Scheifele’s OT heroics set franchise goal-scoring record

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This article was published 24/02/2025 (269 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mark Scheifele still plans to chase down his idol, but for the time being, this overtime goal will be a memorable one to add to the record book.

After Nikolaj Ehlers ripped a snapshot from the slot, the Winnipeg Jets centre pounced on a rebound at 1:33 of overtime to propel his team to a dramatic 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Monday at Canada Life Centre.

In the process, Scheifele moved past Ilya Kovalchuk for the Jets 2.0 franchise record for goals by scoring the 329th of his NHL career.

The first-ever draft pick of the franchise back in 2011 needed 855 games to get to the top of the mountain.

“He wouldn’t believe it, that’s for sure,” said Scheifele, asked what that 18 year old kid standing at the podium at Xcel Energy Center after being chosen seventh overall would have thought about hitting a milestone like this one. “A kid from Kitchener, playing with the Kitchener Dutchman way back when I was 16, I never would have believed you. All you’ve got to do is trust in God’s plan and that’s what I’ve done.

“Obviously, I am very grateful for my family, the Winnipeg Jets organization. They were the ones who trusted in me. I just want to keep on playing well for them.”

Scheifele has said on multiple occasions that the record that he holds closest to his heart is the Jets 1.0 record of 379 that Dale Hawerchuk compiled over nine seasons with the organization during his Hall of Fame career.

“I’ve been thinking about that goal probably more than him. I envisioned it giving him a backdoor tap-in,” said Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey. “Obviously for him to get that OT winner and get the record, what an accomplishment. What he means to the city, this organization, from basically day one that the Jets came back.

“The first pick, the things he’s done in this community, for the fan-base. I mean you saw the fans embrace him. It’s special. He’s one of my best friends. You know, so happy for him. He works so hard. That’s a lot of goals, so it’s pretty impressive.”

Hawerchuk was Scheifele’s head coach with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League and also served as his mentor, right up until the time he passed away after a long battle with cancer.

“That’s a great accomplishment,” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel. “Just shows the longevity, how he’s played through his career, and he should be real proud of what he’s done so far. He’s got lots more to go, but to do it on a game-winner in overtime, he’ll remember that one.”

The Jets, who extended their winning streak to 10 games and improved to 41-14-3 for the season, are back in action on Wednesday as they open a two-game road trip against the Ottawa Senators.

Let’s take a closer look at this one:

THE EQUALIZER

For much of this game, it looked like the Jets weren’t going to be able to solve the puzzle that was Vitek Vanecek, who finished the game with 33 saves and was the main reason it looked like the Sharks might steal two points on the road until the late rally.

But for the second time in as many games since returning from the break, the Jets pulled the goalie and scored with the extra attacker.

On Saturday, it was Gabe Vilardi tipping a puck in with 28 seconds to go in regulation time and on Monday, Josh Morrissey played the role of hero, stepping into a slapshot with 25.9 seconds to go.

Morrissey’s shift late in the third period before scoring the equalizer was two minutes and two seconds on a night he played 29 minutes and 35 seconds.

“I just hoped it didn’t miss the net and I’d have to go back and get it again,” quipped Morrissey. “No, it was good. End of the game, (you) want to be out there. I guess that’s why you skate lines and do all that stuff to get in shape for those moments.”

Arniel had no issue with this extended shift by his star defenceman, who is just a few days removed from a nasty flu virus.

“Yeah, he’s a tough guy to pull off the ice. He wants to be (on) in those situations,” said Arniel. “We spent a lot of time just in their end, so it wasn’t like he had to race up and down the ice. Don’t always ever want to get yourself caught in that, but at the end of the day that’s one thing about Josh. His recovery is amazing. He said this morning he felt like he was 100 percent. (You) don’t always want to go quite that high with the minutes, but it certainly paid off.”

THE KEY PLAY

Nikolaj Ehlers unloads a snapper from the slot and Scheifele buries the rebound for the overtime winner.

THE THREE STARS

1) Vitek Vanecek, Sharks, finished with 33 saves.

2) Mark Scheifele, Jets, scored the overtime winner.

3) Josh Morrissey, Jets, scored the equalizer and had four shots on goal.

THE REFLECTIONS

Jets left-winger Kyle Connor took a few moments to reflect on his experience at the 4 Nations Face-Off, just like teammate Connor Hellebuyck and Team Canada D-man Josh Morrissey did the day before.

Connor had one assist in three games, starting the tournament on the top line with Jack Eichel and Matthew Tkachuk before bouncing around the lineup and being a healthy scratch in the championship final.

As someone who wants the puck on his stick with the game on the line, Connor was disappointed to be a spectator in the gold medal game.

“For sure, frustrating. I felt I could have made an impact, obviously,” said Connor. “The tournament, personally, wasn’t what I forecasted. Stuff like that happens, it’s such a short tournament. They went a different route. I’m proud to be a part of that team.

“It’s a learning experience. Something that motivates you to get better and get back on that stage and know that you can make a difference.”

After producing 10 shots on goal in Saturday’s 4-3 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues, Connor was heavily involved offensively again, finishing with four shots on goal and nine shot attempts.

Connor has gone five games without finding the back of the net, but he’s been dangerous and has plenty to build on as he’s assisted on a pair of critical goals during the past two games.

EXTRA, EXTRA

Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck made his 44th start of the season and made 16 saves. The only shot to beat him was a wicked one-timer from William Eklund during a Sharks power play at 15:07 of the first period. Hellebuyck’s best save of the contest came as he pushed post to post to stop a one-timer from Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini during a power play in the second period.

The healthy scratches for the Jets included defencemen Ville Heinola and Haydn Fleury.

Arniel said that forward Morgan Barron continues to progress and he could be an option to return to the lineup either against the Senators or on Thursday against the Nashville Predators.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld