Winnipeg Jets fans remain defiant after heartbreaker in Anaheim
Coach Paul Maurice, players and fans react to last-second loss to Ducks in Anaheim
Winnipeg Jets fans who made the trip out to Anaheim won't be taking a win back with them as a souvenir.
The Ducks scored with 19 seconds left in Game 2, bringing the final score to 2-1 Anaheim. The Ducks now lead the series 2-0.
More than 1,000 Jets fans made the trip out for the two playoff games in Orange County, including Mackenzie Kolt from Morden, Man., who blamed the loss on some bad Jets' luck, which included a Ducks' power play goal in the third period.
"[The Ducks] just got these lucky breaks and it just happened for them," said Kolt. "It's just too bad, but luck can only go so far."
Winnipegger Allan McMillian said he was stunned after the Ducks' game-winning goal.
"It's the toughest loss we've had all year, but we're back and we're here to stay," he said.
"If they could have just held on for 19 more seconds, they would have gotten some rest for overtime! But we just love the Jets," said Matiowsky.
Mike Kryshewsky said he thought the Jets waffled in the third period, allowing the Ducks to take control of most of the plays.
"The Ducks are a good team and if you do not play them 60 minutes hard, you're going to come out on the short end."
But Kryshewsky predicts the outcome will be different when the Jets face off against the Ducks on home ice at the MTS Centre.
"The fans will be the seventh player. We'll be there, we'll make this happen. We'll win at home!"
Maurice looks ahead to Game 3
After the game Jets coach Paul Maurice said he thought the team came out the gate strong and played OK into the second period, but a few penalties interrupted that momentum.
"The start of the third, gave up a penalty, a goal, and weren't quite as strong with the puck in a couple areas that led to some problems for us," said Maurice. Despite the outcome of the game, Maurice praised goalie Ondrej Pavelec's play in net.
"He's a big part of our team," said Maurice. "We saw a lot of shots early in the third and he got most of them. He played really well."
This is the second playoff game in a row where the Jets have given up a lead in the third period only to have the Ducks come away with the win.
While the Jets have an uphill climb ahead of them, Maurice said playing back on home ice will help the Jets stay energized.
"We get on a plane, fly home and deal with the game the next morning and get back at it," said Maurice. "By the time that puck drops in Winnipeg we'll have put this behind us, minus the things that we can do better — we'll deal with those and use the energy back in our own building to get us going."
The Jets face off against the Ducks for Game 3 in Winnipeg Monday at 8 p.m. CT.