‘Self-inflicted’ loss: Uncharacteristic miscues leave Jets coach frustrated

The frustration was palpable and Scott Arniel didn’t hold back in his assessment.

The message from the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets in the aftermath of a 3-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Sunday was both succinct and direct.

The overriding theme after a 1-2 homestand left the Jets with a record of 6-3-0 was that the Jets still have plenty of work to do in order to reach the high standard they’ve set for themselves.

Arniel was thrilled with the way the Jets played during a high-paced, tight-checking first period but couldn’t believe how quickly things changed during the second.

“The first period was perfect. That’s the type of game you have to play,” said Arniel. “It’s the first time all year long that we played all 18 skaters the way we need to play, for that period. We stayed over top of people, we got pucks deep, defended from the inside out, we were physical, we attacked the net, got through the neutral zone.

“The second period was the exact opposite.”

Arniel was just getting started and went through a litany of issues that require further attention.

“Self-inflicted,” said Arniel. “We just decided that maybe that was too much hard work and we didn’t think we could do it for the second period. It’s a broken record. We keep seeing this in the second period and we keep talking about these second periods.”

Video sessions have identified the problems, yet the execution required for the solutions to be successful very much remains a work in progress.

“We’re in Game 9 here. It’s time to end that stuff,” said Arniel. “It’s about playing 60 minute games in this league. What we did in the first period was hard work and it has to happen each and every shift and it has to happen from all four lines and all of our D.

“Our DNA is usually our work ethic and our compete and I didn’t like what we saw in the second period.”

Arniel wasn’t the only one exhibiting frustration over uncharacteristic miscues.

“The goals obviously stand out because they were goals, but there was just stuff throughout the game,” said Jets defenceman Dylan DeMelo, who scored his first goal of the season and logged nearly 23 minutes of ice time. “Things we preach on all year so far that we haven’t been able to do for 60 minutes, with regards to gaining zones, getting pucks in, establishing our forecheck. It seems like the second period has been our achilles heel in regards to drop off for some reason. The first period was great, I thought it was a really great period from our group.

“That was the exact blueprint of what we wanted to do for three periods. Then in the second period we got away from it. We’ve got to stay with it and stay patient with our game. We’re still trying to find that right now.”

The Jets are back in action on Tuesday with a road game against the Minnesota Wild.

Let’s take a closer look at what transpired on Sunday:

The knockout punch

There’s no better example of what’s been ailing the Jets than what transpired on what ended up being the game-winning goal from Mammoth forward Dylan Guenther.

With a battle for the puck in the corner in the defensive zone, the Jets got caught puck watching a bit, which allowed Guenther to come off the bench after a change and find a quiet zone in the high slot.

After Logan Cooley came out with the puck after JJ Peterka got rocked with a hit, Cooley identified Guenther in the high slot and made a perfect pass that Guenther stepped into for his fourth game-winning goal of the campaign.

“We got on the wrong side of the puck on the (zone) entry, everybody got their eyes on the guy in the corner with the puck and their forward came off the bench and walked down the pipe,” said Arniel. “That’s just awareness of what’s around.”

Simply put, there have been too many defensive-zone breakdowns for a team that has won the Jennings Trophy in each of the past two seasons for allowing the fewest goals in the NHL.

The team on the rise

There are some obvious parallels between this Mammoth team and the Jets when it comes to a group of homegrown players coming into their own.

The Mammoth play an up-tempo style and have taken important strides when it comes to the commitment level required over 82 games to have success in the meat grinder that is the Central Division.

Those qualities were on display in this game and while both teams were playing a third game in four days — including the Mammoth playing on consecutive days with travel from Minnesota — you get the sense these teams will have plenty on the line during the final two meetings that will take place in Salt Lake City.

“They came as advertised. We knew that they have been playing really good hockey. A good up and coming team and every year they seem to get better and better,” said DeMelo. “They have been building their brand of how they want to play over the years. It hasn’t been easy for that organization; obviously they have gone through a lot of ups and downs. That move to Utah has really strung things in their favour and you can see the boost that they have when they play there.

“Their top-end guys are playing the right way. I’m not saying that they maybe weren’t doing it before, but it’s more consistent. Their back-end is a lot better than it used to be. They have great depth up and down that lineup. It’s a fantastic team, there’s no doubt about it and they’re off to a hot start. Their top guys are feeling it and carrying the load offensively there.”

The key play

Logan Cooley found Dylan Guenther alone in the slot for a one-timer that proved to be the difference in a tight game.

The three stars

Dylan Guenther, Mammoth – Delivered the game-winning goal.

Josh Morrissey, Jets – Chipped in two more assists.

Vitek Vanecek, Mammoth – Finished with 28 saves.

The next step

Jets captain Adam Lowry (hip) shed the non-contact jersey for Saturday’s optional skate and is working towards returning to the lineup by early November.

On Sunday, Arniel provided a hint of what could be on the horizon for Lowry.

“We’ve got some ideas, we’ve just got to float it by him and management,” said Arniel. “We’re just going to talk some things out and see where we’re at. He’s really getting close but now, he needs the contact. He needs five-against-five type stuff, where he’s working in heavy traffic areas, he’s working in tight areas. But he’s certainly a heck of a lot closer.”

Although Arniel didn’t come right out and say it, it sounded like the prospect of a conditioning stint with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League was under consideration, given the busy nature of the Jets schedule.

The Moose face the Tucson Roadrunners on Tuesday and Wednesday in Arizona before returning home to face the Texas Stars next Sunday and Monday.

Extra, extra

Jets centre Mark Scheifele had the other goal for the home team, scoring with three seconds left in a second-period power play, which moved him to eight goals and 13 points in nine games.

With two assists on Sunday, Morrissey became the first defenceman in franchise history to reach 300. “It is cool, for sure,” said Morrissey. “You just have to keep on going.”

The Jets healthy scratches were defenceman Colin Miller and forwards Brad Lambert and Parker Ford.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld