Winnipeg builds early 2-goal edge, beats Calgary 3-2

Updated Feb. 3, 2021 12:09 a.m. ET

Associated Press

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Nikolaj Ehlers' first-period goal was the eventual game-winner and the Winnipeg Jets held on for a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game set.

Trevor Lewis and Derek Forbort also scored for Winnipeg, which lost to Calgary in a shootout a night earlier.

Forbort scored, led his team in shots and made a last-minute glove save in the win. He was the first Jets defenseman to score this season.

Matthew Tkachuk scored twice for Calgary.

Both clubs played their backup goalies. Winnipeg’s Laurent Brossoit stopped 29 of 31 shots for his second win of the season. Calgary's David Rittich turned away 25 of 28 shots.

“It was one of our more impressive and effortful games on a defensive side of things,” Brossoit said.

Forbort led the Jets with five shots on net and scored Winnipeg’s second goal for the sixth of his career.

The 28-year-old spent the end of last season and the playoffs with the Flames, who had acquired him at the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Kings.

Winnipeg signed the free agent to a one-year contract in the off-season.

With Rittich pulled for an extra attacker and the Flames pressing for the equalizer, Forbort batted an airborne puck behind Brossoit’s head out of danger with 57 seconds remaining.

“I just kind of knew it wasn’t gonna be in a good spot no matter what,” Forbort said. “It happens pretty quick and you just kind of swat it to get it out of there.

“Felt like I was playing volleyball back in California.”

The teams meet again Thursday, their third game in four days.

The Jets led by two goals after the first period for the second night in a row,. This time, they defended the lead, one night after squandering the edge.

NOTES: Gaudreau extended his point streak to nine games to open the season and is one assist away from 300 for his career. ... Blake Wheeler moved into second all-time in franchise games played at 720, passing Toby Enstrom. Bryan Little (843) holds the record. ... The Flames are home to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday and face the Jets again Feb. 9 at home.

___

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

in this topic