With an expiring contract, Ondrej Pavelec’s time with the Winnipeg Jets is nearing an end. Plenty of Jets fans would say, mercifully.
Still, he did return to the Winnipeg Jets net on Wednesday for his first NHL appearance since April 9, 2016, to mostly successful results. The Jets beat the Arizona Coyotes 6-3, for one thing.
Beyond that, it probably felt like a typical Pavelec start for many Jets fans, though some would contest that it would also need to involve a loss.
There were those regrettable moments, like giving up a goal right away:
Even his critics would probably agree that Pavelec does have a knack for making breathtaking saves:
It’s unclear how many more times we’ll see Pavelec play for the Jets (or an NHL team in general). His performance - if given more chances - in the near future may determine that answer.
If nothing else, his 2016-17 debut felt pretty fitting.