Note: The intensity of the 1st period of last night’s Canada and USA game was pretty incredible. Three fights in the opening moments of the game really set the ton for one of the best periods of hockey we’ve seen in years. When the two teams settled down to play we saw an fantastic goal by Connor McDavid which was weird seeing Josh Morrissey celebrating a goal scored on Jets teammate Connor Hellebuyck. Of course 37 would get the last laugh as his American team took it 3-1 and his smile after the game said it all. A smile Jets fans are usually happy to enjoy. The series now shifts to Boston with Canada taking on Finland while the USA face Sweden. Since the Americans punched their ticket to the Final game on Wednesday night expect Connor Hellebuyck to get the night off against the Swedes.
Note II: The Moose hit the ice for practice on Saturday as they look to rebound from a 4-2 loss on Friday night. Today they kick off the final two games of this six-game homestand against the Admirals. Puck drop is at 2 PM CST.
Note III: A few Jets prospects in action on Saturday night. In the OHL, Kieron Walton (2024 6th) factored in on all his team’s goals finishing with 2G 1A for Sudbury. He took 10 shots in the game and sits 7th overall in the OHL points race. Over in the WHL, Brayden Yager (2023 1st) continued his hot pace finishing the game for Lethbridge with 1G 1A which gives him 19 points (8G 11A) in his last seven games. Since he joined the Hurricanes (20 games ago) his pts/g are 1.85 which is the highest of his WHL career and his combined 1.63 is good enough to tie him for 4th best in the league. And in the NCAA, Zach Nehring (2023 3rd) had 1G 2A for his 3rd ranked Western Michigan Broncos as they rolled to a 6-1 win.
Jets news:
NHL.com: Three things – Hellebuyck and U.S. win emotional game. Jamie is in Montreal and filed this report on the game.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
The Athletic: Inside U.S. hockey’s rise in goal — the weekend of meetings that changed everything. (Paywall). Interesting insight into how the United States has improved between the pipes.
Jets video:
WST: How the Winnipeg Jets Power Play became the NHL’s best! Andrew “Hustler” Paterson was joined by former NHLer JP Vigier for a discussion on the Winnipeg Jets power play, what’s changed this year that has vaulted them into the best in the NHL
