Mar 1, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec (31) watches the puck during the hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
This Saturday’s afternoon game didn’t start off too great for the Winnipeg Jets. It was a game of playing on the penalty kill and Ondrej Pavelec stealing the show. Nashville came close, when Shea Weber ripped one off the post in the last minute of the first.
The Jets got their chance on a power play early in the second period and capitalized. Ollie Jokinen got the goal on the power play from Evander Kane and Jacob Trouba at 5:02. The Winnipeg Jets had to kill off a penalty after there was an altercation between the two teams at center ice, an altercation which left many people confused. Winnipeg killed off the penalty and it was back to even strength. Zach Bogozian hammered a slap shot late in the third that was tipped by Andrew Ladd going in and the game was now 2-0.
Going into the third period, the Jets were wanting to get the third goal and seal the deal. Nashville tried and tried all game but couldn’t beat Ondrej Pavelec. Finally, Simon Moser cracked Ondrej Pavelec on a tipped shot at 9:11 and gave Nashville some hope. Blake Wheeler had showed his speed every time he was on the ice. Late in the third, he was awarded, getting an assist on Devon Setoguchi’s goal by driving to the net.
Setoguchi’s goal in the third period would restore the two goal lead and with Ondrej Pavelec’s stellar goaltending, the Winnipeg Jets picked up another victory this afternoon. These last few games I would think would be huge to Ondrej Pavelec who is needing to get confidence back after the Olympics.
Winnipeg is now on a two game win streak since being back from the Olympic games and a big part of their success would be attributed to Pavelec and the fact the Jets have made very few errors. Up next for the Winnipeg Jets, the New York Islanders will be in town for a 7:00 PM start on Tuesday.
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