Jets in fine spirits ahead of Red Wings encounter

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This article was published 13/02/2015 (3864 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DETROIT – A quick skate and a few laughs and the Winnipeg Jets are on to the next adventure.

The Jets held a practice at the venerable Joe Louis Arena Friday but head coach Paul Maurice held a number of his players out, including newcomer Tyler Myers.

Myers blocked a shot late in Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Nashville Predators, but Maurice said he’d be fine for Saturday’s date with the Red Wings.

“Everybody is good,” said the coach.

The Red Wings have won nine of their last 11 and head coach Mike Babcock says he’ll use veteran Jimmy Howard in goal.

The Jets were sour after Thursday’s loss which saw them put 33 shots on the Nashville net but only come up with one goal. The mood was light on Friday and included goalie Michael Hutchinson throwing some of winger TJ Galiardi’s gear in the shower after the rookie was sprayed following practice.

In the wake of last week’s clothes in the shower incident in Vancouver which kicked off the Evander Kane affair, Friday’s hi jinx shows this team still has its sense of humour.

Homecoming: For defenceman Jacob Trouba, getting to play an NHL game at Joe Louis is another step in his journey as a pro.

“I grew up about a half hour from here so there will be lots of friends and family at the game,” said Trouba. “I didn’t get to play here last year so I’m looking forward to it.”

Trouba said he only made it to a handful of games in Detroit over the years.

“My family was more of a baseball family so we came in for Tigers games more the Red Wings games,” said Trouba, who played college at the University of Michigan and grew up in Rochester, Mich. “But growing up we played all of our state championship games here. So this will be pretty cool.

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