The Winnipeg Jets took on the Calgary Flames in a thrilling opening to the 2021 season. Here’s what happened in tonight’s Jets game against the Flames.
Regardless of whatever team you may support, hockey fans were given an absolute treat of a game to watch tonight between the Winnipeg Jets and the Calgary Flames.
It is fair to say that tonight’s game did not disappoint and this game had all the makings of a great game to watch. The game needed overtime and the Winnipeg Jets eventually won their thrilling home opener 4-3.
Game Recap
The Jets looked a bit rusty in the first period and the Flames got on the scoreboard first, courtesy of a beautiful Matthew Tkachuk deflection. Rasmus Andersson fired a wrist shot from the point and Tkachuk redirected the puck in mid-air, which caused the puck to change directions and beat Connor Hellebuyck.
Patrik Laine answered for the Jets a couple of minutes later and tied the game at one. The goal started with a great save by Derek Forbort, who stopped Andersson’s chance on a wide-open Jets’ net. Kyle Connor then received the puck and turned up ice and passed the puck to Patrik Laine who was streaking down the middle.
Laine received the pass and had a breakaway. He walked it in and released a shot that beat Markstrom over his glove.
After this goal, the Flames controlled the play for the rest of the first period. Both Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm scored to give the Flames a 3-1 lead after the first period.
The Jets started to chip away at Calgary’s lead right off the bat in the second period. Just a little bit more than thirty seconds into the second frame, Mark Scheifele scored the Jets’ second goal.
Milan Lucic threw an errant pass in front of his own slot on the breakout and Nikolaj Ehlers intercepted the puck and ripped a shot at the Flames net. Markstrom made a great save but the rebound fell to Scheifele and he slid the puck home into the open net.
The Jets finally found the tying goal with less than five minutes remaining in the second. Winnipeg had a five-on-three-man advantage and put five forwards on the ice for the powerplay.
Patrik Laine had the puck just above the faceoff dot in the offensive zone to the right of the Jets net. He made a beautiful pass diagonal pass to Kyle Connor who was standing just below the left side faceoff dot. Connor rifled a one-timer that beat Markstrom on the near side and tied the game up for the Jets.
The Jets and Flames started the third period tied at three goals apiece. For most of the third, the Jets and Flames traded chances and both goalies were called on to make great saves.
Winnipeg’s best chances of the third game with three minutes remaining in the game. Markstrom came out of the net to play the puck and the Jets stole the puck and fed it to the slot. Andrew Copp had a shot at the Flames empty net and Andersson made a great diving block to keep the puck pit.
The puck subsequently fell to Scheifele and he shot the puck to the net and Markstrom made an absolutely fantastic sliding glove save to rob Scheifele from scoring the game-winning goal. The great saves by Andersson and Markstrom can be seen in the tweet below (courtesy of @NHL):
MY GOODNESS JACOB MARKSTROM (@j_markstrom)! #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/M8wzP3A3VX
— NHL (@NHL) January 15, 2021
Unfortunately for the Jets, they could not find the leading goal and the game ended tied at the end of regulation and the game went to overtime.
In three on three overtime action, Patrik Laine made a beautiful deception play in the defensive zone to create a two-on-one rush up the ice with Neal Pionk. Laine got his stick lifted when he went to release a shot and the puck stayed by him. Laine then ripped another shot at the net and it zipped past Markstrom to give the Jets the 4-3 win!
This was a great goal that capped a great comeback and amazing for the Winnipeg Jets in their first contest of their 2021 campaign.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: What are your initial reactions to tonight’s Jets comeback win? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats and Videos Provided by the NHL*