Note:  Make sure to @ tweet @illegalcurve with your guess in our contests.  During tonight’s game you can win IC Gear by participating in our twitter 50/50 and Game Winning Goal contests. Remember that for your vote to qualify you must send in your guess by hashtaging (#) our 50/50 contest or the Game Winning Goal (GWG) contest. (i.e. #IC5050 $43,875 or #ICGWG Slater).

Jets news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Jets need to play better at home says Wheeler.  Time to reward the fans with a strong effort.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Real Jets, or just body doubles?  That’s pretty interesting that they hired body doubles to shoot the video.  Who would @ICEzzyG best be able to act as?

Illegal Curve:  Coach Noel pre-game.  Update on injured players.  Missing Peluso.  Burmistrov game-time decision.  Importance of scoring from lower lines.  Six of eight at home.  Getting back to MTS.  Telling players what to do in a shootout?  Getting the players to play the right way.  Seeing enough from this group to get to the playoffs?  Play of Meech.  Burmistrov’s laughing on bench and the maturing process.

Sportsnet:  Don’t bet against the JetsAs always Chris Johnston does a tremendous job, this time breaking down the community feel around this Winnipeg organization.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Home needs to be sweeterOf all the mistakes missing the net seems to be the Jets worst error.  Too often they shoot way wide which allows the puck to escape the zone and sets the opposition on a rush.  It also prevents any chance of scoring.  The Jets need to take advantage of the friendly confines of the MTS Centre.

Winnipeg Free Press: Long-term planning means Noel is here to stayCalls for the coach’s head on a silver platter seemed premature and as Gary writes, based on the long-term vision of the Jets, he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

Winnipeg Sun: The NHL’s true enigmaThe Jekyll and Hyde nature of this time is quite puzzling.  In the games you expect them to excel they fall apart and the ‘tough ones’ they suddenly show up.  This home stand will prove quite telling what kind of team we have here in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets still not happy? That’s good, says WymanThis team flirts with getting above the line and then falls short and then gets back up again.  They were rightly not happy with their final performance on the road and will hopefully take that into tonight’s game against 5th place Toronto.

Winnipeg Sun:  Goalies are team’s lifelineThere can be no question that the Jets tenders won them some points last week.  But it was good to hear Ondrej Pavelec acknowledge following the Devils game that they cannot continue to play like that and expect to win.  Ted also covers Burmistrov being benched, vaunted Jets PK, points parade and Evander Kane coming alive.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Latvian Kulda to rejoin JetsA small depth move made by Winnipeg.

Jets prospect news:

OHL:  Colts Scheifele named player of the weekHe had an impressive nine points in just three games, games that he helped his team win.  He has helped to position his Barrie team to within two points of the 1st place Belleville BullsThe Colts return to action on Thursday when they take on 7th place Kingston.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Scheifele’s fire still burnsTim caught up with the Jets 2011 1st round draft pick and found that he is still aggressively getting ready for the NHL.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Trouba named to all-rookie teamWhile his Michigan squad has had a tough season, Trouba has been having a year to remember and now can add this to his growing list of accomplishments.

Jets opposition (Leafs) news:

Globe and Mail:  Statistician forecasts tougher second half for resurgent Maple LeafsWill the stats prove correct?

Toronto Sun:  Leafs GM in no hurry to deal UFAsWhich is why the trade deadline could be so interesting.  If teams continue to stay bunched up it will be quite interesting to see what people are willing to pay for the chance to win now.

National Post:  Joffrey Lupul rejoins Leafs at practice but unsure of returnFear not Jets fans as he will not be making the trip to the Peg.

NHL news:

Calgary Herald:  Scouts flock to L.A. as Flames further cement position in West cellarIt is like watching vultures circle an animal carcass, the Calgary Flames might finally begin the purge many wanted to see occur a few years back.

Toronto Sun:  Sidney Crosby says Quebec City ‘obvious choice for expansion’Hockey fans in Quebec have to be happy to have the endorsement of the greatest player in the NHL.

CBC:  30 ThoughtsElliotte Friedman’s articles are just a great read to stay informed on what is happening around the leagueHis primary focus is on the Ducks signing of Getzlaf and what this means for Perry and then he goes into his 30 Thoughts.

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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