The Daily Courier

Canucks downed by Jets, 2-1

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WINNIPEG (CP) — Adam Lowry can say the first game-winning goal of his career staved off playoff eliminatio­n for one more game.

Michael Hutchinson made 28 saves and Lowry scored on a third-period power play to lift the Winnipeg Jets to a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night.

Lowry scored the eventual winner with 8:13 remaining to keep the Jets still mathematic­ally in playoff contention. It kept the Jets’ tragic number standing at one, with a loss or a St. Louis win the rest of the way closing the door on the post-season.

For now, however, Lowry can enjoy the heroics.

“It’s always nice to score goals at crucial times. At this time of the year, it’s still fun to win,” Lowry said. “We’re still trying to put our best foot forward in the game.”

Mathieu Perreault also scored for Winnipeg (34-35-7), which was without defenceman Dustin Byfuglien (lowerbody injury) and rookie sensation Patrik Laine, who was a late scratch with an illness.

Perreault extended his point streak to six games, a span in which he has four goals and 11 points.

Lowry’s goal came moments after Hutchinson stopped Sven Baertschi on a shorthande­d 2-on-1 breakaway. Blake Wheeler led the offensive transition the other way and Perreault wound up with the puck, making a nifty move down low and feeding Lowry, who fired a wrister over Ryan Miller.

Alexander Edler had the only goal for Vancouver (30-36-9), while Miller made 30 saves, a number of them coming in a flurry of shots in the first period when he was able to keep the Jets off the board and the Canucks in the game.

“He’s done it all year for us and it doesn’t feel good when he doesn’t get something back for it,” Canucks captain Henrik Sedin said of Miller’s efforts. “He keeps us in every game.”

The Canucks now have a three-game homestand against Pacific Division foes, starting Tuesday versus Anaheim.

 ?? The Canadian Press ?? Vancouver Canucks centre Brandon Sutter screens Winnipeg Jets goalie Michael Hutchinson as Bryan Little (18) defends during first-period NHL action in Winnipeg on Sunday.
The Canadian Press Vancouver Canucks centre Brandon Sutter screens Winnipeg Jets goalie Michael Hutchinson as Bryan Little (18) defends during first-period NHL action in Winnipeg on Sunday.

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