Pavelec pumped — about Euro

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/12/2011 (5062 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In a perfect world, Ondrej Pavelec would be busy tending net for the Winnipeg Jets next June when the European 2012 soccer championships open.

Yes, we know — the Jets should concentrate about simply qualifying for the post-season, let alone a deep run into June — but as the Jets’ goaltender was conducting interviews Friday morning the Euro 2012 draw was playing on a TV set nearby at the MTS Iceplex.

And Pavelec, a native of Kladno, is more than a little interested in how his Czech Republic will manage in Group A, along with Poland, Greece and Russia. He and Russian teammate Alex Burmistrov are huge socccer fans.

“I think a lot of (NHL) players are going to be there,” Pavelec said. “I’m really excited to go there and see some games. We’ve got a big chance to play the quarter-final.”

Pavelec, meanwhile, could be between the pipes again tonight when the Jets play host to the New Jersey Devils. He is coming off a solid outing in which he picked up his second shutout of the season, kicking out 33 shots in a 1-0 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes.

“I think yesterday was one of the best games we played defensively,” he said. “The way we played in the third period was outstanding.”

“He’s played really well for us,” said Jets head coach Claude Noel. “I think this was a really good stepping stone for him in (Thursday), in a game where you can help us close out the game when we’re up 1-0. It gives you an opportunity to help your teammates and I thought he did a great job there.”

SICK BAY UPDATE: D Brett Festerling was to be checked out by doctors Friday as part of the NHL’s concussion protocol and, with a couple more practices under his belt, may soon be ready to return to action.

“I want to get out there no matter what, that’s part of being an athlete,” he said. “I want to get out there as fast as possible, but I dont want to jeopardize my health either.

“I feel I’m good.”

Randy Jones, another of the 12 defencemen the Jets have dressed this year, was also back at work — albeit wearing the red no-contact jersey. Still…

“It was another step in a positive way,” Jones said. “I’m kind of anxious to get out there and get back with the guys and on the ice with them and it felt good today.

“It’s still not 100 per cent, but soon enough I hope to be able to switch the jerseys. It is extremely difficult and it kind of tests the patience a little bit, but you’ve got to work extra hard to get back in the lineup and I’m getting anxious.”

The veteran defenceman has now missed 13 games since blocking a shot against the Islanders in early November.

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Noel said Friday Jones was probably a week away from being able to play, ditto for Nik Antropov. Eric Fehr did not skate with the team and is listed as day to day while Tobias Enstrom continues to work out, but likely won’t be available until the end of December.

MORE PLEASE: Here’s Noel when asked how his team managed to stop the regular procession to the penalty box Thursday — the Jets took only two minors in the win over the Coyotes:

“It must have been by accident,” he said. “I’m not sure. I think the guys are a little bit tired of it and they recognize we have a chance to win. I thought we played an intelligent, 60-minute game and the players have recognized that we can change some things. Hopefully we’re starting to get some things in place here.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter@WFPEdTait