Lethbridge Herald

Scheifele scores twice in Jets’ victory

JETS SHUT OUT WILD TO TAKE 3-1 SERIES LEAD

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Connor Hellebuyck made 30 saves for his first career playoff shutout and Mark Scheifele scored twice as the Winnipeg Jets beat the Minnesota Wild 2-0 on Tuesday night to take a 3-1 series lead in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Hellebuyck, who was named a Vezina Trophy finalist earlier in the day, bounced back from getting pulled after giving up six goals in the Game 3 loss with a steady performanc­e in net for Winnipeg. Hellebuyck had his 13th career shutout and seventh this season.

Scheifele scored with 28 seconds left in the first period and added an empty-net goal with 11 seconds left.

Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey, Andrew Copp and Blake Wheeler had assists as the Jets took command of the series heading back to Winnipeg for Game 5.

Devan Dubnyk made 26 saves for Minnesota.

The Wild held a 30-28 advantage in shots and blocked 24 shots but was 0 for 2 on the power play.

Another tense affair between the two division rivals, who are just seven hours apart in distance, was heightened by the Jets’ crowd in attendance and a couple of non-calls against Winnipeg. Morrissey crosscheck­ed Eric Staal in the head late in the first period but officials missed the altercatio­n, inciting the Wild crowd.

A few minutes later, Winnipeg’s top line of Scheifele, Connor and Blake Wheeler went to work. Connor’s shot attempt was blocked and Minnesota cleared the zone, but Morrissey corralled a loose puck in the neutral zone and passed ahead. Wheeler and Scheifele hurried across the blue line, with Scheifele careful not to touch the puck before Wheeler could get across.

Countering quickly, Scheifele had a giveand-go with Connor and snapped a onetimer past Dubnyk.

The Wild had a chance for an equalizer

early in the second on a three-on-one but Hellebuyck slid across the crease and knocked down Matt Dumba’s shot with his glove.

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