The first NHL pre-season game at MTS Centre for the Winnipeg Jets is upon us.
It’s a chance for the fans to once again show their appreciation for the return of the NHL to our fair city and it’s a chance for the players to soak up the atmosphere and shake off the rust.
Although it’s only the fourth day of main camp, Oct. 9 isn’t that far away. And with the split squad format in effect tonight, there will only be five more pre-season games after Tuesday for the Jets.
“It’s going to be great,” said Jets defenceman Zach Bogosian, will be playing against his brother Aaron for the first time in the contest. “It’s going to be a wild one. There’s so much hype going around and everyone has been waiting for this. It’s going to be a real good time.”
Jets captain Andrew Ladd can’t wait for one of the simple pleasures associated with being a pro hockey player.
“I’m sure it’s going to be a loud crowd and we’re definitely excited about it,” said Ladd. “It’s nice to get back in the routine and get the old game-day nap in there. This being the first game back, the excitement level is awesome for a pre-season game.”
Ondrej Pavelec expected to play two periods, while David Aebischer will play the third.
Here are the line combinations and D-pairing the Jets used during the morning skate.
Andrew Ladd – Janne Pesonen – Nik Antropov
Jason Gregoire – Alex Burmistrov – Shayne Wiebe
Ben Maxwell – Mark Scheifele – Kevin Clark
Ivan Telegin – Patrice Cormier – Troy Bodie
Mark Stuart – Dustin Byfuglien
Brett Festerling – Zach Bogosian
Arturs Kulda – Paul Postma
And courtesy of Aaron Porzline of Columbus Dispatch here are the Blue Jackets units (they skated in Ohio before chartering out Tues morning)
F1: Matt Calvert – Derick Brassard – Tomas Kubalik
F2: Alexandre Giroux – Ryan Johansen – Derek Dorsett
F3: Ryan Russell – Derek MacKenzie – Aaron Bogosian
F4: Dane Byers – Martin St. Pierre – Cody Bass
D1: Kris Russell – Dalton Prout
D2: Grant Clitsome – Cody Goloubef
D3: Aaron Johnson – Austin Madaisky
G1: Curtis Sanford
G2: Allen York
Categories: General