WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Jets left most of their veterans in Winnipeg as they traveled to Calgary to face the Flames for their fourth pre-season game on Sunday.
Forward Bryan Little is one of the few exceptions as he will dress for his second game of the pre-season after sitting out Friday’s win over the Edmonton Oilers.
“I just think the more you play, the easier it gets anyways.” said Little. “The first game or two is always kinda rough trying to get back into it, and trying to shake off the rust, and get your timing and everything down.”
Little will start the game playing on a line with Patrik Laine and Joel Armia. He missed the final seven weeks of the regular season with a fractured vertebrae, last playing in a regular season game way back on February 18. So he was looking to play in a few more exhibition games than usual to try and get back in the groove.
“Maybe this year one or two extra just because I missed so much time last year.” said Little. “Every game, every period the more I play I feel like I’m going to get more comfortable and get more back into the rhythm of things.”
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Defenceman Josh Morrissey and forward Brandon Tanev will both be suiting up in their fourth straight exhibition game.
Morrissey, 21, has been averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game and has recorded a pair of assists. It’s a good sign for the Jets 2013 first round draft pick as he attempts to nail down a spot on an already crowded blueline.
“I want to play as many games as I can. I think the more games you play the more opportunity you have to show your game.” said Morrissey. “I know I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been. It gives me that confidence as well and I’m just trying to be really positive, not worry about if I make mistakes. Just enjoy it too. I mean it’s a great opportunity what I’m getting right now and I just want to make the most of it.”
But it won’t be a completely rookie laden lineup as Mark Stuart and Chris Thorburn will play against the Flames, and Ondrej Pavelec is expected to start between the pipes. Dustin Byfuglien, Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele are among the players not dressing as the Jets go in search of a third straight exhibition victory.
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Winnipeg Jets Lineup vs Flames
Goalies
1. Eric Comrie
31. Ondrej Pavelec
Defencemen
4. Paul Postma
5. Mark Stuart
7. Ben Chiarot
36. Josh Morrissey
47. Brian Strait
71. Julian Melchiori
Forwards
9. Andrew Copp
13. Brandon Tanev
17. Adam Lowry
18. Bryan Little
22. Chris Thorburn
29. Patrik Laine
40. Joel Armia
56. Marko Dano
72. Scott Kosmachuk
77. Chase De Leo
91. Alex Burmistrov
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