Note: The Jets did battle with the Sharks last night in a game that was called Hellebuyck Night as the team paid tribute to their two-time Vezina winner although Nikolaj Ehlers also managed to pay tribute to Richie, his Bauer rep. On the ice number 37 was able to take most of the night off as his team led the way from puck drop to the final buzzer scoring eight times on their way to an 8-3 victory to maintain their perfect 4-0-0 record. Today they are scheduled to practice at Canada Life Centre at 12 noon so stay tuned for the Practice Report.
Note II: The Moose were also in action last night as they did battle with division rival Griffins in Grand Rapids which saw them fall 1-0 in a fairly low event contest. One positive is that prospect Chaz Lucius was able to make his season debut. Tonight the two clubs will have a re-match at Van Andel Arena in Michigan. Puck drop is at 6 PM CDT.
Note III: Lots of prospects were in action last night but we should start with 2023 3rd rounder Zach Nehring who had a very good Thursday night for Western Michigan finishing with 2G 1A in a win for his Broncos. Over in the OHL, 2023 1st rounder Colby Barlow finally got on the scoresheet. In the WHL, the other 2023 1st rounder in the Jets organization Brayden Yager finished his night with 1G 1A (the 150th assist of his junior career) in a Moose Jaw loss while 2024 5th rounder Markus Loponen scored a goal in a Royals comeback in Victoria.
Note IV: Join us for two hours of Jets talk on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show as we reflect on last night’s Winnipeg/San Jose game, look ahead to the Bryan Little retirement ceremony on Sunday, preview the game between the Jets and Penguins, discuss Rutger McGroarty being assigned to the AHL and whatever else catches our fancy.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Jets’ second-line surge offers reminders, confidence for trio. Funny how Nikolaj Ehlers spoke to us on Friday morning about how he was confident that they’d figure it out and that’s just what they did later that evening. In a big way.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Sun: Cole Perfetti with career-high four-point night as Jets thrash finless Sharks. It was the type of night even 91 was cracking a smile out there on the ice.
Winnipeg Free Press: Winnipeg Jets second line sinks Sharks. (Paywall). The big question mark that was marring the joy at the 3-0-0 start was the angst that the Namestnikov line hadn’t been able to produce but they silenced the critics in the fourth game of the season. Now the question becomes can they keep it going?
Winnipeg Free Press: Veteran forward Toffoli disappointed short-lived stint with Jets didn’t end better. (Paywall). His style of play, while clearly still productive, just wasn’t a good fit for how Winnipeg wants to play the game.
Global News: Ehlers, Perfetti each score twice as Jets rout Sharks 8-3. It is going to be a long season in Northern California.
The Mercury News: Disastrous first period dooms Sharks in loss to Jets. If you want insight into the Jets opponent check out a recap from a writer that covers them.
Jets video:
TSN: Ehlers, Perfetti break out in a big way to keep Jets undefeated. Nikolaj Ehlers and Cole Perfetti each scored two goals, each added two assists, and their centre Vladislav Namestnikov scored and netted three assists as the second line broke out in a big way for the Jets to keep them undefeated. TSN’s Dan Robertson and Kevin Sawyer break it all down.
TSN: Are Jets proving playoff failures are a thing of the past? After heading into last season’s playoffs with high hopes, the Jets were eliminated in the first round by the Avalanche in only five games. But after starting this season 3-0 and outscoring their opposition 10-2 in the process, could their playoff failures be a thing of the past? Bruce Boudreau discusses. (This was recorded before the game).
