How Do You Say WIN in French?
By Southerndraw
With all of the focus around the hiring of Canadiens new coach, all eyes were focused on how the Montreal Canadiens would deal with the spotlight of interim Coach Randy Cunneyworth. Apparently in Montreal, if you can’t speak French, you can’t coach their team. I joke, I joke.
The Canadiens came into Winnipeg on a four game skid, they would leave displaying a 5 game losing streak. Much talk has been around non-French speaking Coach Randy Cunneyworth. The Jet’s would show no mercy to the slumping Habs all night long. Winnipeg’s Blake Wheeler would bust open the scoring just 3:18 into the 1st period. Wheeler received a cross crease pass from Byfuglien and Wheeler was able to wrist the rubber bullet into the net. Wheeler would not be finished for the night. 0:39 seconds into the 2nd period, Wheeler made a nifty move along the boards and would beat Carey Price on the short side. Wheeler would also connect for a primary assist on Tim Stapleton’s goal late in the 3rd. Wheeler would finish with 3 points. Also chipping in on the scoring would be Tanner Glass. Glass snapped a shot past Price 13:13 into the first.
The big story of the night was the outstanding goaltending clinic that Pavelec displayed, and the penalty kill unit for the Winnipeg Jets. Granted, the Montreal Canadiens only had 6 shots in the first period and 5 in the third period. The Canadiens opportunity to close the gap came in the 2nd period when Winnipeg found themselves having to kill off 4 penalties. The PK unit, combined with Pavelec, would outlast the Canadiens valiant effort to score. Pavelec would earn a clean slate, stopping all 27 of Montreal’s shots.
The Jets will take on Pittsburgh Friday night. Winnipeg looks to stay hot at home and propel themselves to another victory in front of their rowdy crowd. This will be the 2nd meeting between the two teams. The last time they faced off against each other Winnipeg escaped with a 2-1 victory. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m at the MTS Centre. Follow me on Twitter @Southerndraw81. As always Fly High!!!