|
Jets fall to Preds in bizarre game |
|
|
|
|
|
LEt's get one thing out of the way- the Preds played a better game. They finally showed up for the game 7 they wished they played last May against the Winnipeg Jets. Passion, drive and force as they came at the Jets with a zeal lacking in their do or die match from last spring.
The Jets matched the intensity of their hosts and the game looked to be the fastest of the season seen thus far in the NHL and clearly not October hockey. Then things became unglued.
What proceeded to happen through the first and second period was not simply poor officiating, it was the slow unraveling of one team, guilty of taking penalties but also victimized by an officiating crew who allowed the game to become unglued.
First the Jets were their own worst enemies but 8 straight penalties against them some rather tricky-tacky, and others obvious. What becomes the point of concern, at least from a Jets perspective, is they could do no right in the officials eyes while Nashville could do no wrong so the question of 'what are you calling?' becomes relevant. On one PP Byfuglien was blatantly tackled in front of the net, tripped up in a position battles and then pulled down. No call. This was an impossible play to miss but if a Jet breathed on a Predator the arm was up.
Eventually it all boiled over and tempers erupted. It was stewing all night and finally the lid came off and of course the Jets got the short end of the stick. That's the way it was last night but it could have been different.
Myers could have known he would get a misconduct for his clapping at the official. Maurice could see his players were unglued, use a time out to gather them in. Let them vent at the bench, swear at the glass, break a stick, but get them composed.
In the end the game settled a bit, tempers calmed and they played hockey. The difference was the Preds put the puck past an excellent Connor Hellebuyck when they took advantage of Jets mistakes. The Jets did no on Rinne.
Fans will fret about the 3-0 loss but consider this- in all situations the Jets had one less shot than the Preds. At 5 vs 5 they won the shot battles and shot attempts too but that's small comfort given the game and the result. Also remember that the Jets were this exact 2-2 record last season and had only played one team that had eventually made the playoffs (Maple Leafs) and were getting out chanced regularly. This game may just as well have been about luck and opportunity as anything else.
The final point the needs emphasis is the officials did not determine the outcome of this game but they were a factor in it. There's a distinction between the two and if the NHL wants it's officials to take a role this was probably not the way to do it. When you allow tempers to flare to the point of guys who never fight dropping the gloves you have lost control and that's what happened last night.
With 4 more games between these two teams we can only imagine what comes next but one thing is certain- it probably won't disappoint.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
Join the Discussion:
»