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With the 4 Nations Face-Off break formally starting this morning, a lot of the Jets gamers could have a a lot earned week+ off earlier than they return to play on February twenty second. Gamers gained’t “formally” return to the ice in Winnipeg till February 18th for an optionally available skate. Kyle Connor and Connor Hellebuyck shall be members of staff USA, whereas Josh Morrissey will symbolize Staff Canada. Mark Scheifele stays on “alert” for Staff Canada because the “subsequent man up” if an damage substitution is required previous to last staff rosters being finalized and submitted this afternoon, two days earlier than the video games start.
Hopefully this “new” event lives as much as all of the hype the NHL hopes it delivers, however within the meantime it doesn’t imply we will’t preserve speaking concerning the 2024-25 Jets common season to date. The Jets proceed to take a seat at no 1 within the league standings via 56 video games performed with a 39-14-3 document. Friday evening, the Jets defeated the Islanders 4-3 to increase their present league greatest win streak to eight. The Jets improved to 22-5-3 at residence this season, and this recreation was further particular to me because it was the first time I obtained to see the Jets reside in particular person at Canada Life Centre. Earlier than I get into my expertise surrounding the Jets on my 2 1/2 day journey from Vancouver to Winnipeg, I simply must rattle off some ideas on what I like about this staff heading into this mid-February break.
It’s not a lot of a “shock” what my 3 favorite issues concerning the Jets have been up till this level. My 1st thought is concerning the Jets 1st line, as a result of wow have they ever been good up to now via 56 video games. The trio of Scheifele, Connor and Vilardi have mixed for 183 factors this season, and as you’ll see later after I speak about watching this line reside, they’re a reputable risk each time they hit the ice.
The 2nd large “thought” I’ve concerning the Jets via 56 video games is the shear brilliance of Connor Hellebuyck. A 34-7-2 document with a 2.06 GAA and a .925 save proportion are all simply bests within the NHL. Until a significant fall off occurs within the subsequent 20+ video games, Hellebuyck is ready as much as win his third profession Vezina, which might put him tied for prime 10 in NHL historical past.
A last thought that’s been on my thoughts concerning the Jets has to do with the roster strikes they’ve made up to now this season. Regardless of some damage troubles, the Jets have stayed inside their group for replacements, recalling gamers from the Manitoba Moose when wanted. At first, I used to be questioning to myself “when are they going to make an actual transfer”, however then I noticed that the method they’re taking now could be simply superb. I’m sure that GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has some commerce targets in thoughts previous to the deadline, however with how good this staff is enjoying, there’s no want for any “panic” strikes. I nonetheless suppose the Jets ought to add one “important” participant on the deadline, however I’m assured the staff could make this transfer on the proper time previous to the deadline.
Shifting on to my journey to Winnipeg, and shock, for those who didn’t know already, I reside close to Vancouver. Over the previous few years, I’ve been doing brief journeys to completely different Canadian cities with NHL groups. I’ve been to Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton, and subsequent on my checklist (in no set order) was Winnipeg. I arrived in Winnipeg on Thursday early within the afternoon and left on Saturday morning, so I didn’t have an excessive amount of time to discover town, however the primary purpose why I used to be there was to see the Jets.
Aside from the “major occasion” which was the Jets recreation, I went to the Human Rights museum and the Forks Market (and the final space round there) previous to the sport. One of many 1st issues I did after checking in to my resort (which I didn’t plan earlier than) was go to the Jets staff retailer. As a hockey jersey collector, I knew it was time to get one other Jets jersey, as the one 2 I had have been outdated Laine ones. As I explored round Jets Gear (the staff retailer), I noticed that Adidas jerseys have been 25% off, and I couldn’t assist however get a third jersey of Connor Hellebuyck, plus a Fanatics t-shirt of Kyle Connor. As a fellow Connor, I couldn’t assist however help the Jets’ Connors, who additionally occur to be my favorite 2 gamers from the staff.
Quick ahead to Friday evening, and it was lastly time to see the Jets reside at Canada Life Centre. I arrived simply earlier than gates opened, and I form of preferred how their have been little “ready rooms” inside the sector earlier than the gates. I assume they do that due to how chilly it will get in Winnipeg (I’m not used to that form of chilly), however nonetheless it was cool to see varied entries factors like that across the area.
Entry into the sector was very fast and simple which I preferred, and the first factor I did was stroll across the decrease degree, which took much less time than I believed it could have. I additionally observed that there have been some distinctive and attention-grabbing meals choices at Canada Life Centre, which was a pleasant change from seeing the identical “typical” stadium meals that you just see at most different NHL arenas. One factor that confused me was learn how to attain the 300 ranges. I didn’t actually see any signage for it, however I believe the one methods up have been from both outdoors or from the staircases, but it surely didn’t actually matter since I used to be in part 111.
After some exploring, I took my seat, and the first factor I observed was how small the jumbotron was in comparison with the brand new one right here in Vancouver at Rogers Area. I suppose I didn’t understand how spoiled we’re to have that factor, however the Jets nonetheless did job of displaying all the mandatory information with restricted area. I used to be seated midway up part 111, so I obtained to see the Jets shoot in direction of my aspect twice. 1 minute into the sport, the Islanders opened the scoring, however I wasn’t anxious one bit that the Jets wouldn’t be capable of battle again. Iafallo tied it up 3 minutes later, earlier than the Islanders obtained a little bit of a bizarre one to take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
One thing I observed all through breaks and intermissions was the shortage of “leisure” for the followers in comparison with different arenas I’ve been at. I’m all the time at a hockey recreation for the sport itself, however there have been elements of the sport (when the sport wasn’t on) the place it seemed like some followers have been “out of it”, however maybe that’s simply due to how the sport was going on the time. The 2nd interval was when the Jets have been capturing on the other aspect of the place I used to be seated, but it surely was their greatest interval of the evening. The highest 6 seemed superb all through this recreation, however within the 2nd interval Vilardi scored twice separated by one from Ehlers.
The Islanders made it 4-3 with 9 minutes to play, and after that time the depth within the area picked up. The Jets weren’t capable of get a final minute empty-netter to seal the win, however they nonetheless managed to carry on for the 4-3 win. My total impressions of my gameday expertise at Canada Life Centre can be “someplace within the center”, in comparison with the NHL arenas I’ve been to previous to this one.
I would wish a extra in-depth rating to clarify my full expertise extra intimately, but it surely was nonetheless a terrific evening of hockey the place I obtained to see the Jets change into the primary staff to achieve 80 factors on the season. I left Winnipeg the next morning very glad with my brief keep, and my total impressions of the downtown space have been higher than I initially anticipated.
The followers (together with myself) have been hoping that they might have seen Scheifele rating his Jets franchise document breaking 329th objective, however that should wait now till no less than February twenty second. Keep tuned right here at Jets Nation, as I’ll break down every of the Jets performances throughout their 3 (or 4) video games on the 4 Nations-Face off event, which begins on Wednesday evening with Morrissey and Staff Canada taking over Staff Sweden at 7:00 PM CT, on MAX, truTV, TNT, SN and TVAS.
