Benny and the Jets http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/ en bmswpg@gmail.com Copyright 2012 2012-02-21T17:48:41+00:00 Make it Four? http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/make_it_four/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/make_it_four/ The Philadelphia Flyers are in town tonight to take on the Winnipeg Jets, who look to make it four wins in a row and a chance to claim top spot in the Southeast Division if they can scare up two points. The Jets have beaten the Flyers on all three occasions they’ve met, the wild 9-8 win being the definite, uh, highlight of the bunch. Sunday’s performance 5-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche was admirable – the team played the body well, managed a pair of power play goals and survived a treacherous second period thanks to the goaltending of Ondrej Pavelec. Blake Wheeler had four points en route to earning the league’s second star of the week honours, an honour aided in no small part to the efforts of Bryan Little. The Philadelphia Flyers are in town tonight to take on the Winnipeg Jets, who look to make it four wins in a row and a chance to claim top spot in the Southeast Division if they can scare up two points. The Jets have beaten the Flyers on all three occasions they’ve met, the wild 9-8 win being the definite, uh, highlight of the bunch.

Sunday’s performance 5-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche was admirable – the team played the body well, managed a pair of power play goals and survived a treacherous second period thanks to the goaltending of Ondrej Pavelec. Blake Wheeler had four points en route to earning the league’s second star of the week honours, an honour aided in no small part to the efforts of Bryan Little.

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]]> 2012-02-21T17:48:41+00:00 BMS Another first - Jets win back to back games http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/another_first_-_jets_win_back_to_back_games/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/another_first_-_jets_win_back_to_back_games/ The Winnipeg Jets looked shaky at times, but in the end they had what they needed to beat the Bruins 4-2 at home, successfully winning back-to-back games for the first time this season. And it couldn’t have come at a more crucial time – with a stretch of games at home through February and just a couple points back from a playoff spot, it was do or die time for the Jets. Winnipeg-Jets The Winnipeg Jets looked shaky at times, but in the end they had what they needed to beat the Bruins 4-2 at home, successfully winning back-to-back games for the first time this season. And it couldn’t have come at a more crucial time – with a stretch of games at home through February and just a couple points back from a playoff spot, it was do or die time for the Jets.

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]]> 2012-02-18T15:57:23+00:00 BMS Kane terrific in Twin Cities, Jets down Wild 4-3 http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/kane_terrific_in_twin_cities_jets_down_wild_4-3/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/kane_terrific_in_twin_cities_jets_down_wild_4-3/ It took 65+ minutes of play to do it, but the Winnipeg Jets got a much-needed road win last night in Minnesota, downing the Wild 4-3 in a shootout in a game that saw a key player return to form. Evander Kane had seven shots, scored twice, added a helper and potted the shootout winner last night, and for the first time since being sidelined by a concussion in late 2011 was a truly dynamic presence on the ice. Winnipeg-Jets It took 65+ minutes of play to do it, but the Winnipeg Jets got a much-needed road win last night in Minnesota, downing the Wild 4-3 in a shootout in a game that saw a key player return to form. Evander Kane had seven shots, scored twice, added a helper and potted the shootout winner last night, and for the first time since being sidelined by a concussion in late 2011 was a truly dynamic presence on the ice.

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]]> 2012-02-17T16:35:57+00:00 BMS Jets blow it at home against the Isles http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/jets_blow_it_at_home_against_the_isles/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/jets_blow_it_at_home_against_the_isles/ In a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders last night, the Winnipeg Jets were anchored by a toothless power play that managed two shots on three opportunities with the man advantage. Yes, “anchored” because this aspect of the Jets game kept the team from moving forward and essentially sank the team. I know, teeth can’t have anchors - such is my frustrated state of mind after watching last night’s increasingly pathetic outing. I won’t even bother calling it an effort. Winnipeg-Jets In a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders last night, the Winnipeg Jets were anchored by a toothless power play that managed two shots on three opportunities with the man advantage. Yes, “anchored” because this aspect of the Jets game kept the team from moving forward and essentially sank the team.

I know, teeth can’t have anchors - such is my frustrated state of mind after watching last night’s increasingly pathetic outing. I won’t even bother calling it an effort.

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]]> 2012-02-15T16:40:58+00:00 BMS Pens Thrash Jets 8-5 http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/pens_thrash_jets_8-5/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/pens_thrash_jets_8-5/ Tim Stapleton, Kyle Wellwood, and the Penguins’ Jordan Staal all drew back in to their respective lineups on Saturday afternoon, and each factored into the scoresheet. Having said that, it wasn’t hard to pick up a goal or assist in this game, as the Winnipeg Jets fell 8-5 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Consol Energy Center. Evgeni Malkin had five points as Ondrej Pavelec had one of his trademark stinker games – these types of performances by him are less frequent as of late but clearly still lurk in the shadows. Granted, he faced 39 shots, but he probably should have been pulled at the end of the second period at the latest, when the Jets were down 5-3. Winnipeg-Jets Tim Stapleton, Kyle Wellwood, and the Penguins’ Jordan Staal all drew back in to their respective lineups on Saturday afternoon, and each factored into the scoresheet. Having said that, it wasn’t hard to pick up a goal or assist in this game, as the Winnipeg Jets fell 8-5 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Consol Energy Center.

Evgeni Malkin had five points as Ondrej Pavelec had one of his trademark stinker games – these types of performances by him are less frequent as of late but clearly still lurk in the shadows. Granted, he faced 39 shots, but he probably should have been pulled at the end of the second period at the latest, when the Jets were down 5-3.

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]]> 2012-02-11T22:15:48+00:00 BMS Jets surge late, win crucial game against Caps http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/jets_surge_late_win_crucial_game_against_caps/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/jets_surge_late_win_crucial_game_against_caps/ After 40-some minutes of hockey, I was feeling like I had seen this Washington Capitals/Winnipeg Jets game before. This game appeared to be headed in the same direction as so many as of late this year – lackluster offense from the Jets, with Ondrej Pavelec’s goaltending keeping the game close before an inevitable loss. When the Capitals scored two quick goals, it seemed my suspicions were being confirmed – the Jets were going down on the road without a fight. Then, with a 6-on-3 situation (a two-man advantage plus goaltender Ondrej Pavelec on the bench for the sixth attacker) and less than three minutes left in the game, Evander Kane scrambled forward and put the puck past a sprawling Tomas Vokoun. Still, I thought, too little too late After 40-some minutes of hockey, I was feeling like I had seen this Washington Capitals/Winnipeg Jets game before. This game appeared to be headed in the same direction as so many as of late this year – lackluster offense from the Jets, with Ondrej Pavelec’s goaltending keeping the game close before an inevitable loss. When the Capitals scored two quick goals, it seemed my suspicions were being confirmed – the Jets were going down on the road without a fight.

Then, with a 6-on-3 situation (a two-man advantage plus goaltender Ondrej Pavelec on the bench for the sixth attacker) and less than three minutes left in the game, Evander Kane scrambled forward and put the puck past a sprawling Tomas Vokoun. Still, I thought, too little too late

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]]> 2012-02-10T20:55:40+00:00 BMS Jets score more than once, win game (!) http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/jets_score_more_than_once_win_game/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/jets_score_more_than_once_win_game/ Finally back in their own barn, the Winnipeg Jets broke the Toronto Maple Leafs’ five-game winning streak with a hard-fought 2-1 win in a game that had many a momentum shift. At times the Leafs rolled into the Jets’ zone with ease, blowing past pinching/flat-footed defenders, while at other times the Jets handled Toronto’s finest with ease. Phil Kessel started the scoring off by grabbing a nicely banked pass from Joffray Lupul, skating across the Jets’ defensive zone and blasting a wrister past Ondrej Pavelec for his 30th goal of the year. I don’t get a chance to watch Kessel all that much, but man did he look good out there. Winnipeg-Jets Finally back in their own barn, the Winnipeg Jets broke the Toronto Maple Leafs’ five-game winning streak with a hard-fought 2-1 win in a game that had many a momentum shift. At times the Leafs rolled into the Jets’ zone with ease, blowing past pinching/flat-footed defenders, while at other times the Jets handled Toronto’s finest with ease.

Phil Kessel started the scoring off by grabbing a nicely banked pass from Joffray Lupul, skating across the Jets’ defensive zone and blasting a wrister past Ondrej Pavelec for his 30th goal of the year. I don’t get a chance to watch Kessel all that much, but man did he look good out there.

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]]> 2012-02-08T14:22:20+00:00 BMS Habs drop Jets 3-0 in a stinker http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/habs_drop_jets_3-0_in_a_stinker/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/habs_drop_jets_3-0_in_a_stinker/ Call it Stupor Bowl Sunday, Super Bore Sunday or whatever else you want, Sunday’s Winnipeg Jets-Montreal Canadiens afternoon game at the Bell Centre saw one team play sloppy hockey and the visitors play even worse. Coming off a 3-0 loss yesterday afternoon – also at the Bell Centre – the Montreal Canadiens turned around and shout out the Winnipeg Jets 3-0. The Habs scored once on the power play, once shorthanded and once at even strength. The Jets came out and played a hard opening half of the first period, but quickly had their energy slip away as the game wore on. A late first-period goal by Max Pacioretty sent the Jets back to the dressing room down a goal, and they weren’t ever able to right the ship, so to speak. Winnipeg-Jets Call it Stupor Bowl Sunday, Super Bore Sunday or whatever else you want, Sunday’s Winnipeg Jets-Montreal Canadiens afternoon game at the Bell Centre saw one team play sloppy hockey and the visitors play even worse. Coming off a 3-0 loss yesterday afternoon – also at the Bell Centre – the Montreal Canadiens turned around and shout out the Winnipeg Jets 3-0. The Habs scored once on the power play, once shorthanded and once at even strength.

The Jets came out and played a hard opening half of the first period, but quickly had their energy slip away as the game wore on. A late first-period goal by Max Pacioretty sent the Jets back to the dressing room down a goal, and they weren’t ever able to right the ship, so to speak.

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]]> 2012-02-06T14:15:44+00:00 BMS Sunshine State swing nets Jets two of four points http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/sunshine_state_swing_nets_jets_two_of_four_points/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/sunshine_state_swing_nets_jets_two_of_four_points/ The Winnipeg Jets leave Florida with two of a possible four points – not the ideal situation, especially considering the two points they picked up were in a 2-1 overtime win against Southeast Division rivals the Tampa Bay Lightning. Rather than significantly close the gap on the Florida Panthers (to whom they lost 2-1 in regulation on Friday night) and Washington Capitals – both in their division and both ahead of the Jets – Winnipeg only managed to cobble together enough to keep things close in the race for the final couple of playoff spots. It’s tough to gain any momentum when your team can’t put the puck in the net, something the Jets have been struggling with as of late. Snipe Evander Kane continues to sit out with a concussion, although he had been ice cold in his last ten or so games in action. The team only has six goals in the last five games, a number that won’t win you many games (although, miraculously, the team won two of those five). Winnipeg-Jets The Winnipeg Jets leave Florida with two of a possible four points – not the ideal situation, especially considering the two points they picked up were in a 2-1 overtime win against Southeast Division rivals the Tampa Bay Lightning. Rather than significantly close the gap on the Florida Panthers (to whom they lost 2-1 in regulation on Friday night) and Washington Capitals – both in their division and both ahead of the Jets – Winnipeg only managed to cobble together enough to keep things close in the race for the final couple of playoff spots.

It’s tough to gain any momentum when your team can’t put the puck in the net, something the Jets have been struggling with as of late. Snipe Evander Kane continues to sit out with a concussion, although he had been ice cold in his last ten or so games in action. The team only has six goals in the last five games, a number that won’t win you many games (although, miraculously, the team won two of those five).

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]]> 2012-02-04T14:02:49+00:00 BMS Jets outlast Flyers 2-1 http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/jets_outlast_flyers_2-1/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/benny_jets/comments/jets_outlast_flyers_2-1/ Despite that wild 9-8 Jets win early in the year, last night’s Winnipeg Jets/Philadelphia Flyers game got off to a somewhat predictably slow, cautious tilt – heck, there weren’t even any shots on net until over halfway through the first period, and only 13 in total (7-6 Jets). It was, after all, the first game for both teams since the All Star break, so both teams needed some time to find their groove/calilbrate, so to speak. Oh yeah, I missed the All Star action because of my trip to California – I trust it was as completely riveting a game of hockey as one might imagine. I did genuinely miss hockey while I was away, but took some comfort in the fact that I wasn’t missing a game so much as a glorified skills camp. That and the fact that I was visiting some darn nice wineries every day helped numb the pain of missing hockey. Despite that wild 9-8 Jets win early in the year, last night’s Winnipeg Jets/Philadelphia Flyers game got off to a somewhat predictably slow, cautious tilt – heck, there weren’t even any shots on net until over halfway through the first period, and only 13 in total (7-6 Jets). It was, after all, the first game for both teams since the All Star break, so both teams needed some time to find their groove/calilbrate, so to speak.

Oh yeah, I missed the All Star action because of my trip to California – I trust it was as completely riveting a game of hockey as one might imagine. I did genuinely miss hockey while I was away, but took some comfort in the fact that I wasn’t missing a game so much as a glorified skills camp. That and the fact that I was visiting some darn nice wineries every day helped numb the pain of missing hockey.

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