Winnipeg Jets snap losing streak with 3-1 win over Ottawa Senators -NHL Preseason Update
The crowd could not have been happier at the Mile One Centre in St. John’s. Newfoundland, Canada, home of Winnipeg Jets minor league affiliate team, St. John Icecaps, as Jets and Ottawa Senators battled it out on Monday, September 26, 2011, giving the newly
relocated team a 3-1 victory.
"The crowd was really good", Jets recently appointed coach, Claude Noel, said. "We felt welcomed. It was hard to say who they were cheering for, but it was all good. I thought it was very well-run and very professional. I think everything went real smoothly".
Winnipeg finally snapped their losing streak, which had become two straight away preseason matchup losses against Nashville Predators and Carolina Hurricanes.
Even though Senators lost, they had a great time playing in front one of the most active crowds in recent seasons.
"I think it's awesome," Senators coach, Paul MacLean, said. "I enjoyed every minute of it. I'd like the result to be better, but it's a tremendous privilege to be in this League and if you have an opportunity to give something back to a small community,
I think it's great”.
The first 20 minutes remained scoreless for both teams as Mike Hoffman and Matt Carkner of Ottawa Senators gave four minutes combined in penalty time, but managed to kill it before Winnipeg took advantage.
Mark Scheifele added his third of the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) preseason during a power play opportunity which carried over from the last period on an assist by Tim Stapleton.
Troy Bodie extended Jets lead during the final minutes of the second period, which ended with Chris Neil of Ottawa exchanging fists with Troy Bodie to give both teams only four players to start off with next period.
Mika Zibanejad showed his presence by taking advantage of his own added man as captain Daniel Alfredsson found him open to put Ottawa on the scoreboard when Winnipeg’s Derek Meech was booked for holding at the 4:20 mark.
Senators remained scoreless after that while Ben Maxwell scored the finalising shot for his first with less than seven minutes remaining.
Jets will be flying back to Winnipeg for the last two remaining preseason matchups on their schedule against Hurricanes on Wednesday and Predators on Friday. Ottawa on the other hand, faces-off against Toronto Maple Leafs next day on Tuesday.
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