Victorious blast from the past

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/01/2017 (3184 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A gigantic spark of Pavelec-tricity struck the MTS Centre Wednesday night.

Then, just as quickly, the power fizzled out.

But the Winnipeg Jets flicked a switch in the second period with three consecutive goals by forwards Blake Wheeler, Andrew Copp and Joel Armia and some splendid work between the pipes from recently promoted goalie Ondrej Pavelec to surge ahead and burn the Arizona Coyotes 6-3 — saving themselves a whole lot of embarrassment had things gone poorly.

Winnipeg halted a four-game winless skid, improving to 21-23-4 against a Coyotes squad (13-25-6) that looked every bit like the Pacific Division cellar-dwellers they are.

With a palpable buzz in the building, Pavelec, 29, considered the goalie of the past after being dispatched to the American Hockey League prior to the start of the 2016-17 NHL season, promptly allowed goals on the first and sixth shots he faced in his return to NHL action.

Called up from the Manitoba Moose to help shore up the Jets’ struggling goaltending, he was immediately thrust into the fray by head coach Paul Maurice.

The Czech-born netminder couldn’t handle a low shot by right-winger Josh Jooris just 2:49 into his first NHL game of the season.

Winnipeg centre Bryan Little’s deflection of a point shot by rookie blue-liner Josh Morrissey tied the game just 47 seconds later, but defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson regained the one-goal lead on a two-man advantage for the visitors with a laser beam that sailed over Pavelec’s right shoulder at the 8:50 mark.

You could almost hear the collective ‘Uh, oh’ from fans seated down by the glass all the way up to the nose-bleed sections at the MTS Centre.

But he rebounded with 30 saves in all — including a couple of acrobatic stops that were, at times, his trademark in five up-and-down seasons as the Jets’ No. 1 netminder.

Pavelec made two particularly sensational saves in the second period, sliding across to stop left-winger Brendan Perlini after a great setup from centre Christian Dvorak with about 10 minutes left in the period and Winnipeg ahead 3-2.

Four minutes later, he was sprawled out, but managed to reach out his stick and stop a shot by Radim Vrbata that looked like a gimme for the veteran forward.

In the most improbable blast from the past imaginable — considering his position on the team’s goalie depth chart to start the season — chants of “Pavy! Pavy!” rained down.

It was just like old times for a goalie marked by inconsistent performances over the years in both Atlanta and Winnipeg.

Afterward, he sounded more relieved than elated.

“Well, it wasn’t my best game in NHL, that’s for sure,” said Pavelec. “But it was nice to get the win. I couldn’t get into the game, the first shot on goal, the 5-on-3, first shot on the power play, another goal.

“It was tough. Without the guys, I wouldn’t be able to bounce back and get the win.”

Wheeler, the Jets captain, whose tap-in past Arizona starter Mike Smith at 3:03 after a nifty pass from centre Mathieu Perreault ignited the Jets offence in the middle frame, was impressed with the resolve of Pavelec, a former second-round pick of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2005.

“He’s great,” Wheeler said.

“I’m sure there were some nerves for him. It’s kind of a unique situation he’s in. I think after the first, he settled in there and made some big saves for us.”

Solid second period

Uncharacteristically, the Jets — down 2-1 and outshot 12-8 in the first period — flashed some style and substance in the second period, which has given them all kinds of fits this season

Winnipeg had trailed after the first periods of their four previous defeats and was 2-11-2 this season when chasing after 20 minutes.

On this night, however, the Jets’ passes were crisper and on target and their shots found the mark.

“I just like how the team respond,” Pavelec said. “I think as a goalie, you get called up from the AHL, you can’t ask more from the team in front of him. I think the guys battled so hard.

“I think they realized the goalie would be struggling in the first period. It’s a nice comeback and was nice to get the win in the first game, that’s for sure.”

Defenceman Jacob Trouba and winger Nikolaj Ehlers beefed up the lead with goals in the third period.

The Jets had 14 players with at least a point, including Dustin Byfuglien, who had a pair of assists.

Rookie defenceman Jakob Chychrun scored late for the Coyotes, while ex-Jets forward Alex Burmistrov drew an assist. Burmistrov had a top-line assignment, centring Vrbata and Tobias Rieder, a role he longed for in Winnipeg.

Maurice said he was pleased for his veteran goalie.

“I’m happy for him, really happy for him,” the coach said.

“Going to the minors at this point in his career is a humbling thing. And he figured out how to handle it and get himself back.”

Maurice wouldn’t commit to Pavelec as his starter Saturday when the St. Louis Blues come to town.

“Oh, it’s early eh? This is (five) games in nine nights for our hockey team… so we’re going to take (today) off,” he said. “He’s feeling good, we’re feeling good. I probably won’t be changing a whole lot.”

Connor Hellebuyck, who has been inconsistent this season, served as the backup against Arizona.

Michael Hutchinson did not dress as the club carries three goalies for the time being.

Coming up

 The game was the first of four in a row at home for Winnipeg.

The Central Division-rival Blues visit the MTS Centre Saturday afternoon (2 p.m.).

After that, a pair of Pacific Division squads come to town: the Jets play host to the Anaheim Ducks Monday and the San Jose Sharks Tuesday (both are 7 p.m. start times).

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca         

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell