The training staff better have a boatload of ice packs because they’ll need them after the Winnipeg Jets treated the Minnesota Wild like Ivan Drago did Apollo Creed in Rocky IV.
Game 2 was ugly. It was a beatdown. The Wild got thumped and dumped 4-1 and now trail the best-of-seven playoff series 2-0.
Please party responsibly at the street party today, we will be checking bags for unacceptable items such as alcohol, drugs, weapons and Minnesota wild merchandise. #GoJetsGo #WpgWhiteout
— Winnipeg Police (@wpgpolice) April 13, 2018
Minnesota had few quality scoring chances – and it’s tough to recall any after the first period.
Winnipeg, just like they did in Game 1, pounded Minnesota from start to finish. And just like in Game 1, they turned a scoreless game into a 1-0 lead on a second-period goal by Tyler Myers, who danced around Jason Zucker like Zucker was tied to a post.
Tyler Myers bringin' the 🔥🔥🔥
Stream the #StanleyCup playoffs here: https://t.co/cRicSdbTJY pic.twitter.com/GAjHDXPD9U
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) April 14, 2018
It was all downhill from there for the Wild.
The crowd of 16,000+ at Bell MTC Center in Winnipeg got loud, and the jets got physically, connecting and big hit after big hit – Dustin Byfuglien doing the damage – to slowly wear down the Wild.
In the third period, the onslaught continued with a pair of goals from Paul Statsny and Andrew Copp just 102 seconds apart to put the game on ice.
Related:
Patrik Laine’s second goal of the series with 2:02 left in the game gave Winnipeg a 4-0 lead.
Zach Parise’s power-play goal with under a minute to play kept Minnesota from being shutout.
Stat of the game: Winnipeg out-shot Minnesota 43-17, and have 83 shots on goal through two games compared to Minnesota’s 37.
Game 3, which is back in Minnesota on Sunday at 6 p.m., will be televised by Fox Sports North and USA.
