets bench boss say the other day that the 24 goals the Jets scored last season were just not enough and then yesterday referenced wanting the backend to contribute in the 40+ range this season. If they are gonna get there then Neal Pionk is going to play a big part.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Global News: Schmidt’s late tally lifts Jets past Habs in preseason action. Given his chatter during his media availability a few days back (leading to this GIF) it seemed like a forgone conclusion that he would play the hero in Montreal.
Montreal Gazette: Kaiden Guhle looks ready for NHL as Canadiens lose 4-3 to Jets. Read about last night’s game from a writer that covers the Jets opponent.
Jets video:
TSN: Remembering Hawerchuk’s legendary career. A five-time All-Star, Dale Hawerchuk appeared in 1,188 games over 16 seasons with the Jets, Sabres, Blues and Flyers. As his statue is set to be unveiled in Winnipeg, Michael Farber looks back on his legendary career in this essay.
