Pavelec Returns To Help Jets Snap Skid

WINNIPEG  – Desperate times called for desperate measures and the Winnipeg Jets were in desperation mode as they were stuck in a hole and needed some help to stay in the playoff race .

A four-game losing skid prompted a recall of former number one goalie Ondrej Pavelec from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL . Pavelec who was sent down before the start of the season as the Jets were looking at going with unproven young netminders finally had seen enough and decided to give the SOS call across the hallway to the Moose.

Pavelec got the start tonight against the Arizona Coyotes and looked a bit shaky early giving up a goal through the wickets to Josh Jooris who netted his second of the season just three minutes into the game.

Winnipeg tied things up after Bryan Little got his stick on a Josh Morrissey blast for his 8th before the Coyotes got a two man advantageon the power play and Oliver Ekman Larsson ripped one past Pavelec for his eighth to make it 2-1.

Coach Paul Maurice must have said something between periods as the Jets came out and dominated the rest of the game potting five straight goals starting with the captain Blake Wheeler getting his 14th , Andrew Copp with his fifth , Joel Armia made it 4-2 with his third of the season .

“I just like how the team responded,” Pavelec said. “I think as a goalie, you get called up from the AHL, you can’t ask more from the team in front of him. I think the guys battled so hard. I think they realized the goalie would be struggling in the first period. It’s a nice comeback and was nice to get the win in the first game, that’s for sure.”

WATCH: All Coyotes vs. Jets highlights

Jacob Trouba scored his third and Nik Ehlers got his 15th making it 6-2 before Jakob Chychrun scored his second for the Coyotes making the final 6-3 for Winnipeg.

Pavelec settled down after a rough opening twenty and finished with 30 saves on 33 shots to get his first win of the year.

Mike Smith gave up six goals on 29 shots before being pulled with twelve minutes left in the game for Arizona.

“We responded well,” Winnipeg’s Blake Wheeler said. “The first period didn’t go the way we wanted it to. We just stuck with it and kept battling.”

Former Jet Alexander Burmistrov was playing in his second game for Arizona after being on the sidelines for over two weeks with visa issues since being claimed off waivers . He picked up his 2nd assist in as many games with his new team.

The Jets will look to keep things going as they welcome the St. Louis Blues to town on Saturday.

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