The Winnipeg Jets were just two points above the playoff bar. That means any combination of one loss on their part, combined with one win by the wrong team, and they could be on the outside looking in. It was a razor thin margin to be sure, and that brought a sense of desperation to their game. From the opening drop of the puck, the Jets played like a team possessed, with utter determination to win the race for every loose puck while checking like a gang of frenzied carnivores.
Before it was all said and done, Winnipeg fired 43 shots on Arturs Irbe, who must have been wondering what happened to our usual puck possession game. Down 4-to-1 with 8:17 left in the game, Pavel Bure managed to get us within two, but that's as close as we'd come. Minutes later, the Jets added an empty netter to put the finishing touches on a 5-2 win.
Later in the dressing room...
GM/HC: "We need to take this game as a learning experience. This is what can happen when you play a desperate team. It's very difficult to match their level of emotional intensity. They've got everything to lose, and we've got nothing to lose, except our self-respect. Great teams rise above and find a way to outmatch their opponents, and everyone in this organization believes, this is a great team!"
- - - - - - -
Week: 20