Winnipeg Jets

Jets-Flyers recap: Snooze fest until....
March 22, 2017, 11:57 AM ET [4 Comments]
Peter Tessier
Winnipeg Jets Blogger • Winnipeg Jets Writer • RSS • Archive • CONTACT
I'll admit I didn't catch the first period but I could tell from updates, Twitter and stats that it was far from entertaining. In fact I was watching my son play hockey for the City Championship (they lost game 4) so I knew I was likely getting the better deal.

That being said, low event hockey is boring but what about no event? That was how the game rolled last night for both teams until it stopped.

What's funny about the Jets and Flyers is there should be no reason for them to dislike each other but it seems they do and eventually things get a bit nasty. 15 total shots in the first period, 17 in the second and then they erupted for 27 in the third.

By the time that third period bad been under way Ehlers and McDonald had taken concurrent slashing minors and then Blake Wheeler scored and put the Jets up 2-1. The Jets pushed the play and then it all went south in front and then behind the Flyers' net. Mark Stuart had previously taken a stick to the face from Provorov and then came in to the fracas looking for some revenge, on anyone.

It was not a Donnybrook by any stretch but it was a preview of the ending. Tempers were not, probably more to do with frustration from the Flyers. Scheifele had made it 3-1 on a wicked wrist shot from the high slot that Mason may not have even seen and at that point it was time to ride out the game with just over 7 minutes left.

Things took a funny turn when Simmonds and Stuart got into it late with Voracek coming in too giving the Jets a late game power play. The Jets had a chance with the empty net before the PP but Scheifele failed to convert however what we saw on the ensuing PP was nothing short of awful. It was exactly what has made the Jets season so frustrating the lack of awareness and intensity.

With less than 3 second to go Matt Read harmless shot the puck from the point to be deflected up and over Michael Hutchinson for a late goal. Did it affect the outcome, no but it did show just how far this team is from having a killer instinct. They were already looking for the showers and thinking of the post-game drinks before heading to California.

It turned a .960 save percent effort into .923 and was a shorthanded goal against. Sigh, old habit die hard.


What came out of the Jets game was more confusion and critic of Patrick Laine's use on the PP. He was behind Lowry, Perreault and Petan in PP time and again the set up leaves much to be desired as it appears they want on the off, off side for his shot.

What's more concerning for fans is it appears that head coach Paul Maurice seems to not realize that his top goal scorer is in a race for the Calder Trophy. Maybe it doesn't but if indeed this team is trying to win, Laine, who may be a generational shooting talent, should be on that first unit. Then again, maybe like all young players he has to earn it.

Nelson Nogier made his NHL debut last night and played well. He read plays well, made passes and was not a liability to any severe degree in the Jets patchwork defence during is 12:16 of ice time. Perhaps there's a bit of a reason to feel hope around him but like all things in Winnipeg, let's not get too worked up about one good game. He's 20, has lots to learn and needs to be given a lot of ice time to learn the nuances of the game at a professional level.

Hey, be happy though it appears he could do it based on what we saw last night but it will take time.

The Jets play two games in California before coming back to host the Canucks and hopefully bringing the warm weather with them.