Winnipeg, MB:
Teppo Numminen's goal wasn't pretty, but it was enough to lift the Jets to a 1-0 victory over Chicago Friday night and earn them their first win on the season. Numminen streaked down the right side and was met with strong Chicago opposition. A weak shot was mishandled by Belfour and put the Jets on the board. The sellout cround of over 16,000 came to life, as it was the first and only time the Jets had a lead over the Blackhawks in the entire four-game set.
The Jets dropped the season open 3-1 to Chicago and then proceeded to take a 5-1 shellacking the folliwing game, prompting coach pyl85 to call out his players individually. "We need to play like the team we know we can be," pyl85 said. "If we are going to be competitive in this league we need to play a more physical game. Roenick walked all over us last night. I want to see Housley or Teppo knock him on his [backside] as soon as he crossed the blue line." pyl85 added, "and we need to see stronger goaltending from Essensa, playing the kind of hockey we know he is capable of." pyl85 went on to say that if Essensa's play doesn't improve, he may be dealt for an equally mediocre goaltender.
After another 4-2 loss, Friday's victory showed the Jets finally answer pyl85's call. Essensa recorded his first shutout on the season and strong play by Numminen and Housley kept the Blackhawk snipers at bay. Keith Tkachuk, who was rotated in on left-wing, was impressive, as well. "His physical play was just what we needed and he meshed well on a lite with Selanne and Zhamnov," pyl85 commented after the game. "He has the potential to be a major star in this organization. He hit, what, three posts in a row that one shift?" pyl85 added. Let's see if the Jets can build on this momentum in games to come.