JETS WIN JETS WIN!!
Oslo - The Winnipeg Jets are the champs! The Jets captured their first title in Franchise history with a hard fought 5-3 victory
Jets Captain Shane Doan scored what turned out to be the Cup winning goal at 3:53 of the third period. The power play marker came just 1:21 after Vikings sniper Alex Ovechkin brought his team within one goal, but that was as close at they got. The Jets were outshot 33-21 in the contest but surprise game 5 starter Erik Ersberg was solid in the victory making 30 saves. Ovechkin was the recipient of the Jarri Kurri trophy "of the two best players coming into the final series, he definitely outplayed Lundqvist, breaking the old record of 18 playoff goals in the process" getting his 19th and 20th goals of the playoffs in game 5.
Ersberg's run is quite a story. He started the season in the Vikings organization but was traded to the Jets a couple of weeks prior to the trade deadline. The Vikings received a 2nd and 3rd rounder in the 2010 draft for Ersberg and the feeling around the league was that the Jets had paid too much for the unproven Swedish goalie. All that Ersberg did was kick start the Jets to a 17 game winning streak during the regular season and ironically enough was the goalie of record in 3 wins in the finals against the very team that traded him. "Early in March Henrik (Lundqvist) was struggling and I felt we needed someone that that could play a few games for us. Our pro scouts were keeping a close eye on Erik and we just saw a fire in him that we felt would be a perfect fit to push Henrik. I would say it turned out just fine." said GM Bourassa
Not to be outdone in the great story department is SICHL All-time leading scorer Joe Sakic finally hoisting the Continental Cup. After receiving the Continental Cup from Commissioner MacRae Captain Shane Doan immediately found Sakic. Unfortunately Sakic wasn't in the lineup for game 5 as he has been sharing playing time with defensive specialist David Steckel Sakic did dress for the celebration and didn't seem to mind not playing in the deciding game. "You know this is why I signed with Winnipeg. I felt it was a good fit for me and that I had a good chance at winning it all with them. I may not be the same player I once was but you don't have to score goals to contribute. I am just so happy right now and I just want to thank Michel for giving me this opportunity." It is believed that Sakic wants to go out on top and that he may have played his last game. Sakic should be a first ballot entry into the SICHL Hall of Fame.
The Jets received a total team effort in the playoffs and it is believed by many that their depth and team defense were the major reasons for their success in the playoffs. The core of this team will be together for the next 4-5 years so it will be interesting to see if they can repeat their success of 2010 in the coming years.
The championship parade is scheduled for Tuesday morning in downtown Winnipeg.
Jets Captain Shane Doan scored what turned out to be the Cup winning goal at 3:53 of the third period. The power play marker came just 1:21 after Vikings sniper Alex Ovechkin brought his team within one goal, but that was as close at they got. The Jets were outshot 33-21 in the contest but surprise game 5 starter Erik Ersberg was solid in the victory making 30 saves. Ovechkin was the recipient of the Jarri Kurri trophy "of the two best players coming into the final series, he definitely outplayed Lundqvist, breaking the old record of 18 playoff goals in the process" getting his 19th and 20th goals of the playoffs in game 5.
Ersberg's run is quite a story. He started the season in the Vikings organization but was traded to the Jets a couple of weeks prior to the trade deadline. The Vikings received a 2nd and 3rd rounder in the 2010 draft for Ersberg and the feeling around the league was that the Jets had paid too much for the unproven Swedish goalie. All that Ersberg did was kick start the Jets to a 17 game winning streak during the regular season and ironically enough was the goalie of record in 3 wins in the finals against the very team that traded him. "Early in March Henrik (Lundqvist) was struggling and I felt we needed someone that that could play a few games for us. Our pro scouts were keeping a close eye on Erik and we just saw a fire in him that we felt would be a perfect fit to push Henrik. I would say it turned out just fine." said GM Bourassa
Not to be outdone in the great story department is SICHL All-time leading scorer Joe Sakic finally hoisting the Continental Cup. After receiving the Continental Cup from Commissioner MacRae Captain Shane Doan immediately found Sakic. Unfortunately Sakic wasn't in the lineup for game 5 as he has been sharing playing time with defensive specialist David Steckel Sakic did dress for the celebration and didn't seem to mind not playing in the deciding game. "You know this is why I signed with Winnipeg. I felt it was a good fit for me and that I had a good chance at winning it all with them. I may not be the same player I once was but you don't have to score goals to contribute. I am just so happy right now and I just want to thank Michel for giving me this opportunity." It is believed that Sakic wants to go out on top and that he may have played his last game. Sakic should be a first ballot entry into the SICHL Hall of Fame.
The Jets received a total team effort in the playoffs and it is believed by many that their depth and team defense were the major reasons for their success in the playoffs. The core of this team will be together for the next 4-5 years so it will be interesting to see if they can repeat their success of 2010 in the coming years.
The championship parade is scheduled for Tuesday morning in downtown Winnipeg.
Winnipeg Jets