Edmonton Oilers miss crucial victory over Winnipeg Jets in tense shootout

Edmonton Oilers Fall Short in Pre-Season Opener Against Winnipeg Jets

Coach Woodcroft Optimistic Despite Shootout Loss

The Edmonton Oilers kicked off their pre-season with a 2-1 shootout loss against the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Place on Sunday night. While the defeat may not be ideal, Oilers Head Coach Jay Woodcroft expressed optimism and highlighted several positive aspects of the game.

Woodcroft remarked, “There were a lot of really good signs. Things that we worked on showed up in the game and I thought the pace was good for the first exhibition game of the year.” He commended his team for executing what they had practiced and setting a solid foundation for the upcoming season.

A Breakaway Goal and Power Play Equalizer

The Jets drew first blood in the first period, with Dominic Toninato scoring on a breakaway against Oilers goaltender Olivier Rodrigue. However, the Oilers managed to level the playing field on a power play, with Zach Hyman tapping in the puck behind Jets’ goalie Collin Delia.

Delia put on an impressive performance throughout the game, making critical saves, including a sprawling pad stop on Lane Pederson in the second period. The Oilers’ forward Brandon Sutter, who had not played a game in over two years, shared his nervousness before the game but was pleased with the team’s overall performance.

Sutter stated, “I’m glad with how it went. I think for a lot of guys, there’s some new system things we’re trying and finding new ways to do things.” The excitement of trying out new strategies was evident on the ice, as the Oilers displayed a refreshed approach to their gameplay.

A New Stage for Rookies

The pre-season game provided an opportunity for rookie defenseman Beau Akey to showcase his skills. Akey, who made his NHL debut on Sunday night, expressed how the transition from junior hockey to facing NHL players was challenging yet exciting.

Akey reflected on his first NHL pre-season game, stating, “It’s definitely a different mindset going from junior and then going against real NHL players. It’s definitely a change of pace.” Coach Woodcroft acknowledged Akey’s poise, competitiveness, and ability to make smart plays despite the pressure.

Woodcroft praised the rookie defenseman, saying, “You can see why he was drafted where he was. He has poise, he’s competitive, and he made a lot of really good plays with the puck and was unafraid of the stage.” Akey’s performance bodes well for his future with the Oilers.

A Close Game that Ended in Shootout

The game remained tightly contested throughout, with both teams showcasing strong goaltending. Hyman nearly secured a win for the Oilers in the final minute of the third period, but his shot hit the crossbar.

The game ultimately went to a shootout, with Cole Perfetti scoring the only goal. Delia stood tall, making crucial saves on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Evander Kane, while Lane Pederson missed the net with his shot. Delia’s stellar performance in the shootout secured the victory for the Jets.

Looking Ahead

The Oilers will have an opportunity for redemption as they face the Jets once again on Monday in Winnipeg. Despite the loss in the preseason opener, the Oilers demonstrated promising signs, with Coach Woodcroft’s confidence in the team intact.

As the regular season approaches, the Oilers will continue fine-tuning their strategies and integrating new players into their system. The pre-season offers an invaluable opportunity for players to gel together and for the coaching staff to experiment with different line combinations.

Overall, the Oilers’ performance in their first pre-season game serves as a reminder of the excitement and anticipation surrounding the upcoming NHL season. Fans can look forward to a competitive campaign with the Oilers aiming to build on their recent successes and make a deep playoff run.