by Derick Ramos
Two straight games and two straight blown third period leads. The Winnipeg Jets surrendered a late goal to Jakob Silfverberg with 21 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Anaheim Ducks a 2-1 victory and a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 series.
After a scoreless first period, defenseman Adam Pardy scored his first career NHL playoff goal to give the Jets a 1-0 lead. Pardy, inserted into the lineup in favour of Ben Chiarot, made a nifty move around Ducks defenseman Kyle Palmieri and banked in a shot past Frederik Andersen. The goal was reviewed as Stempniak was in the net when the goal happened but was ultimately upheld.
The Jets discipline issues crept back in Game 2 when Andrew Ladd was called for a high-sticking penalty midway through the third period. Patrick Maroon tied the game on the powerplay deflecting a Cam Fowler shot at 10:43 of the third.
With just 21 seconds left, the Ducks were pressing and the Jets couldn’t find a way to clear the zone. Silfverberg was allowed to break free from behind the net and beat Ondrej Pavelec for the game winner.
Despite the loss, Pavelec kept the Jets in the game making 37 saves and keeping Anaheim off the board for two and a half periods.
The series continues in Winnipeg with Game 3 scheduled for Monday.
