In a game against the Philadelphia Flyers, where they probably shouldn't have won, the Winnipeg Jets came from behind, hi-lighted by Mark Scheifele's late heroics, scoring on a nice pass from behind the net by Blake Wheeler with the Jets net empty with 48 seconds left to tie the game at two. The Jets won the game 3-2 in a shoot-out. It was Scheifele's 11th of the season.
The Flyers had a 2-0 lead going into the second, before Mathieu Perreault scored his second goal of the season in his first game back from injury on a two-on-one break with Joel Armia. Perreault had missed 12 games and hadn't played since opening night.
It took the Jets until the last minute of the third to rally for the tying goal due to missed opportunities because of sloppy plays, missed passes and give-a-ways. But what ultimately almost sealed their fate was once again their inability to stay out of the penalty box. The Flyers first goal in three games (they had been shutout in back-to-back games by the Minnesota Wild) came on a Dustin Byfuglien tripping call.
Ben Bishop was strong in net, continuing hi fine play within the confines of the BellMTS Centre. But as good as he was, Connor Hellebuyck was just a little better, as he outlasted Bishop in the shoot-out to lift the Jets to victory. Helle made 30 saves in the game.
In the first period, Mathieu Perreault was almost put back on the shelf due to a vicious slash to the back of his neck by Flyers defenseman, Radko Gudas. Gudas received a five minute major and a game misconduct. He's sure to face suspension by the league.
After Scheifele had tied it up late in the third, overtime solved nothing, but it was very tense and the Jets had a glorious chance in the dying seconds when Wheeler and Scheifele had a two-on-one, only to have Wheeler misfire on a on-timer.
Brandon Tanev was spectacular in the game, blocking at least two howitzers from the blue-line from Flyers defensemen in the third period, when again, the Jets were down a man. He deserved the Jets player of the game and to wear the pilots helmet in my opinion.
In the shoot-out, almost everyone scored and it looked like it would go more than the eventual two rounds, until Hellebuyck stopped Travis Konecny for the last save and the come from behind win.
2017 Number two overall draft pick Nolan Patrick was in the line-up, back from injury, but he was held pointless. In fact, I don't even remember hearing his name the whole game.
Patrik Laine's point-scoring streak was extended to sevn games, as he got an assist on the Scheiefle goal.
The Jets next face the New Jersey Devils Saturday at BellMTS Place.
