14°c Overcast
12°c Rain
WINNIPEG JETS
Record: 24 – 21 – 3
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Noel says more ‘A’ games needed from players
Coach Claude Noel leads his players at practice this morning. (JOE BRYKSA/ WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
Related Items
Winnipeg Jets head coach Claude Noel can read the National Hockey League standings as well as the next person. And he can be blunt: what he’s seen from his team after one quarter of the season leaves him wanting more.
Much more.
"Where do we stand at the quarter pole? I don’t like the way we play," began Noel today after practice. "So, does that answer your question? I don’t like the way we play. I just don’t think we play hard enough. We have to play harder. We have to win more battles and we have to play with way more urgency.
"If you’re asking me if I’m happy… we’re OK. We’re one game under .500. There isn’t a panic or anything, but we know we can get better. We know we can play better. We have to play harder and we need more production from more players. It’s that simple. If I get more ‘A’ games, everything else will look after itself. That’s what we need in a nutshell and they know that."
The Jets are 5-6-1 after 12 games, third in the Southeast Division and 11th in the Eastern Conference. They’ll play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins Friday at 6 p.m. (CBC/TSN 1290) and the Boston Bruins on Sunday before heading out for their longest road trip of the season.
Newcomer Eric Tangradi, acquired in a trade Wednesday with Pittsburgh, was not able to get a flight to Winnipeg in time to make Thursday’s practice, but Noel said he will be immediately inserted into the lineup. Goaltender Eddie Pasquale will also suit up, presumably as the back-up to Ondrej Pavelec, after his recall from St. John’s. Noel said Montoya’s ‘lower-body’ injury will keep him out at least this week and will be further evaluated on a weekly basis.
Meanwhile, defenceman Zach Bogosian is ready to go, but Noel said his return to the lineup will be a game-time decision.
Twitter: @WFPEdTait
More Winnipeg Jets
- Back to Top
- Return to Winnipeg Jets
Poll
Most Popular Winnipeg Jets
- Ready for prime time
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Jets sign defenceman
- Colts drop Game 7 in OHL final
- Buff just 'sitting around a lot' now
- Kane's days are numbered in 'Peg
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Scheifele’s dominance makes Jets look wise
- Jets in recovery mode
- Ready for prime time
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- Colts drop Game 7 in OHL final
- Scheifele’s dominance makes Jets look wise
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Kane's days are numbered in 'Peg
- Jets sign defenceman
- Jets have Olli on board
- The Great Canadian Hockey Quiz
- Enough of Buff: Get rid of him
- For first time, Jets GM Cheveldayoff is poised to put stamp on the franchise
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Young prospects will get every opportunity to stick with the big club: Cheveldayoff
- It's broke - Fix it
- Jets' playoff hopes dealt fatal blow
- This end-of-season scenario old, and Jets fans and players know it
- Win against Montreal Jets' last hope in playoff push
- Jets edge Sabres
- Caps just too much for Jets
- Enough of Buff: Get rid of him
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- It's broke - Fix it
- Summer could be a sizzler
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Saturday's game had it all -- what a blast
- Jets edge Sabres
- For first time, Jets GM Cheveldayoff is poised to put stamp on the franchise
- Current Jets tackle trivia test — and so can you
- Jets down two more key players
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.