Comrie, Roslovic make Jets debut in 5-4 win over Blue Jackets

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This article was published 06/04/2017 (3087 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Eric Comrie wanted to be tested early and often Thursday night by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and he got his wish.

Comrie, making his first-ever NHL start in goal for the Winnipeg Jets, came through the trial by fire with no visible burns, turning aside 14 of 15 Columbus shots in the first period at Nationwide Arena. The Jets even had a one-goal lead through 20 minutes against the playoff-bound Blue Jackets, who’ve had all kinds of problems scoring goals lately.

He remained the busiest man in the building the rest of the way, finishing with 35 saves – several of the jaw-dropping variety – backstopping the visitors to their sixth-straight triumph, a 5-4 win over the troubled Blue Jackets on a night when Columbus-born centre Jack Roslovic also made his NHL debut for the Jets.

It’s the club’s longest winning streak since the franchise relocated from Atlanta in 2011. Full marks to Comrie, called up by the Manitoba Moose of the AHL on Wednesday, for making it happen.

“That was really exciting. I was happy to get in there, and the team did a really good job of keeping everything to the outside and it helped a lot,” said the 21-year-old Edmonton native. “I went out there and played my game and had fun.”

The Jets (39-35-7) registered back-to-back victories on the road – they defeated St. Louis 5-2 Tuesday – and now head home for Saturday night’s season-ending date with the Nashville Predators.

The Blue Jackets (49-23-8), who haven’t won in five games, got four pucks past Comrie, including a pair by Brandon Saad in the second period. But even the harshest critic would have a tough time characterizing any of the goals as soft.

Comrie made seven saves in the first seven minutes, using just about every part of his body in the process.

“I definitely got some touches early,” he said. “Honestly, I was ready to go once my routine started. I was a little bit nervous before the game started but as soon as I stepped in, my routine started happening, everything just kind of clicked and it was just another game for me.”

Winnipeg defenceman Jacob Trouba scored a pair of power-play goals and centre Bryan Little had a goal and three assists to spark the Jets. Mark Scheifele, with his 32nd, and Mathieu Perreault, with his 13th, also contributed.

Saad scored his 23rd and 24th goals of the year for Columbus, while Brandon Dubinsky and Boone Jenner both notched their 17th goals of the campaign.

Columbus was missing flashy rookie defenceman Zach Werenski, who is listed as day to day with a shoulder injury.

Little, who has eight points in his last three contests, said the young goalie was the difference.

“We hung our goalie out to dry and he made some big saves for us,” he said. “The timing of the saves, when the game was close and we needed the big save, he came up with it and shut the door. He looked pretty impressive for his first NHL game out there.”

Comrie won’t get a rush job into the league next season and the Jets are still in the market for an experienced puck-stopper, but he’s easily one of the organization’s most intriguing prospects.

He faced 1,443 shots this season playing with the Moose, the second-most in the AHL. And he handled 35 more, unleashed by NHL shooters, with some serious skill and technique, said head coach Paul Maurice.

“The little things, the rebound control, the number of quick shots that came to him that he got off into the corner (and) we didn’t have to fight for them,” Maurice said. “A smaller goalie has to be positionally sound to play in this league and there were three or four that he got with just his shoulder or his blocker that was all just technique.”

Roslovic, meanwhile, who had about 60 friends and family at the game, received a loud ovation when he stepped onto the ice while the Jets were changing on the fly early in the first period. The shift lasted just three seconds, but he got 13 more before the memorable evening was over.

He played on the fourth line with Brandon Tanev and Chris Thorburn but didn’t get his name on the scoresheet.

“It was really fun,” said Roslovic, 20. “Growing up here and getting to play your first NHL game, it’s something every kid dreams of. To do it tonight was awesome. My heart was beating a little bit (on the first shift) and I was pretty nervous, but on the second shift I settled down.”

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell