Recap:
I should have taken the tie on my Sports Select, as this game was obviously destined to go to the shootout. The Winnipeg Jets again took advantage of the breakaway contest, defeating the video game God-mode version of Steve Mason and the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on the strength of Bryan Little’s winner in the 5th round.
After Dustin Byfuglien scored on an early power-play (yes, you read that correctly) to give the Jets a 1-0 lead, the Flyers scored twice before the first was over on goals by Scott Hartnell and Wayne Simmonds to give the visitors the 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. No scoring in the second and for much of the third gave the MTS Centre crowd and the many Jets faithful watching at home reason to worry, but another Byfuglien power-play goal (yes, you read this correctly as well) squared the game up at two and sent it to extra time.
Despite tons of chances in the 5-minute overtime, nothing was solved and the Jets had their chance to shine again in the shootout. Devin Setoguchi and Claude Giroux each scored in the initial wave, meaning that extra shooters were needed. After Bryan Little scored first in round five, Ondrej Pavelec stuffed Kimmo Timonen to give the home team their fourth straight win and fifth in last six. Yes sir, the Jets are rolling.
Ten Thoughts:
- One power-play goal! Two power-play goals! Ah ah ah! The Count approves of Buff’s pair of extra-strength tallies, though the dance after the second was a little much. But the dude played 31:29, so who am I to argue. I got tired sitting on the couch for that long of a span.
- The injury to Zach Bogosian, who left in the 2nd period and didn’t return, is obviously not a good thing. With Jacob Trouba, Paul Postma and Mark Stuart already hurt, the Jets can ill afford to dress Grant Clitsome as their #3. Zach Redmond should get to see some action soon though!
- Olli Jokinen assisted on both of Buff’s power-play goals. His resurgence, er… regression back to the mean, has been good to see.
- Ondrej Pavelec was very good again, but that first goal was that one stinker per game that he had not allowed of late. I thought he over-pursued Hartnell on the tight-post and got caught. Other than that, he was excellent. He stopped 8 (!!!) shots in overtime alone. I like that.
- Sorry to do this, but just like it was back in Minnesota at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Sean Couturier > Mark Scheifele. Chevy took a big leap of faith on Scheif and the returns aren’t there yet. Here’s hoping it turns around, but in my mind there’s no question that Coots is the better player right now. Couturier played 20:59 minutes, and in all situations, while Scheifele played 14:07 and all of it was at 5v5.
- Chris Thorburn played all of 5:19. What a waste of a roster space. Anthony Peluso can at least contribute positively now and again.
- Evander Kane played lots of minutes and added an assist on Buff’s second goal, but that dude just doesn’t look right. Maybe he should have been a “healthy” scratch for a while longer, as I have to imagine that he’s nursing some sort of injury still.
- Full credit to Steve Mason. He was incredible, as the Jets had him under siege in the 3rd period. He stopped 33 of 35 shots in a stellar performance that earned his team the single point.
- Geez, is it ever easy to hate the Flyers. They have so many jerks on that team, but I can only imagine that you’d love to have each and every one of them on your squad. Wayne Simmonds is so good, by the way.
- The streak can continue on Sunday in Minnesota against the Wild in another #ConferenceIII battle. I think I’m going to take the tie on my pro-line, as it’s pretty much guaranteed to go to a shootout as well.
More from Arctic Ice Hockey:
- Meet the glorious Philadelphia Flyers bro in Zoomies
- Analytically comparing Mark Scheifele, Sean Couturier and Alexander Burmistrov
- Mark Scheifele and Sean Couturier highlight two different paths to a pro career
- Evander Kane trade rumours continue to swirl amongst controversy
