It came from an unlikely source but the Winnipeg Jets will take it. Aaron Gagnon scored his first NHL goal that proved to be the winner as the Jets defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-1. Jets netminder Ondrej Pavelec was stellar stopping 29 shots to help the Jets keep pace in the tight playoff race.
The Jets played a strong first period but were held off the score sheet. They wouldn’t be denied for long as Kyle Wellwood pounced on a rebound and found the back of the net beating Sabres goalie Ryan Miller.
Aaron Gagnon’s goal was almost a carbon copy. Dustin Byfuglien took advantage of a Sabres turnover in their zone and quickly fed Gagnon in the slot who one timed it home.
With just 21 seconds left in the second period, Andrew Ladd ended a 17 game scoring drought. Bryan Little would capitalize on a neutral zone turnover by the Sabres and would find Ladd wide open. Ladd would make a beautiful deke around Miller’s pokecheck and would put the Jets up 3-0 going into the third.
Sabres forward Kevin Porter broke up Pavelec’s shutout bid in the third period as his centering pass deflected off of Blake Wheeler’s skate and into his own net. Winnipeg added an empty netter from Wheeler to cap off the scoring.
After the game, Aaron Gagnon talked about the magnitude of his goal. “To join the team at this time, the way the atmosphere is with these fans, it’s a great time to come to the rink and try to help out,” Gagnon said. “No matter where you’re playing as long as you get something going your way, it always helps your confidence.”
The Jets still remain two points behind the Southeast Division leading Washington Capitals and will take on the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
{gallery}Jets vs Sabres Apr10-13{/gallery}
