For their last game at home at the MTS Centre before the new year, the Winnipeg Jets decided to reward their loyal, win-starved fans with an early Christmas present; a victory over the visiting Flroida Panthers, 5-2. Their first home win in seven, count 'em seven tries.
On the strength of two power-play goals, 33 seconds apart as part of what started as a five-on-three for the Jets, but ended up with and extra 2:00 power-play. The Jets dominated the pace and finally showed that they can shut down games.
It seemed that every player donned in a Navy Blue jersey knew their assignments well and executed to a tee, thus making it difficult to praise any one individual.
But to name names you heard as play-by-play announcer Dennis Bayak's voice increasing with volume and excitement every time they were about to make something happen include, Jacob Trouba, Michael Frolic, Andrew Ladd, Tobias Enstrom, Zach Bogosian and Evander Kane. You'll notice that's three defencemen that helped garner the victory.
A good, all-round performance, as Coach Claude Noel's name had some baring on the outcome at this, the season of giving. Or, taking in the Jets case, as in two points.
The Jets are now back at .500 with a 16-16-5 record, good enough for 37 points. Although probably not good enough when you consider 74 points were up for grabs. A paltry 20 percent. But things are coming together me thinks. The younglings are starting to know and accept their roles. Trouba and Scheifele are going to make Winnipeg hockey fans proud for a long while. Kane, Wheeler, Frolic and Jokinen are starting to come on at the right time. A good run before the Olympic break could turn things around immensely.
And Poland could win the the gold medal at those very Olympics come this February. But I digress.
