The Winnipeg Jets started their three-game California road trip with a matchup against the Anaheim Ducks last night.
This was the third and final time the Jets and Ducks would meet this regular season. Both teams had a victory against each other, so the winner of yesterday’s game would win the season series.
The first period did not have much action at the Honda Center as neither of the sides scored and the opening twenty minutes finished goalless.
Winnipeg started the second period strongly, as Evgeny Svechnikov opened the scoring just over two minutes into the game. This goal was also Svechnikov’s first goal of the year and first as a member of the Winnipeg Jets.
But the Jets lead did not last long as the Ducks tied the game three minutes later courtesy of a Sonny Milano goal.
The teams traded chances the rest of the second period, but both goalies stood strong and the teams entered the third period tied at 1-1.
The third period was absolutely wild to watch as it included five goals between the sides.
The Winnipeg Jets trailed at two different times during the third but battled back to win
Josh Manson gave the Ducks the lead a minute and a half into the final frame, but Andrew Copp answered four minutes later with a goal of his own to tie the contest.
Then with eight minutes remaining in regulation, Trevor Zegras scored to give the Ducks a three-two lead.
Unfortunately, Winnipeg could not equalize for the next six minutes. That all changed for the Jets when Nikolaj Eheler’s line took to the ice in the final two minutes of the game.
The Nikolaj Ehlers’ Show
In the dying minutes of yesterday’s game, Ehlers put his slow start to the season behind him en route to scoring the game-tying goal with Hellebuyck pulled.
Ehlers and the Jets then followed this goal up with the game winning goal just nineteen seconds after tying this game. It was a quick offensive zone faceoff play for the Jets and Ehlers threw a spinning shot at the net that bounced off a player in front of Anaheim’s goal and past Gibson to give Winnipeg a 4-3 lead.
This was a great comeback win for the Jets. Although they were outshot, they continued to chip away at the Ducks’ lead in the third and were rewarded for their efforts in the final stages of the game.
It is also worth noting that this win is also the Jets’ first away victory of the 2021-2022 regular season.
3 Winners
1) Nikolaj Ehlers: 2 goals, 1 assist
2) Andrew Copp: 1 goal, 2 assists
3) Winnipeg Jets’ Penalty Kill: 100% Success Rate (3 for 3)
With the win versus the Ducks, the Jets are currently on a three-game winning streak and a four-game point streak. The Jets will be back in action on Thursday night as they head to Los Angeles to take on the Kings.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: What are your reactions to the Winnipeg Jets’ thrilling 4-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks? Leave your comments below!
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