Maurice leads Jets to new franchise record — next up, playoffs
In a game where the second period kiss-cam offered more action than the better part of three periods of play, the dynamic last few minutes proved a fitting end to a Jets season that's had its fair share of highs and lows.
The Jets 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames Saturday afternoon not only capped off the season on a high note but also offered a dash of validation for a team who's battled through adversity from day one: from a 1-4 start, to an almost unheard of amount of injuries that even the NHL's most elite teams would struggle to rise from, to an overhaul in on-ice personnel.
Given all that, it would be impossible to see this achievement as a solo mission. Work came from all areas of the organization — from the players, to the management, to the doctors and trainers who undoubtedly worked overtime this season.
The win was just the icing on the cake for the Jets, who finish the season with a record of 43-26-13, setting a franchise record with 99 points on the year and two better than the 2006-07 season in Atlanta, the only other time the franchise has made the postseason.
Maurice, who arrived midway through last season, was thrown in to an organization that was all but lost, riddled with many questions and few answers. It was a situation that included unrest within the locker room and a culture that had celebrated few successes.
As daunting a task as it looked from the outside, somehow Maurice was able to make it work.
"I think the best thing that you can hope for is that you feel that you fit," said Maurice after the game. "Not just in the room, but with management and coaches. It's just been a great fit."
"Personally, I've enjoyed all parts of it," he added.
What the Jets did have before the arrival of Maurice was a foundation of players that yearned for change, and the talent to do so.
It was Maurice's job to bring that out, to cast aside the doubt and turn his team in to believers. He's been able to do just that, and along the way has also inspired a fan base to do the same.
But as well as Maurice has coached this season, there's still one thing he's become better at — or at least more accustomed to — and that's passing off the success to others.
"We'll include this with the whole staff. We did our job but far more importantly is the players took the things that they were responsible for, and handled it," he said, once again stating it all began with the team's dedication to fitness over the summer.
"Everybody has to buy in to that. Most importantly, they took care of the things that hockey players and a hockey team are supposed to take care of."
The reward — or what Maurice refers to as the "pay off" — is a playoff berth for the first time in four seasons in Winnipeg. That token isn't just for the players but for the thousands of fans in attendance at MTS Centre and the many more at home and around the country who have had to ride the same roller-coaster since the move for the start of the 2011-12 season.
Those who were at the rink Saturday showed off their chops, giving the Jets a sneak preview of what's to come once the chase for the Stanley Cup begins. You saw it with a standing ovation as the Jets took the ice, and were reminded for the umpteenth time as those same fans stood strong as the final seconds ticked off.
"I think that's just a teaser," said centre Mark Scheifele, who finished with an assist and a point shy of 50 on the year. "I think they're going to be crazy. They've been with us all year and they've been unbelievable and playoffs will just hit that next level for sure."
The next challenge for Maurice is to make sure his players do the same.
Copp makes most of NHL debut
With the Jets resting eight regulars for the game, 20-year-old prospect Andrew Copp got his chance to show his stuff since signing a three-year entry-level deal back on Mar. 26. Copp fulfilled a lifetime dream, playing in his first NHL game and even collected an assist on Lee Stempniak's third-period goal.
"It was pretty fun," said Copp, showing every one of his teeth through a giant smile. "I was really nervous and excited to start, obviously, and after the first period or so I started to feel comfortable, feel like a real game.
It's still unsure as to whether Copp will see any playoff action but Maurice did like what he saw from the centreman.
"Really, really enjoyed watching him play," said Maurice. "He was on the right side of the puck all night."
Giving out hardware
Prior to the game the Jets had their end of the year awards ceremony. Three players were honoured for various contributions this season.
Mathieu Perreault earned the 3 Stars Award, the hardware given to the player who received the most "stars" of the game. It's a pretty impressive feat considering injuries limited him to 62 games this season, 20 off a full year.
Mark Stuart took home the Northwest Company Community Service Award for his service to various groups in Winnipeg. Stuart was recognized for his work with the True North Foundation, the official charity of the Jets, as well as with the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy. It's the second straight year Stuart has won the award.
Chris Thorburn was awarded the Dan Synder award. The award recognizes a player who "embodies perseverance, dedication and hard work without reward or recognition, so that his team and teammates might succeed."
Synder was a former player with the franchise, playing parts of three seasons with the Atlanta Thrashers before his career was cut short after he died in a car accident with fellow teammate Dany Heatley (who survived) in 2003. He was only 25.
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