Pionk scores overtime winner in Jets' 3-2 win over Avalanche – The Hockey Writers – Winnipeg Jets

In a battle of divisional rivals that lived up to its name, the Winnipeg Jets (32-14-3) defeated the Colorado Avalanche (28-19-2) 3-2 in overtime on Wednesday night. Josh Morrissey scored two points, Neal Pionk had the game-winner and Conner Hellebuyck made 25 in the victory saves.

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Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar scored for the Avalanche, and Mackenzie Blackwood made 22 saves in the loss.

game review

There were quality opportunities on both ends of the court in the first quarter, but neither team was able to capitalize, although the Avalanche outshot the Jets 9-8. The Jets went 0-for-1 on the power play, while the Avalanche went 0-for-2.

MacKinnon broke the tie at 6:09 of the second period when his first shot hit the post, grabbed his own rebound and past Hellebeke for his own goal. The 19th goal of the season. Morgan Barron leveled the score at 1-1 five minutes later when he tipped in Blackwood from David Gustafsson's corner kick.

Gabriel Vilardi gave the Jets the lead at 18:44 of the second quarter. Morrissey's spot-on shot, which looked like it deflected off Vilardi, was his 20th goal of the season and gave the Jets a 2-1 lead.

Cale Makar tied the game at 2-2 with a nice breakaway break from Dirk, his backhand, forehand and then top score, his 16th of the season.

It was all over by the end of the third quarter. The Jets killed off the Avalanche's power play in the final minutes, and Hellebuyck stepped up to send the game into overtime.

It took just 17 seconds of overtime before Pionk knocked the puck off the crossbar from the right wing and the Jets won 3-2.

With the win, the Jets snap a two-game losing streak, while the Avalanche have lost three of their last four games.

Next

The Avalanche will be off until Saturday when they travel to Boston to face the Bruins. The Jets host Utah Hockey Club on Friday.