Follow me on Twitter
Well that was fun. I guess Winnipeg really is good at afternoon games. But considering their opponent…
The Set Up
…Remember when the Minnesota Wild signed a couple of the most desired Free Agents in the summer of 2012? Since acquiring Zach Parise and Ryan Suter 7 years ago, the Wild have placed 2nd, and 4th twice, and 5th 3rd, and 7th within their division. Losing in the 2012-2013 Conference Quarter Finals, in the 2nd round the next two years, the 1st round the following three years, and finally, not qualifying at all last year. Not a great track record following the biggest offseason acquisitions of the team’s existence, and now on the downside of those deals, with very little in the prospect pool, it’s anybody’s guess what rookie GM Bill Guerin will do.
With the way things have been trending recently, perhaps he won’t have to do too much. Minnesota, after a 4 win, 9 loss October, were the worst team in their division. A 7-2-4 November had them move up past the Blackhawks, and now fast forward to the present, where the Wild have surpassed the Nashville Predators and look at disrupting the Winnipeg Jets’ plans of heading to the post season.
If that was Minnesota’s objective, and it was, talk about failing miserably. Being without Jason Zucker, who will sit the next 6 weeks with a broken fibula, along with Mikko Koivu and Joel Eriksson Ek didn’t help, but the Wild’s offense looked wildly inept. This despite an 8 goal output in their last offering versus Arizona, and putting 31 shots on Connor Hellebuyck, who would earn his 3rd shutout of the season.
1st Period
It was the Wild who would get this thing started on a sneaky good Staal pass, hesitating for just a moment, and then sliding the puck cross ice to Parise at the back door. No dice. Luke Kunin tried next from the slot on a nice feed from Jordan Greenway, but this time Pionk got in the way to defend against it. Laine would fight his way into the zone next, protecting the puck well, and get a shot off on Dubnyk, but we were still waiting for the onslaught. Staal feeding Parise again was the next threat, this time on a 3 on 2, but with the puck in tight it was Hellebuyck getting the upper hand.
Laine then had another heady takeaway in the neutral zone; is it just me, or is this happening much more often now? While we’re wondering about player tendencies; does Beaulieu use his feet soccer style more often than other players? Noticed him doing it again today and can’t remember a non-European defenseman relying on the skate kick more since Kevin Bieksa. Hey, if it works, it works.
It has been apparent that the Wild are not afraid to go to the dirty areas against this Winnipeg team, but really, how many really are? And yet, even undersized on the blue line, the Jets are never really bullied, only temporarily outmuscled. It might be said that, the Jets are the new NHL, but lack the “thickness” to go deep within it. Whereas, the Wild have thickness, but lacking what is required in the new NHL they can’t be taken seriously. Thoughts? That being said, when the Jets defense do finally clear the crap in front of the net, it comes at the cost of Sbisa sitting for 2. That call can gimme a break. Clearing the crease is as much a right as it is a rite of passage; stop being babies NHL.
No matter though, as Blake Wheeler would Wheeler the hell out of the next play. First by smartly chipping the puck off the boards to Lowry on the penalty kill, second by realizing all he has to do is outrace Zuccarello and his impossibly short legs down the ice for a 2 on 1, and lastly, to receive a golden Lowry pass to rip low blocker side for a 1 – 0 lead.
Still working their powerplay, Matt Dumba fires one in front that deflects off of Tucker Poolman’s skate and past Hellebuyck, narrowly missing the open cage. That’s followed up by a perfect cross ice Zuccarello pass to Parise who, once again is stoned by the blocker of Hellebuyck. Third one of those. Can we tighten up that neutral zone please, Winnipeg?
Or not, as in the dying seconds of the period, Connor gets oh so close to tapping one in, only to have his stick lifted at the last second and the puck cleared from the crease… but not the zone. As the puck comes around the boards to Pionk at the point, he sends it to Sbisa who hesitates just enough for Scheifele to get in position for his team leading 17th goal, on a deflection with 6 seconds remaining in the period. Time for a new point streak Marky!
In the intermission we were treated to Wheeler being either hilariously coy or genuinely spaced out, when asked about his upcoming achievement of accruing more points than anyone else in Thrashers / Jets history. Just check out the video. Haha, Wheels!
“What are you talkin’ about?” from r/winnipegjets
2nd Period
After seeming somewhat disengaged the last two games, Ehlers had some serious jump in his step, starting the second by wiggling his way into the zone for a quick snap shot. On the other end, a great opportunity unfolds for the Wild after a point shot is poked away from Hellebuyck by Donato, but the refs early whistle would prevent any further duress. Roslovic and Fiala would trade chances and then it was brought to my attention that Jansen Harkins was playing in his first NHL game. Sorry buddy, hadn’t noticed you in the game until then.
The next play would be difficult not to notice as Laine, receiving the pass just outside the opposition’s blue line, curls in and from about 5 feet past it, wrists a shot high blocker side that Dubnyk can’t keep up with. Sorry Duby, you just can’t sleep on this guy’s shot from anywhere.
Donato gets sent in alone past Bitteto for a second time, but this time the Jets defender would disrupt him enough to warrant a penalty. On the ensuing powerplay, the Wild would stick to the script and just try to get some shots on net. Wouldn’t make a difference though as the Jets took their 3 goal lead into the 3rd. They would also take a soon too be short lived powerplay when Marcus Foligno decided to goon it up on Sbisa as the period ended.
3rd Period
I mentioned the powerplay being short lived to take a run at the awful call made against Scheifele to start the 3rd. Going hard to the net, as is hockey religion, Scheifele merely bumps Stalock, who came in to relieve Dubnyk, and proceeds with the “one foot in the air while the other balances for effect until the comical backside flop” move. Truly embarrassing stuff to be calling that one.
6 seconds later Ehlers would make it a moot point, streaking in and receiving a perfect cross ice Connor pass, to go forehand backhand and stuff it in behind Stalock. Getting up off his rear for a very different reasons this time, Stalock angrily hurls the puck down the ice while we wonder why he thought 4 on 4 would help his old, slow team against the Jets.
I guess Connor is starting a new point streak too! The guy really does look like a Scheifele 2.0 out there, albeit one that surprisingly stays on his skates more than the 207 lbs center. Makes you wonder where that extra 25 lbs is living sometimes. Pionk and Fiala would get into a heated scrum for a moment until Fiala remembered that he doesn’t fight, ever.
Now on a 4 on 3 the Jets have all day to set up Patrik Laine and enjoy the show. Wheeler does the honors and adds a little more regret to ticket purchasers of Xcel Energy Arena’s Saturday afternoon event. Oh yeah, and Blake freakin’ Wheeler becomes the all-time highest scorer for the Thrashers / Jets franchise! Congratulations Blake! The organization, team, and city couldn’t ask for a better representative. Kudos!
One more feel good story on the day, and this time it’s a baby Jet instead of a grizzled vet. 22 year old Jansen Harkins, in his 1st NHL game, on a solid rush extends his body in stride and ahead of the Minnesota defender’s blade, curls the puck perfectly to Logan Shaw who barrels in and snipes a goal from close quarters. It took me a period to notice him but, he would only need 9 and a half minutes to immortalize himself in the NHL stats book. Well done Jansen! Looking forward to seeing more of what you can do.
Well how’s that for an afternoon affair? Really makes you wonder what’s next for the airport dockers, who will be taking on le bleu, blanc et rouge at 7:00 Monday night. Don’t miss it / ne le manque pas!
Winnipeg Jets Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»