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           photo courtesy Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images

Fresh off a shootout loss just two days prior, the Winnipeg Jets were not phased as they played host to Montreal on Thursday night.  Ondrej Pavalec earned his third shutout of the season stopping all 27 shots he faced and Blake Wheeler led the way offensively with two goals and an assist as the Jets shutdown the Canadiens 4-0.

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The first period was great for the Jets, finishing off with two highlight reel goals (Blake Wheeler at 3:18 and Tanner Glass at 13:13). Wheeler's goal came off the power play during the first half of a double high sticking minor to Hal Gill. Glass followed up with his about ten minutes later converting a backhand saucer pass from Nik Antropov.

It was just 39 seconds into the second period for Wheeler to notch his second of the game and fifth of the season.  What began as a pass from goaltender Ondrej Pavalec to defenseman Ron Hainsey, was thrown up the right side to a waiting Wheeler and ended with a quick wrist shot under the blocker of Carey Price.  With the crowd continually chanting “Carey” to heckle the Montreal goaltender and the early 3-0 deficit, Price’s play did not suffer.  The Jets would have easily continued to run up the score if it were not
for the outstanding side to side play of Price. Though the remainder of the period was also aided by the four penalties the Jets incurred including a high sticking double minor to Chris Thorburn.

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The third was relatively quiet.  Thorburn's penalty that carried over from the second was quickly killed off, but after that it was all defensive containment.  

Wheeler's third point of the night came with about two and a half minutes remaining. His pass across the slot was sent to a waiting Tim Stapleton who had no trouble snapping it home. As the clock ticked down through the final seconds, everyone, even the third of the crowd that was dressed in red Canadians jerseys, were on their feet cheering the for the Jets win.

Winnipeg will play it's final game before the Christmas break on Friday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.


photo courtesy Marianne Helm/Getty Images

photo courtesy Lance Thomson/NHLI via Getty Images