Winnipeg Jets open pre-season with a win

WINNIPEG – It wasn’t exactly a thriller but the Winnipeg Jets started the pre-season with a hard fought 2-1 win over the visiting Minnesota Wild.

Dustin Byfuglien scored the game’s first goal on the power play with a blast from the point late in the second period.

Bryan Little then beat Ilya Bryzgalov on his own rebound five minutes into the third to extend the Jets’ lead.

Tyler Graovac ruined the Jets’ shutout bid with 14 seconds left in the third.

Andrew Ladd had two assists while Michael Frolik and Tobias Enstrom had the other helpers.

Ondrej Pavelec was perfect in a period and a half, making 15 saves before giving way to Michael Hutchinson. Hutchinson stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced. The Wild outshot the Jets 28-18.

Jets first-round draft pick Nikolaj Ehlers was kept off the score sheet and failed to register a shot in 16:13 of ice time.

The Jets’ next exhibition game is Wednesday at home to the Edmonton Oilers.