Note: The Jets were off on Wednesday but there was still plenty of fallout from the night before when they defeated the Wild 3-1. Player Safety began the day by handing out a 5K fine to Neal Pionk for the cross-check he delivered at the end of the game and then they handed out a one-game suspension to Ryan Hartman for his hit on Nikolaj Ehlers. Of course today is the final regular season game day for the Jets as they conclude game 82 tonight in Colorado. You can likely expect a lot of guys getting rest while the extras get in the game but we will have to stay tuned to what is happening at morning skate which gets underway at 10:30 AM. All the relevant news will be posted in the pre-game report so check back for that. Puck drop is at 7 PM CDT.
Note II: This evening, after the final buzzer sounds between Winnipeg and Colorado, 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 Stars had a frenetic pace to their concluding game of the two-game set in Texas which saw three goals in the opening few minutes of play (two by the visitors and one by the home team). Unlike the night before the game settled into a rhythm with the Stars scoring twice more to hold on for a 3-2 win. Hold on because Manitoba swarmed them in the final frame outshooting them 12 to 3 but they just couldn’t solve goalie Remi Poirier. The Moose travel today to Rockford where they will prepare for a game against the Icehogs.
Note IV: The Ice have one last day of practice before they kick off round 2 vs Warriors in Winnipeg tomorrow night.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Jets’ Lowry took one for the team. When it came time for someone to answer the bell (although if you subscribe to an eye for an eye doctrine Ehlers and Johansson should have cancelled each other out and thus not necessitated a bell) there is no surprise that it was big number 17 who stepped up.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Sun: From the dead to the dance: Jets provide sliver of hope. This season, more than most others, has been a roller coaster of ups and downs associated with this hockey club.
Winnipeg Free Press: Adversity a blessing in disguise. (Paywall). What’s the expression? Whatever doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger? Guess that has been a months long lesson learned by these Jets.
Winnipeg Free Press: Mum’s the word on Jets whiteout parties. (Paywall). Perhaps what’s best is an organic gathering in downtown Winnipeg because the 2019 festivities paled in comparison to the ones held in 2018.
Winnipeg Free Press: ‘We are not going anywhere’. (Paywall). Jets co-owner Chipman sat down with the Freep on Wednesday. The subheading to the article reads “assures fans that push for more ticket-buying support from business community an operational necessity, not a threat to leave city”.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets’ ad campaign a controversial sign of the times. (Paywall). Mike reacts to the message he took from the promotional video that was released the other day.
Sportsnet: How the Jets got back on track to salvage their season. It helps when you have a goalie of Connor Hellebuyck’s calibre but it’s also been a much better all around effort from this club that has seen them go 7-3-0 in their last ten games. Wieber breaks it all down.
Global News: Playoff-bound Jets took a while to get there, but worth the wait. This team sure seems to be clicking at the right time and it will be interesting to see if they can use the momentum they’ve been generating the last few weeks and bring it into the first round of the playoffs.
Jets video:
TSN: Why the Golden Knights are the best first round playoff matchup for the Jets. That’s Hockey explains why the Golden Knights would be the best first round playoff matchup for the Jets, and discusses which team would present the toughest challenge to Winnipeg in the opening round.
TSN: After Lowry fought Reaves, was the risk worth the reward with the playoffs almost here? The Jets clinched a playoff spot in a chippy game against the Wild on Tuesday night. Late in the game, Adam Lowry fought Ryan Reaves. With the postseason on the horizon, was the risk worth the reward? TSN Hockey analyst Frankie Corrado weighs in.
TSN: Which first round matchup is best for the Jets? With Winnipeg now locked into the final wild card spot in the West, they have a few options as to who they could face in the first round of the playoffs. Who would be a more favorable opponent for the Jets? TSN Hockey analyst Frankie Corrado shares his thoughts.
Global News: John Shannon on the Jets. What has led to the Winnipeg Jets’ resurgence the last few weeks? The amount of games that Connor Hellebuyck has played. Would the Jets rather play Vegas or Edmonton in the first round? 680 CJOB hockey analyst John Shannon breaks it all down.
Jets audio:
Sportsnet: The Jeff Marek Show. Marek and his guest insider Elliotte Friedman chat about the Jets/Wild game, Winnipeg literally punching their ticket to the playoffs, the ad campaign that dropped the other day and then Friedman continues to champion Connor Hellebuyck for the Vezina.
Moose news:
Illegal Curve: Moose split series with Stars after 3-2 loss in Texas. Get the full story from yesterday’s game including lineup news, notable factoids, post-game media and more.
