Note: The Illegal Curve Hockey Show kicks off game day coverage on TSN 1290 Winnipeg starting at noon. Plenty to discuss from around the NHL including a look ahead at tonight’s game against the Hurricanes. Guests: John Forslund (Play by Play broadcaster Carolina Hurricanes), Bruce Luebke (Play-by-Play Voice of the Brandon Wheat Kings) and Chris Peters (Editor of The United States of Hockey).
Note II: Following today’s Jets Papers, you can ensure you are up to speed with our game set-up written by Ezra Ginsburg and pre-game audio from coach Maurice. After the game, be sure to check us out for all the post-game reaction. As soon as the site is updated we notify you via twitter @illegalcurve and Facebook.
Note III: For home games we have both our #ICGWG and #IC5050 contests. Make sure to @ tweet @illegalcurve with your guess. Remember that for your vote to qualify you must send in your guess using a hashtag (#). (i.e. #ICGWG Bogosian & #IC5050 $32,500.00).
Jets news:
Winnipeg Free Press: True Fans. 96% renewal clearly shows that the fans aren’t going anywhere which comes as little surprise to those of us who pay attention. Of course this doesn’t mean that expectations aren’t going to continue to increase by these loyal fans.
Winnipeg Free Press: Could Monty be No. 1? He is getting the best chance perhaps of his career to get himself a nice little contract following this season if he can keep his team in the race. Plenty of pressure but if you want to be a top goalie this is what you have to deal with.
Winnipeg Free Press: Proud papa Slater sporting ear-to-ear grin. Was it a coincidence that his daughter waited until the 19th to be born? We think not!! Article also discusses Wheeler’s best OT goal (in college), Postma’s return to action, Trouba/Bogosian’s haircuts and Scheifele on the ice for team photo.
Winnipeg Free Press: Paper tigers lose edge on ice. If you wanna compete with the big boys it means you have to be able to dispose of the teams that you should beat. While on any given night in the NHL a bottom team can knock off another squad, when points are this critical there is simply no excuse for losing.
Winnipeg Sun: Wheeler hopes winning feeling catches on. He has certainly brought a winning attitude since he returned from Sochi. Article also discussed returning players, not taking it easy against a lowly opponent and Slater’s new bundle of joy.
Winnipeg Sun: Thomson tips hat to Wheeler’s OT winner. Not bad when the co-owner of the team and one of the richest men in the world is impressed by your accomplishment.
Winnipeg Sun: Montoya making the most of his chance to start. If you are Al Montoya, a UFA this summer, you are getting the opportunity to show that you have what it takes to be a number one goalie in this league. If he can keep the Jets winning then he certainly makes a strong case for his agent when he has discussions with GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.
CBC: Byfuglien, Slater, Bogosian nearing return for Jets. Couldn’t ask for a better time to get some healthy bodies back in the lineup, especially when they are critical to your team’s success.
Hurricanes news:
News and Observer: Blackhawks edge Hurricanes 3-2 without Kane. The Jets have an opportunity to take advantage of a tired Canes team who played last night in Chicago.
IceCaps news:
The Telegram: Klingberg, Lunden each score twice as IceCaps open road trip on a winning note. The run these IceCaps have been on is quite remarkable, especially when you consider the number of their top players who are currently up with the Jets.
The Telegram: The numbers back up IceCaps’ special teams’ play. Part of any team’s success is an effective special teams and St. John’s is getting it done on both the PP and PK.
NHL.com: Prospect Kichton ready to kick-start career. A good long read on the continued development of one of the Jets prospects.
