The Winnipeg Jets traveled to the state of Ohio to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets and Blake Wheeler left with some good memories.
First Period
An early opportunity right off the hop from the top line but Mark Scheifele couldn’t send it home. Solid puck possession and movement from the Jets through the first two minutes and Sami Niku was set up for a shot from the point which got Winnipeg on the board first. Niku gets his first of the season and the second goal of his young career.
A soft call on Tyler Myers led to Columbus’ first goal and all I could think about is how that better be the last time I hear that damn cannon tonight. Artemi Panarin showed some amazing patience and Nick Foligno got the rebound.
Back-to-back power plays wasn’t enough to get the Jets on the board again, and it’s a tie game after 20.
Niku gets it through traffic to make it 1-0! #NHLJets #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/1EEoJEAjJi
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) March 4, 2019
Second Period
The second period was a doozie. Dmitry Kulikov with consecutive pinches to keep the play alive in the offensive zone and then proceeded to throw a shot towards Sergei Bobrovsky which Blake Wheeler tipped to get the Jets up 2-1. Heck of a shift by Kulikov and he was far from finished.
Foligno took a run at Scheifele and Kulikov simply wasn’t having it. After a few punches from each, both headed to the box and continued to chat – amicably, I’m sure – but Kulikov was served a 10-minute misconduct and headed to the room.
An icing call led to a tired defensive pairing and third line allowing Seth Jones to get Columbus back on the board. Shortly after, Connor Hellebuyck was called for a delay of game after the net came off and everyone and their mother could see what a ridiculous call it was. The Jets started the third period a man down.
Kulikov took it early, threw a few at the end. Dirty play by Foligno led to this. #WPGvsCBJ pic.twitter.com/nr3cNyeR0N
— Right Wing, Shoots Left🍀 🐔🍷 (@HILITINGHOCKEY) March 4, 2019
Third Period
The Jets killed off the questionable penalty and it took Winnipeg just over seven minutes before they got a shot on net – but that seemed to get things moving for them. Nathan Beaulieu tossed the puck towards Bobrovsky, Wheeler and Laine put up the screen, but it was Wheeler who tipped it in to get his second of the game. Jets up 3-2.
BLAKE WHEELER HAT TRICK. (He also got an empty net goal).
3rd Career 🧢 🧢 🧢 for Blake Wheeler. Great dish Laine. Then adds empty netter for 4. The @BlueJacketsNHL are playing with playoff fire. Outside the bubble with 17 games left. 17-16-2 at home for CBJ. Not good enough pic.twitter.com/sGcBGlYZYF
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) March 4, 2019
