Note:  Make sure to @ tweet @illegalcurve with your guess in this evening’s contest.  You can win IC Gear by participating in our twitter Game Winning Goal contest. Remember that for your vote to qualify you must send in your guess by hashtaging (#) the Game Winning Goal (GWG) contest. (i.e. #ICGWG Byfuglien).

Jets news:

Illegal Curve:  Coach Noel pre-game in Buffalo.  What can he do to get his players going?  Are the players over-thinking things?  Facing a Sabres team that is going to bring it tonight.  How can he lighten the mood?  Does it help being outside of the microscope of home?   Clitsome back in the lineup.  Redmond coming out.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Wheeler trying to boost Jets’ moraleIt was curious hearing the normally upbeat Blake Wheeler speaking of negativity.  It was never really clear whether he was directing it towards fans or the media, although it seemed more likely directed at the latter and not the former.  Truth is if the team can turn things around they will be treated like royalty but when they lose it is important to point out their failingsWheeler does acknowledges this reality later in his interview.

Winnipeg Free Press:  The iceberg is in sightWith so many games to play it is hard to believe that this team is ready to mail it in and get ready for the off season.  While the team lost to both Pittsburgh and Boston, the effort was there and the fans appreciated that.

Winnipeg Free Press:  PP and PK are both MIACoach Noel took these failures on himself and said he needs to ultimately get them back on track.  The Jets have looked anemic when they are on the PP and their PK is not much better.  Getting a healthy Zach Bogosian should help but ultimately Ondrej Pavelec needs to be their number one penalty killer.

CBC:  DJ provides the game soundtrackOften when in my car, I hear a song and think “Why does this sound familiar?  Oh right the Jets play it during warm-up!”.  Always interesting to see what goes into the behind the scenes efforts to bring entertainment to the game.

Winnipeg Sun:  Even Winnipeg Jets fans are in a funk.  It is clear that the MTS Centre isn’t the raucous place it was last season.  Has the magic left the building?  What do you think?

Winnipeg Sun:  Bringing extra baggage on eastern road tripThe focus yesterday at the MTS Centre seemed to be on negativity.  From Blake Wheeler to coach Noel it was the topic of the day.

Winnipeg Sun:  Ticket temptation bites Jets fanThis really seems to be a pretty standard tale but one people fall for all too often.  Just remember that if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Globe and Mail:  Slumping Jets hit the road in search of answersFor the season to be salvaged this team needs to figure out how to win on the road.  The good news is they will start by playing a Sabres team that has won just once in their last four games.  The bad news is they have to play five games in eight days including a dreaded back-to-back against the Flyers (23rd) and Devils (24th).

Illegal Curve:  Coach Claude NoelNegativity surrounding the team.  Seeing frustration from his team?  Mood swing in the 2nd intermission?  Facing the Sabres.  Power play problems.  Play of Anthony Peluso.

Illegal Curve:  Player audio from practiceBlake Wheeler, Zach Bogosian and Ondrej Pavelec.

Jets affiliate and prospect news:

Swift Current Broncos official site:  Broncos drop 5-2 decision to IceAdam Lowry continues to tear things up in the WHL as he finished the afternoon scoring both goals (his 38th & 39th) for his team in a losing effort.

Jets opposition (Buffalo Sabres) news:

Buffalo News:  Power play mandate is to take advantage of Jets’ weak PK unit.  Looks like the Sabres know the key to beating the Jets.

Buffalo News:  Mixing up lines, defence pairs and power-play units at morning skate.  Fresh off the ice, John Vogl gives you a look at the lines the Jets will face tonight.

Olean Times Herald:  Despite Sheen’s criticism, Erhoff enjoying strong seasonWhen you read the title of the article you think it is someone other than Charlie Sheen, but it is in fact America’s bad boy actor who apparently is a fan of the Sabres (he works with Ryan Miller’s actress wife).  Despite the criticism from the Anger Management star, Hoppe makes the case why Erhoff has been the Sabres best D man.

SI.com:  Next five games could tell Sabres’ storyIs this article about the Sabres or Jets?  Could apply to both squads who are currently residing in the Eastern Conference basement (Buffalo is 12th having played 16 games and the Jets are 14 with 14 games played).

NHL news:

TSN:  Draft Lottery odds will remain the same for coming yearGood news for bottom basement teams hoping to improve courtesy of the deep 2013 draft.

Globe and Mail:  Bruins bring a little cheer to families of Sandy Hook ElementaryThe Boston organization and players should be commended for taking the time to try and bring some joy to a community that was hit by a devastating tragedy this year.

David Minuk

Working hard on a daily basis to provide the latest Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose news for our readers and listeners. I also appear on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show every Saturday on our YouTube channel as well as the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show after every single Jets game. And I occasionally jump in the play-by-play booth at Canada Life to provide colour analysis during Manitoba Moose games.

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