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Jets win ugly, but win nonetheless

October 22, 2018, 11:54 PM ET [40 Comments]
Peter Tessier
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Up until about the first minute of the third period the Jets were in the process of laying a rather large egg. Going down 2-0 quickly to the St. Louis Blues, actually there were down 1-0 before the alternate anthem singer had even made it to her seat, the Jets somehow rallied back.

Goat horns on that goal were worn by Chiraot. The second goal had Joe Morrow don the head gear as his skate deflected the shot in and that was the 2-0 lead and the listless Jets were on a quick descent.

Insert aviation metaphor here.

Skates seemed to be a theme as it was Mark Scheifele who gave the fans some hope when he banked a shot off Jay Bouwmeester's skate to bring the Jets within one. That was the lone highlight for the Jets for the first 40 minutes. There were lots of lows though and really was there anyone other than Morrissey who stood out as not lost?

Wheeler and Scheifele were far from their ordinary selves. The only thing they didn't fight in the first 40 minutes was each other as almost everything they did seemed to be a battle. Add in Ehlers, Laine, Perreault (when he was on the ice) and just about every other Jets forward to the list of players not having a good time.

The Blues were feeling some good fortune but also creating it as well when Dunn managed to coral a puck that came off Hellebuyck past Trouba's stick and through his legs before hitting the back of the net. It was a good play with some puck luck to seal the deal and at that point most fans probably assumed it was going to be 'one of those nights'.

It actually got worse when Branden Tanev took a 5 minute major and a game misconduct for his hit on Ryan O'Reilly. The game misconduct was because he drew blood. The problem with this call was that it was not wrong but maybe not right either and hardly something called with any consistency across the NHL. The result was a 5 minute Blues power play that had a quick hooking call happen against the visitors to give the Blues only 3 minutes in advantage which the Jets killed off.

Then it happened. Some turned to Monday Night Football, others turned down the volume but within a minute of the third period Ben Chiarot made amends for his first period gaffe when he put a seeing-eye shot past a screened and confused Jake Allen. That was the spark and something changed with the team. All of a sudden the line blender was out Perreault was finally being used as he moved up with Copp and Lowry and Wheeler and Scheifele started figuring out they were actually pretty good hockey players.

The Jets forechecked, the cycled and the back checked and they pressured the Blues in all ways possible. Maybe there is a switch?

Scheifele scored 3 minutes after Chiarot and it was a tied game and true enough the most dangerous lead in hockey proved that adage again. The Blues were not done, and less than two minutes later the regained their lead when Perron was left alone in the high slot as a trailer when no Jet decided follow him in. Hellebuyck had a chance but not much.

The next 14 minutes were nothing short of the Jets fans came to know and love last season where they came in waves, shots from all over and basic chaos in the opposition zone. Where was this? No seriously where was it for the last 40 minutes and much of this early part of the season.




Could they actually do it? Well with the goalie pulled and controlling play in the Blues end the Jets created chances but not until Byfuglien got the puck waited for chaos and launched the shot into the storm of bodies. Waiting and ready to pounce was Bryan Little who had an easy chip into a wide open net as Jake Allen looked on helplessly.

They made it to OT and there's probably more bad memories for the Jets in OT than good but this one proved different as the teams traded chances but again it was Scheifele down low who managed to get the puck back with help from Trouba. Scheifele down low has always been dangerous and this was no different as he took the puck behind the net and saw a streaking Connor from the point. The puck was on his stick for a second when it came, maybe less as Connor moved it right back to Trouba, through traffic in front of the net and on the blade for a tap in. 5-4 Jets win.

Scheifele with 2 goals and 2 assists. Not bad.

The amazing thing is what seems to go wrong for the Jets, passing, puck control, reads, and more all seems to come together for the final 24 minutes of the game. It was an epic about face and certainly questions about the second intermission need to be asked. Ugly wins count just as much as pretty ones and for a team about to face the Maple Leafs on Wednesday the Jets showed some jam that has been missing this season, jam many worried the Leafs would lap up.

It must be what Blues fans feel about Jake Allen




The last period may have soothed some fears but given the inconsistent nature of the team thus far, what version of the Jets shows up is still a concern. Take the two points and run though, regroup and get ready for the first of two against Toronto.
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