1 week Ago By Gordon Anderson
The Jets made franchise history on a Windy City Saturday night. Cole Perfetti scored the winner in the shootout as the Jets beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 in Chicago. “Yeah, I mean it’s taken us 80 games to get this division,” head coach Scott Arniel told reporters in Chicago.
” It’s been a grind and I don’t care how we got it. It’s finally, to get that over and done with, it’s a relief.” Perfetti’s winner came in the third round when his shot snuck between the legs of goaltender Spencer Knight.
Kyle Connor also scored in the shootout for the Jets. Mark Scheifele missed for Winnipeg. Connor Bedard scored for the Blackhawks in the shootout.
Ryan Donato and Teuvo Teravainen missed with their opportunities. With the win, the Jets clinched both the Western Conference and Central Division titles for the first time in franchise history. “It wasn’t a masterpiece, but it was nice to close it out and solidify home ice, for hopefully a long run,” captain Adam Lowry said.
“We haven’t really accomplished anything yet. We are still focused on the goal ahead, but to have a small reward for the work we have put in throughout the year is a nice little feather in our cap.” Josh Morrissey scored twice for the visitors.
Nino Niederreiter and Connor also scored for the Jets (55-21-4). Winnipeg won all three games against Chicago this season. The Jets beat them 2-1 and 4-2 in previous games.
The Jets improved to 13-6-2 when tied after two periods of play. The club has outscored the opposition 103-73 in third period action through 80 games. Nikolaj Ehlers collided with a linesman at the Chicago blueline in the second period before tumbling to the ice.
He was helped off the surface and did not return. Ehlers played 8:01 in 11 shifts. “Any time you see a player, friend or teammate go down you are concerned,” Lowry said.
“We haven’t heard anything yet, but we are hoping for the best.” Mason Appleton fell to the ice and crashed into the boards during the first period after Knight stopped his attempt on goal. The Jets have earned points against the Blackhawks in 12-straight games, going 11-0-1 in that span.
The streak is the longest consecutive point streak against any team in Jets/Thrashers history. Connor Hellebuyck (46-12-3) stopped 28 shots for the win. Hellebuyck has won three straight games.
Nick Foligno, Bedard, Ryan Donato and Frank Nazar scored for the Blackhawks (23-46-11). Knight (16-16-3) turned aside 37 shots in the loss. The Blackhawks’ first shot on goal resulted in a short-handed marker as Foligno intercepted Hellebuyck’s clearing pass and shot the puck between the goaltender’s legs and into the back of the net.
The Jets finished the season with a 26-15-0 road record. The Jets set the previous franchise mark for road success with 25 victories last season. Winnipeg hosts the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday evening at 6 p.
m. at the downtown rink. Jets a hot playoff ticket as first round sells out'They own it': New-look Jets on late-season hit parade.
