Note: The Jets practiced in Winnipeg on Wednesday before taking off for California where they will kick off three games on the road starting tonight in Anaheim. With it being a gameday all eyes will be on morning skate which gets underway at 1:30 PM CDT. All the relevant news will be posted in the pre-game report so check back for that. Puck drop is at 9 PM CDT.
Note II: This evening, after the final buzzer sounds between Winnipeg and Anaheim, we want you to be part of the conversation on the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show as we discuss and analyze the results of the game. This season you’ll have a chance to win great schwag including authentic Jets jerseys, hats, etc after every single game (For a variety of ways to enter click here).
Note III: The Moose and Icehogs did battle last night in Winnipeg kicking off eight straight in the ‘Peg which saw Manitoba pull off some late game heroics to force OT for the second straight game. While overtime was excellent the game ended in the shootout with Rockford taking the extra point picking up the 4-3 SO win. They were scheduled to be off today but will now hold a practice before they return to the ice tomorrow for their re-match with Rockford.
Note IV: The Ice win streak came to an end last night as they lost to the Warriors 6-4 in Winnipeg. They are scheduled to practice today as they prepare for their final regular season road game tomorrow night in Brandon.
Note V: We learned on Wednesday that Jets goalie prospect Jared Moe has entered the NCAA transfer portal. We also learned the results of the NHLPA player poll and thoughts on the ice in Winnipeg and some Jets related mentions.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: ‘That’s what we’re dealing with’: Jets’ Bowness pulls back curtain on issue of motivation, commitment. Scott wrote about his exchange with the Jets bench boss on Wednesday which caused the temperature in Manitoba to raise a few degrees.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Free Press: Bowness doing his best to motivate Jets in stretch run. (Paywall). The amount of consternation that yesterday’s little chit chat created was rather substantial.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets’ Hellebuyck happy to carry heavy load as team fights for post-season berth. (Paywall). If he could play every game it would likely be the choice of number 37 to do so.
Sportsnet: Bowness challenges Jets to find motivation as playoff spot hangs in balance. It’s the time of the year when your best players need to be your best players if your team has any hope for real success.
Jets video:
Global News: Jets talk with John Shannon. What is leading to Kyle Connor’s slump? How many games do the Jets have to win in the final 10 to assure themselves of a playoff spot? 680 CJOB hockey analyst John Shannon joined Global News to talk about the Jets with 10 regular season games left.
TSN: Jets in pole position ahead of Flames in race for final playoff spot in the West. The Jets are currently clinging to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, four points up on the Flames with 10 games remaining for both teams. SportsCentre examines the upcoming schedules for Winnipeg and Calgary as the wild card race heats up down the stretch.
TSN: Bowness is trying to get the most out of Jets without being tuned out. Jets head coach Rick Bowness admitted to the media on Wednesday that he needs to get more out of his top players. TSN Hockey analyst Frankie Corrado shares his thoughts on the comments and what the veteran coach is looking to see from his team.
TSN: ‘I’ve got to get more out of them’: Bowness admits he needs more from top Jets. The Jets are coming off a win and are holding onto the last wild card spot in the West, despite Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor only combining for four assists in the last six games. Rick Bowness was asked if he needed more commitment from some of his best players, to which he admitted, he needs to get more out of them.
Moose news:
Illegal Curve Hockey: Moose salvage a point against the Icehogs as they tie it late but lose 4-3 in shootout. Get the full story from yesterday’s game including lineup news, notable factoids, post-game media and more.
Illegal Curve Hockey: Declan Chisholm suffered a high-ankle sprain. Tough news for the Jets prospect who was having an excellent 2022-23 season.
