The Winnipeg Jets were in need of a big game on Thursday. To the pleasure of coach Bowness, the local fans and naysayers alike, Winnipeg responded well to its first three-game losing streak with a dominant 4-2 victory at home over the visiting Vancouver Canucks.
The game was extra special for veteran forward Sam Gagner, who skated in his 1,000th career NHL outing, becoming the third player over the past three seasons to earn his silver stick - in recognition of 1,000 career games. Gagner was joined on the ice by his wife Rachel and children Beckham, Cooper and Cali for a special pre-game ceremony.
Although not contributing to the offensive attack by Winnipeg, Gagner was able to soak in a meaningful win, as his mates helped deliver thanks to a strong second period.
"It was great," Pierre-Luc Dubois said of the video message on the jumbotron. "The video was great, the fan reaction was great to see. Seeing his kids, his wife, the speeches on the JumboTron, I’m sure it was a special moment for him because it felt special for us. It wasn’t the start we wanted to give him, but we’re glad we got that win for him.”
Finding their way after falling victim to some heavy legs in the opening period following the emotional ceremony, Winnipeg woke up by way of three goals on 20 shots in the middle stanza.
Falling behind 1-0 in the first period after being outshot 9-6, the Jets followed up one of their worst periods of the season with one of their best. A hat trick from Mark Scheifele - including two power play goals - and a penalty shot marker from Pierre-Luc Dubois saw the home team negate the early deficit and turn it into a multi-goal lead through 40 minutes of play.
"We got our feet going," Dubois added. "We got pucks back on the forecheck. It’s hard when teams are all over you in your D-zone, their coming at you, their D have got a good gap, all you get is chipping it out and then they’re coming back with a new line fresh. I thought we did a good job of that."
Scheifele's 21st of the season came on a deflection off a long-range Josh Morrissey shot, tying the game at ones just 37 seconds into the power play.
Then, with Ethan Bear hauling down Dubois on a breakaway, the Jets' forward was awarded a penalty shot, much to the pleasure of the hometown fans. He failed to disappoint, potting his 17th of the year on the unabated breakaway from centre ice, going low blocker side on Collin Delia.
Later, with Bear, Dubois and Travis Dermott all in the box, the Jets stuck again on what was a four-on-three man advantage. This time, it was a shot from Scheifele that found its way through a perfect Adam Lowry screen and into the net with just 2.5 seconds to go in the frame. Scheifele's second of the game capped off a magnificent period, setting the team up for an easier final 20. Through 40 minutes, the Jets held a solid 26-15 shot lead.
“That’s how you score in this league, you’ve got to do the right things over and over and not try to chase the game," Scheifele said. "I think we had four lines that were playing well today and we need that more and more every game.”
But with 6:49 to go, Conor Garland cut the deficit to just one banking a rebound in off Connor Hellebuyck from behind the goal line, making the game 3-2. And making matters worse for Winnipeg was that the team lost defenceman Josh Morrissey moments earlier after a heavy check in the attacking zone by former teammate Tyler Myers.
Although not contributing to the offensive attack by Winnipeg, Gagner was able to soak in a meaningful win, as his mates helped deliver thanks to a strong second period.
"It was great," Pierre-Luc Dubois said of the video message on the jumbotron. "The video was great, the fan reaction was great to see. Seeing his kids, his wife, the speeches on the JumboTron, I’m sure it was a special moment for him because it felt special for us. It wasn’t the start we wanted to give him, but we’re glad we got that win for him.”
Finding their way after falling victim to some heavy legs in the opening period following the emotional ceremony, Winnipeg woke up by way of three goals on 20 shots in the middle stanza.
Falling behind 1-0 in the first period after being outshot 9-6, the Jets followed up one of their worst periods of the season with one of their best. A hat trick from Mark Scheifele - including two power play goals - and a penalty shot marker from Pierre-Luc Dubois saw the home team negate the early deficit and turn it into a multi-goal lead through 40 minutes of play.
"We got our feet going," Dubois added. "We got pucks back on the forecheck. It’s hard when teams are all over you in your D-zone, their coming at you, their D have got a good gap, all you get is chipping it out and then they’re coming back with a new line fresh. I thought we did a good job of that."
Scheifele's 21st of the season came on a deflection off a long-range Josh Morrissey shot, tying the game at ones just 37 seconds into the power play.
Then, with Ethan Bear hauling down Dubois on a breakaway, the Jets' forward was awarded a penalty shot, much to the pleasure of the hometown fans. He failed to disappoint, potting his 17th of the year on the unabated breakaway from centre ice, going low blocker side on Collin Delia.
Later, with Bear, Dubois and Travis Dermott all in the box, the Jets stuck again on what was a four-on-three man advantage. This time, it was a shot from Scheifele that found its way through a perfect Adam Lowry screen and into the net with just 2.5 seconds to go in the frame. Scheifele's second of the game capped off a magnificent period, setting the team up for an easier final 20. Through 40 minutes, the Jets held a solid 26-15 shot lead.
“That’s how you score in this league, you’ve got to do the right things over and over and not try to chase the game," Scheifele said. "I think we had four lines that were playing well today and we need that more and more every game.”
But with 6:49 to go, Conor Garland cut the deficit to just one banking a rebound in off Connor Hellebuyck from behind the goal line, making the game 3-2. And making matters worse for Winnipeg was that the team lost defenceman Josh Morrissey moments earlier after a heavy check in the attacking zone by former teammate Tyler Myers.
“There’s a little bit of a lower body injury," Rick Bowness said of Morrissey's injury. "He didn’t come back. He’ll be treated tomorrow. We’re hopeful that he’ll play Saturday.”
Despite Vancouver pulling Delia for the extra attacker, the Canucks were unable to make anything work offensively, leading to Mark Scheifele's third of the game. Off a Vancouver turnover, Adam Lowry led the charge up ice and found his mate Scheifele with no one left to defend the goal. Scheifele potted his third of the game and 23rd of the season, sealing the deal on a 4-2 victory.
Connor Hellebuyck finished the night with 20 saves on 22 Canucks shots and improved his record to 17-9-1 on the year. Collin Delia fell to 2-1-0 on the year, giving up 35 goals on 38 Jets shots. With the win, Winnipeg's record has finally eclipsed the 21-win mark in four tries, moving to 22-13-1 on the year. The Jets hold down second place in the Central Division with 45 points.
“I think that early goal against kind of set us on our heels a little bit," Bowness said. "And that team has been playing really well lately so they were feeling it. Sometimes you just gotta play through it and we were able to do that tonight. That team, they had won what seven in a row on the road. So we had to play through it and we did.”
Next up for Winnipeg is a four-game road trip beginning in Alberta, as the Jets take on Edmonton on New Year's Eve in a 9:00 PM central showdown to wrap up the 2022 calendar year, before the team heads south to Calgary for a Tuesday night test with the Flames. Winnipeg wraps up its trip with a stop in Tampa Bay on Friday night and an afternoon matinee with the same Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. Saturday's game against Edmonton can be found on Sportsnet, while the other three will be available on TSN.
Connor Hellebuyck finished the night with 20 saves on 22 Canucks shots and improved his record to 17-9-1 on the year. Collin Delia fell to 2-1-0 on the year, giving up 35 goals on 38 Jets shots. With the win, Winnipeg's record has finally eclipsed the 21-win mark in four tries, moving to 22-13-1 on the year. The Jets hold down second place in the Central Division with 45 points.
“I think that early goal against kind of set us on our heels a little bit," Bowness said. "And that team has been playing really well lately so they were feeling it. Sometimes you just gotta play through it and we were able to do that tonight. That team, they had won what seven in a row on the road. So we had to play through it and we did.”
Next up for Winnipeg is a four-game road trip beginning in Alberta, as the Jets take on Edmonton on New Year's Eve in a 9:00 PM central showdown to wrap up the 2022 calendar year, before the team heads south to Calgary for a Tuesday night test with the Flames. Winnipeg wraps up its trip with a stop in Tampa Bay on Friday night and an afternoon matinee with the same Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. Saturday's game against Edmonton can be found on Sportsnet, while the other three will be available on TSN.
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