Winnipeg Jets stun and surprise with 7-0 shutout victory over Florida Panthers -NHL Update
Winnipeg Jets just might have become a favourite team of many for making it into the playoffs as they showed some spectacular performances these past few days and now a huge 7-0 shutout victory over Florida Panthers on Thursday night, March 1, 2012, at the
sold-out MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
The home stadium in Winnipeg could not have been any louder as over 15,000 fans experienced one of the best contests from their newly relocated franchise in its first season in the National Hockey League (NHL) as the Jets team.
Being the third ranked team in the Eastern Conference, winning a 7-0 match overall for Winnipeg over Florida is certainly a benchmark and something to boast in upcoming contests.
Jets have now moved back once again into the eighth and last playoff spot, a point over Washington Capitals. Fans can be assured that Winnipeg will be competing for the spot against Washington till the final moment.
"It was a great [win] for us," said Winnipeg forward, Blake Wheeler. "We played really well. It was a game that we had to win, and we won it convincingly, so we feel good about that."
Players were excited to have taken over a big team and are definitely optimistic about the future.
"It was big game for us, and it was great to be able to prove to everybody that we're ready to play," said Evander Kane.
Kane definitely emerged as a leader for the Jets team as the young forward picked up four points (2 goals, 2 assists), for his first ever such performance.
He kicked off the Winnipeg shooting spree with his 25th of the year on a breakaway 4:01 into the contest. Jim Slater finalised the opening period at 6:03 with his ninth.
Kyle Wellwood, Bryan Little, Nik Antropov, Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler had a goal apiece in the third and final period of regulation for a complete domination of the Florida team. Winnipeg goalie, Ondrej Pavelec, was perfect, blocking all 33 shots on
the net.
It would not be surprising to see Winnipeg inaugurating a long winning streak with the momentum gained after this match. The Jets are set to host Buffalo Sabres on Monday.
Florida, having had their three-game winning streak snapped, will be hosting Nashville Predators on Saturday.
Tags: