It was "return to glory" day for the Winnipeg Jets as they regained their form from a few weeks ago, laying waste to the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Flyers had the advantage early in the game going up 1-0 during a lacklustre first period for Winnipeg, but the Jets woke up in the second and tallied four times, sending Ilya Bryzgalov to the showers.
Once the game was theoretically out of reach, the action turned from excitement to brutality. While contests between the two teams are usually chippy, the afternoon's action was particularly touched up with violence as a rush of penalties and hits occupied the third period. While nothing was cringeworthy from this outburst - the lone injury coming from a blocked shot in the second by Luke Schenn - the game definitely had the air of physicality that makes for a great Saturday afternoon tilt.
Quote of the Game - Evander Kane
"Our season's on the line right now, and being down one after the first, we needed to have a bette forecheck with the five-man unit and I thought our D did a great job of keeping the puck alive in the offensive zone which created a lot of opportunities for the forwards."
Game Action
1st Period
- Fans jump on Bryzgalov early, doesn't shake the Flyers netminder though as he makes his first save of the game easily. Flyers are already showing strong attack that has pushed them the first few games of the season.
- Dustin Byfuglien is back on D today but jumps up into forward attack in an early shift.
- Pushing and shoving in the Jets zone circa the 4 minute mark results in nothing much... yet. Games between these two clubs are always intense.
- Pavelec is showing remarkable poise so far.
- Zach Redmond, who was back on the ice just a couple months after a life-threatening injury, is given a standing ovation by the Jets faithful midway through the first during a TV time out. Very classy.
- Early pushing and shoving turns more violent circa the 10 minute mark.
- Andrew Ladd gets a breakaway midway through the first but can't get a good shot on net as he aims for the top corner.
- Soon after, the Flyers get their first of the game as a point shot from Fedotenko handcuffs Pavelec high on the glove side. Kent Huskins, a former Manitoba Moose, and Simon Gagne get the assists. 1-0 Flyers
- Jets struggle to get their momentum back. At the 15 minute mark, the Jets are behind in shots 9-4.
- Jets continue to struggle even as they get some time in the offensive zone towards the end of the first.
- Philadelphia Flyers nearly get their second close to the end of the period. Pav comes up wiht the save.
1-0 Philadelphia Flyers. Shots: Phi - 13, Wpg - 4
Second Period
- Jets get back on the rush as the second period starts and start to amass shots along with a couple decent chances, including a Wheeler shot towards the 4 minute mark that Bryzgalov kicks out.
- First penalty of the game goes against Philly as a bench minor for too many men is called. Jay Rosehill serves time on behalf of the Flyers.
- Towards the end of the powerplay, a Tobias Enstrom slapshot hits Luke Schenn in the face and there's some definite damage as he bleeds off the ice.
- Near goal for the Jets soon after the stoppage, as a Bogosian slapshot rings off the post. Philly takes its timeout to regroup.
- Evander Kane takes down Matt Read near the penalty box and pays the price, going off for two minutes.
- Flyers taste time passing the puck around in their own end during the powerplay. They don't get a decent shot during the man advantage but do manage a post hit soon after.
- Game's past has slowed considerably. Jets are getting the vast majority of shots.
- With 7:22 left, Clitsome rifles a shot from the hashmarks off a beautiful feed from Bryan Little. Wheeler also picks up an assist. 1-1 Tie
- with 6:48 left, Kyle Wellwood cleans up after Kane puts in all the effort from behind the net. 2-1 Jets
- Jets nearly get a third as crowd gives Bryzgalov the gears, and it leads to a goal with 5:16 left... looks like the goal will be reviewed though. Bryzgalov fumbled his stick and somehow the puck appeared to go in. Referees conference and confirm. Credit goes to Kane off a pass from Santorelli. 3-1 Jets
- More pushing and shoving in the Jets end this time. If there's any reason to hate the Jets move west for next year, this is why.
- Bryan Little gets a Messier shot for a goal. Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd get the A's with 0:54 left. 4-1 Jets.
- Jets fans escort the Flyers to the dressing room with chants of "Ilya".
4-1 Jets. Shots: Phi - 18 Wpg 16
Third Period
- Steve Mason gets his first taste of ice with the Flyers.
- Flyers apply pressure early in the third, but frustration boils over. Jay Rosehill and Chris Thorburn lay into each other for some solid time. No decision. Five for fighting.
- Bogosian goes off at 5:40 for two minutes due to interference. During the pwoerplay, chippy work continues. No sign of this feud letting up.
- Give the Flyers credit, they rack up quite the number of shots over the powerplay.
- Game gets even chippier as Wayne Simmonds gets too physical and goes off for two.
- Hartnell goes off at 13:56 for two due to interference, ensuring the game is indeed out of reach. No action on the powerplay but the Jets needn't risk anything now.
- Byfuglien goes off for two as he sends Kent Huskins literally flying into the boards to wrap up a great day of action at the MTS Centre.
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