Things got feisty between the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
Avalanche defenseman Nikita Zadorov crushed Jets forward Mark Scheifele with an open-ice hit in the third period, causing a disturbance at center ice as Winnipeg players naturally took exception.
Zadorov was given a minor penalty for charging. He was also grabbed by Jacob Trouba, who was given penalties for instigating, fighting and a misconduct. Scheifele remained in the game.
There was worse news for the Jets, however.
Their three-game winning streak came to an end with a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Avalanche, the worst team in the entire NHL.
Not only that, but Colorado had lost nine in a row. This should’ve been a perfect opportunity for Winnipeg to get within a point of Calgary for the final wild card spot in the West, and move within two points of Nashville -- at least for now -- in the Central Division.
Ondrej Pavelec allowed four goals on 27 shots. He’s played seven times since his recall from the AHL, but he’s allowed at least three goals or more in each of those games. He so far has an .895 save percentage this season at the NHL level.
“Obviously you want to win. Obviously you want to get two points and it didn’t happen, so I can’t be happy,” said Pavelec to reporters.