It might have taken a new coach for the Winnipeg Jets to fire up their engines, but the Jets have taken off and have set their sights on a playoff spot. Under head coach Paul Maurice’s tutelage, the Jets have compiled an 9-2 record and sit just two points out of eighth spot in the Western Conference.
After beating both Alberta teams, the Jets flew to California to battle two Western powerhouses. The Anaheim Ducks took an early lead but Winnipeg score three unanswered goals including Evander Kane’s game winner. Netminder Ondrej Pavelec was stellar stopping 40 lifting the Jets to a 3-2 win. Winnipeg put their four game win streak on the line against the San Jose Sharks two nights later. Pavelec was solid with 31 saves but Joe Pavelski’s early first period goal was just enough to give the Sharks a 1-0 win.
An exciting Saturday night match up pitted the Jets against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the MTS Centre. Winnipeg took a 4-1 lead but Toronto stormed back to tie the game as Phil Kessel scored with 1:43 left to play. Dustin Byfuglien put an end to all the “Go Leafs Go” chants scoring the overtime winner for a 5-4 win.
There was no time for celebration as the Jets travelled to Chicago to take on the Blackhawks the next night. Al Montoya let in an early goal but Blake Wheeler scored twice in the third period to beat the Blackhawks for the first time this season, 3-1.
The Nashville Predators came to town and edged the Jets 4-3. Mike Fisher scored the winner 43 seconds into third period. Winnipeg would get right back to their winning ways against the Vancouver Canucks at home. Devin Setoguchi broke out of a slump and scored two goals including the game with three minutes left. After the game, Setoguchi was awarded with the player of the game and the Winnipeg Jets fighter helmet – a new Jets tradition.
“I think it’s awesome,” Paul Maurice said of the helmet. “Those are the things, the little pieces, that binds guys together”.
Winnipeg hit the road for four games before the Olympic break. In an early Super Sunday matinee in Montreal, the Jets came out on top as Montoya turned away 30 shots for a 2-1 win. The Carolina Hurricanes also had no solution for the surging Jets. Chris Thorburn scored with 63 seconds left in the game giving the Jets a 2-1 win and their third in a row.
The Winnipeg Jets will play in St Louis and Washington before the Olympic break. They sit just two points out of a playoff spot and have given the fans something to cheer about.
Photos by Ron Cantiveros | Filipino Journal
