Winnipeg Jets drop exhibition opener to Minnesota Wild

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Jets opened the pre-season with a shootout defeat.

The Jets suffered a 3-2 exhibition loss to the Minnesota Wild in the shootout on Monday at Bell MTS Place.

Both Jets goals came on the powerplay with sophomore Patrik Laine scoring late in the second period to tie the game at two apiece.

“It was tough.” Laine said. “I was exhausted and my legs weren’t feeling so good but during the season it doesn’t matter. It might be a dark Thursday in Winnipeg, your legs aren’t feeling good, you still need to play out there and play well. But I think it was OK for the first game.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It was tough." Laine said. "I was exhausted and my legs weren't feeling so good but during the season it doesn't matter. It might be a dark Thursday in Winnipeg, your legs aren't feeling good, you still need to play out there and play well. But I think it was OK for the first game."

Mathieu Perreault had the other Jets marker.

The Jets had the better scoring opportunities in the extra period but couldn’t beat Wild goalie Steve Michalek who relieved Niklas Svedberg after two periods. Ryan Malone scored the only goal in the shootout to give the Wild the victory. Laine, Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler all took shots for the Jets in the shootout.

Officials called a very tight game as they assessed a total of 17 minor penalties. The Jets finished the contest 2-for-10 with the man advantage while the Wild converted only one of their seven powerplay opportunities.

Charlie Coyle and Zack Mitchell both found the goal behind Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck ended up stopping 34 of the 36 shots he faced.

“It would have been a little more fun with the win but I felt really good.” said Hellebuyck.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It would have been a little more fun with the win but I felt really good." said Hellebuyck.

“I liked my game and I think there’s a lot of positives we can take from this and with that being said there’s a lot of things we need to continue to improve on.”

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Jets head coach Paul Maurice dressed a fairly veteran lineup with only four players suiting up who didn’t play for the Jets at some point last season. Logan Stanley made his NHL exhibition debut and wasn’t on the ice for either of the Wild’s goals. He logged 15:33 of ice time playing alongside Dustin Byfuglien. He registered one shot, one hit and he blocked four shots.

“It felt pretty good.” Stanley said. “It definitely makes it a little easier when you’re playing with a guy like Buff but I felt pretty good. It was kinda a tough game with all the penalties.”

The Jets will play their first five exhibition games over the span of just eight days and they’ll play host to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday at Bell MTS Place.

WATCH: Post Game Reaction

0:51 Wnnipeg Jets Post Game Reaction – Sept. 18

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