Note: The Jets hit the ice for practice on Wednesday and you couldn’t tell that they had just rebounded to knock off the defending Stanley Cup champs just as you couldn’t tell that they had suffered two straight losses prior to the game in Winnipeg on Tuesday night. This group is focused as evidenced by our chats with Kyle Connor (watch here), Neal Pionk (watch here) and head coach Scott Arniel (watch here). They have cancelled practice today and will instead head to the airport and jet off to Pittsburgh to kick off six games on the road. Reminder you can join us tomorrow at Boston Pizza at 1160 Taylor Avenue for an IC Watch Party followed by the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show.
Note II: The Moose also hit the ice for their final practice of the week yesterday as they prepared for today’s school day game. We got injury updates on prospect Danny Zhilkin (here) and Chaz Lucius (here), we learned more about Fabian Wagner who was assigned from the SHL on Sunday and we heard from Ville Heinola (watch here), Kappo Kahkonen (watch here) and head coach Mark Morrison (watch here). They continue this mini-series against the Wolves which began in Chicago which saw Manitoba win 5-3 and will see these two teams do battle the next two games including this morning in downtown Winnipeg with a 10:30 AM CST puck drop.
Note III: Jets goalie prospect Domenic DiVincentiis made his ECHL debut last night in Norfolk making 28 saves on 30 shots as the Admirals win 5-2 in his debut.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Thicker skin, lesson learned: Jets felt playoff vibe against champion Panthers. The team banner should really read “Mission Unaccomplished until it is” as that really seems to be the mantra this season.
Winnipeg Sun: ‘I’d try to do it again’: Fine won’t stop Jets’ Neal Pionk. You know that in order for him to play his game that element cannot really ever not be a part of his repertoire.
Winnipeg Free Press: Response to Florida debacle shows Jets are for real. (Paywall). This team would tell you it was just another win but while that may be true it also showed that they could be punched in the mouth and return the favour.
Winnipeg Free Press: Old-time hockey hits Pionk’s wallet. (Paywall). It’s a fine line between on the edge and over it with the NHL never really giving any clarity other than random fines.
Sportsnet: Jets’ Mark Scheifele belongs on Team Canada at 4 Nations Face-Off. This topic didn’t seem as legit a year or two ago but the way 55 has continued to evolve as a player this season the case can be made, as Jacob does with his latest article, that 55 should be wearing a Team Canada uniform in February.
ESPN: Are the Winnipeg Jets really this good? Inside their hot start. This team cannot afford to read their own press clippings. They were the 4th overall team last season, won the William Jennings allowing the least goals in the NHL and got blown out in the first round. They know they need to use the regular season to develop those calluses their head coach is always talking about.
Jets video:
TSN: Core 4 U-24: Winnipeg Jets stocked with impressive forward depth. TSN’s annual Core 4 U-24 project starts with a ranking of all 32 NHL teams based on their talent under the age of 24 as of the start of the NHL season. Gino Reda is joined by Craig Button for a detailed break down of where each of the seven Canadian teams rank.
