Winnipeg Jets Comeback For First Preseason Win

By Brendan Macgranachan | Sep 30, 2015

It looked like another disappointing preseason showing for the Winnipeg Jets through 40 minutes Tuesday night.

Instead, the Jets turned it on in the third period, scoring thrice and then in overtime, Mark Schiefele completed the comeback to give the Jets a 4-3 win, their first of the preseason.

As I eluded to in the Minnesota game recap, it’s just preseason and there isn’t a whole lot to get worked up about. But had the third period not happened and Jets staggered to yet another lifeless loss, this time with an actual NHL lineup on the ice, it would have been an uncomfortable feeling watching them head into the final stretch of the preseason winless and without much to cheer about.

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It was nice to see the veterans step up with the game on the line. I thought Blake Wheeler had a good game for Winnipeg, scoring the first goal of the comeback and maybe bringing the team a bit more life when he fought Bobby Ryan. Another guy who stood out is a player with tons of eyes on him this preseason, Nic Petan.

Petan looked great in his 12:18 of ice and with each growing day, appears like he may be a Jet come opening night. With Andrew Copp looking all but locked in as the #4 centre, head coach Paul Maurice used Petan on the wing once again and he didn’t look out of place. He even drew some praise from his head coach afterwards, via the Jets’ official website:

“When you have a guy like Nic there, you can use him to create more offence and put a bit more risk in the game,” said Maurice. “I thought he played a really smart game.”

Jets take on Calgary at home on Thursday.

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