Jets Lose to Lowly Islanders in Shootout

I hate the shootout. Not because the Jets lost last night because they couldn't beat a weaker team, but because it's not the way a team game should end. Also because the Jets just don't seem to be very good at it.

If it wasn't for the brilliance of Ondrej Pavelec once again, the Jets may not have even escaped the usually safe MTS Centre with a point that they really didn't deserve. Frans Nielsen slipped a backhand past Pavelec to win it in a shootout.

Teemu Returns to Winnipeg, No Words Necessary

But, oh yeah, the Jets beat the Ducks 5-3.

Ovechkin Knots Late Winner to Sting Jets

Alex Ovechkin's semi-inept season didn't stop him from ending any momentum the Jets had after beating league-leading Minnesota, as he beat Ondrej Pavelec with a quick shot with 1:14 left in regulation to lift the under-achieving Washington Capitals over the Winnipeg Jets.

Jets Get Back on Track

It went down to the wire, butthe Winnipeg Jets have gotten back in the win column by defeating the NHL's hottest team, the Minnesota Wild 2-1 at the MTS Centre. The win marks the Jets fifth straight win at home and puts them one point ahead of the Washington Capitals for second place in the South-East division as well as stopping Minnesota's seven-game win streak.

Jets Claim Miettinen Off Waivers

The Winnipeg Jets have claimed Antti Miettinen of off re-entry waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning.The Jets hope to wrangle both the offensive and defensive talents of the Fin to help bolster their talents upfront.

Red Wings Humble Jets

In a game where it looked like the Jets were fatigued by the end of the second period and had no jump at all; you wouldn't know that this was a team who had just defeated the surging Boston Bruins and ended their regulation-game-winning streak since Oct. 29, as the Bruins had a run of 14-0-1.

That team disappeared Saturday, a game that I was at and had highly anticipated since the Bruins win and the following victory over Carolina. After the Wings made it 6-1 by the end of the second period, I couldn't take it anymore and left. Call it what you will, but I just couldn't watch anymore of that massacre. It only ended after Detroit added another one in the third for a miserable 7-1 final. The Jets worst loss since opening night against Montreal.

Jets Beat Red Hot Champs

The Winnipeg Jets were firing on all cylinders Tuesday as once again Ondrej Pavelec defied the odds and Bryan Little continued his points-scoring streak to help the Jets beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins 2-1 at the raucous MTS Centre.

The victory not only put the Jets over .500 for the first time this season at 12-11-4 including their first three-game winning streak, but it also snapped the Bruins point-streak of 29 points in their last 15 games that saw them go 14-0-1.

True North, Chipman Pleased with Realignment

So the NHL Board of Governors have approved a new alignment format for the 2012-2013 season.

The new alignment is very similar to the old alignment. If you remember the old Norris, Smythe, Patrick and Adams divisions of the 80's, it is pretty much the same. The East and West conferences will be made up of two "conferences" (why they just don't call them divisions is beyond me-probably because there will be seven and eight teams in each instead of the manageable five or six; too many teams perhaps?) with the West having eight in each conference and the East made up of seven each

This has the Winnipeg Jet brass smiling as it means not only will the league's superstars coming to visit Winnipeg at least once a year instead of once every couple of years, but the chance to renew old rivalries with Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and begin new ones with Chicago, Minnesota, St. Louis or Detroit.

Jets Down Devils

In a game which the Winnipeg Jets showed they are finally starting to come together and play as an elite, cohesive unit, the Jets played a gritty third period with Evander Kane scoring twice and Ondrej Pavelec once again holding down the fort as the Jets beat the New Jersey Devils 4-2.o hold off the New Jersey Devils 4-2 at the MTS Centre.

Jets Shutout Coyotes

The Winnipeg Jets rebounded from Tuesday's 4-3 OT loss to the Ottawa Senators by blanking the Phoenix Coyotes 1-0, thus giving not only Ondrej Pavelec his second shutout of the season, but also sending the Jets faithful home happy as the new Winnipeg franchise defeated the old Winnipeg club in the second game in the Battle of Pride.

Senators Down Fatigued Jets

After 11 of their last 14 away from the MTS Centre the Ottawa Senators took full advantage of a road-weary Winnipeg team as the Sens downed the Jets 4-3 in overtime.

Kelly Pots Two as Bruins Beat Jets

The Boston Bruins continue their surge as they came back from 2-0 to win 4-2.

Jets Beat Hurricanes

The Winnipeg Jets have gotten back to their winning ways as they beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 tonight.

Caps Take Jets in OT

Although the Jets kept Alex Ovechkin in check and Ondrej Pavelec was superb once again, they couldn't come up with that desperation goal as Jason Chimera scored his second goal of the game, at 1:52 of overtime, to give the Washington Capitals a 4-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night.

Jets Sweep Home Stand

Ondrej Pavelec played brilliant again, Bryan Little notched two more goals, Bufuglien got his fourth as all these factors-along with good penalty killing, including a Jim Slater short-handed goal-helped the Winnipeg Jets defeat the Philadelphia Flyers for the second time this season.

Although this was another game in which the Jets blew a four-goal lead and chintzy calls by the refs on Evander Kane led to Flyers power-play goals and the Jets let undisciplined play allowed a defensive breakdown, the hometown squad managed to capture the win; albeit doing it the hard way yet again.

Bryzgalov Apologizes for Winnipeg Remarks

Not that it matters much. We're still going to boo him every chance we get.

Military Reps Establish Rules for the Winnipeg Jets Logo

The Canadian Defence Department has given the Winnipeg Jets their marching orders when it comes to the hockey club's Air Force-inspired logo.

Kane Scores Twice, Pavelec Plays Brilliantly as Jets Knock Off Caps

The Winnipeg Jets were firing on all conceivable cylinders last night as they did what coach Claude Noel had been hoping for; they brought their "A" game in two consecutive outings and downed the Washington Capitals 4-1.

Slap Shot Story

Coach Claude Noel regales the press with his story of how he was a part of the minor league wars that involved the Carlson Brothers (Hansons) and a brawl and players that inspired the greatest hockey movie ever.

Jets Pencil Art

This excellent pencil art of the Winnipeg Jets entitled, "Refuelled" is by artist Jeremy Bresciani and can be purchased through his website here. I know I'm getting one. He also sells pencil art of the Edmonton Oilers and Saskatchewan Rough Riders as well as other sports-related themes.

Jets Skills Competition A Hit with Fans

Over 10, 000 Jets fans showed up to the MTS Centre on Tuesday night to see their local NHL team battle it out in a skills competition between inter-squad teams of blue and white after an open practice.

A couple of surprises to be sure, but I was right on picking Big Buff for the hardest shot. Not exactly going out on a limb there, I know.

Jets brass are hoping to make this an annual affair.

New Book: Forgotten Heroes-Winnipeg's Hockey Heritage

I know I still have yet to review Randy Turner's (not former Free Press columnist Scott Taylor as the following link to the article suggests) release, Back in the Bigs: How Winnipeg Won, Lost and Regained it's Place in the NHL (which was exellent) now comes along probably, historicallly speaking, a more important book on the history of hockey in Winnipeg.

Jon Thompson shares the story of Winnipeg author, Richard Brignall and his book.

Jets Get Licenced

The Winnipeg Jets, True North Sports and Entertainment are offering Manitoba hockey fans the opportunity to show their Jets pride as they unveiled specialty licence plates.
These aren't just vanity plate frames, but actual licence plates that display ones's licence number and insurance stickers.

The fees will go to Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation. The rest will be shared between Manitoba Public Insurance and the province. The plates retail for about $70.

Jets Hold First Annual Skills Competition

Set for tonight the Winnipeg Jets First Annual Skills Competition will feature the Jets with the hardest shot, the Jet who is the fastest skater, the most accurate shooter and the best in the puck control relay and there will also be a breakaway competition.

My money is on Bufuglien for the hardest shot.

Jets Snap 5-Game Skid

The Winnipeg Jets ended a 5-game losing streak as they toppled the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 in the friendly confines of the MTS Centre.

Jets Recall Jaffray and Kulda from St. John's

The Winnipeg Jets today announced they have recalled forward Jason Jaffray and defencemen Arturs Kulda from the St. John’s IceCaps and re-assigned defenceman Paul Postma to St. John’s.

Jets Losing Streak Extends to Five as Columbus Wins 2-1

The Winnipeg Jets managed to lose to the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 as they quickly lower themselves to the very bottom of the NHL cellar.

Hungry Panthers Dine on Inconsistent Jets

After the Panthers already had a 4-0 lead, it was only then the Winnipeg Jets decided to play with fire and produce a couple of goals to make it respectable. But by then the damage had been done.
After seven games on the road, you would figure the Jets would enjoy and benefit from their boisterous home crowd. Apparently not. And you can't really blame Kris Versteeg's hat trick as being the lone culprit.

Ever since the start of this recent road trip, the Jets have given up multiple goals and leads only to then play as a well-oiled machine when they did produce a victory. But they also did so even in defeat. When will the real Winnipeg Jets stand up?

Jets to Receive Canada Post Commemorative Team Stamp

This Thursday, Canada Post will commemorate the return of the Winnipeg Jets to the NHL with a stamp honoring the team.

Sabres Take Jets in OT

The Buffalo Sabres made full use of their 12 power plays (and more than a couple of questionable calls by the referee) and a short-handed goal to defeat the Winnipeg Jets 6-5 in overtime in a game that the Jets both deserved to win and at times not. Bryan Little finally notched his first goals of the season.
By the end of the first period it looked as though we might see another goal marathon as we did in Philadelphia the week before as the score was tied 3-3.

Jets legend Dale Hawerchuck was honored before the game as he was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame.
The Jets went a respectable 3-3-2 on this road trip with eight points garnered out of a possible 16. .500 on the road is not bad, as long as they can play at least .750 at home.