Zip-for-3 in Penticton no biggie for young Jets

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This article was published 19/09/2016 (3355 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PENTICTON, B.C. – Three straight losses didn’t sit well with Pascal Vincent.

But the defeats, coming in a span of four days for the Winnipeg Jets and capped by a 4-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers Monday at the Young Stars Classic NHL rookie tournament, weren’t really that much to worry about for the bench boss.

There could be no suggestion Winnipeg’s young players were somehow inferior to rookies from the other participating teams — Oilers, Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames. Winnipeg outshot Edmonton 37-27 and dominating possession for much of Monday’s game.

“I think we got better as the games went on,” said Vincent, who will serve as head coach of the AHL’s Manitoba Moose this season. “Today, regardless of the score, the players were moving in sync, getting to know each other.

“… It’s an exciting time. I really like our prospects. I really like our team. There’s gonna be some good battles at Jets (training) camp.”

The Jets rookies scored only four goals in the tournament but they witnessed a breakthrough for much-heralded right-winger Kyle Connor, who scored for the first time in the tournament.

With any luck, he would’ve had a few more as he continued to develop productive chemistry with fellow 2015 first-round draft pick Jack Roslovic. Connor and Roslovic look like they can motor all day.

Connor converted Roslovic’s perfect feed past Edmonton goalie Keven Bouchard at 9:40 of the first period. The duo was dominant on subsequent power-play opportunities

Edmonton’s Jaedon Descheneau would even the score at 1-1 later in the period. Patrick Russell scored the game-winner in the second, while hyped college free-agent signing Drake Caggiula and Joey Benik sniped in the third.

Connor, meanwhile, sounded relieved one of his nine shots finally found the back of the net.

“From start to finish, we definitely improved in everything — structure and habits,” he said. “I thought it was a good progression.”

Vincent was pleased with the shifty Connor and expects the 19-year-old to make a very good account of himself when Jets training camp opens later this week.

“He’s got the speed and we’re looking for speed,” said Vincent. “There’s a reason he got drafted where he got drafted. There’s a reason he was a good player last year (at the University of Michigan). Just to show some confidence and bring that to main camp.”

Towering blue-liner Logan Stanley, just 18, also looked more self-assured Monday and he said he felt better about his performance in the finale.

“I just think (about) how fast you have to do everything,” he said. “Puck movement, going back and getting the puck. The preparations were huge with three games in a short time.

Eighteen-year-old goalie Mikhail Berdin also made a favourable impression on the boss, despite allowing four goals on 27 shots.

“(He’s got an) ability to move the puck and that’s an asset,” said Vincent. “He’s intense, he’s aggressive in the net and we like that. He’s got good potential.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter @sawa14