The Jets did exactly what was expected of them on Sunday night, playing with a primarily NHL group of players, they took care of a mostly AHL level Oilers club by a 5-3 score.

What wasn’t expected was the chance Kristian Vesalainen got to play with the top unit thanks to a early morning injury to Kyle Connor which Vesalainen was able to take advantage of with some good play. Skyler McKenzie’s two goals came as a bit of a surprise as well as he made a claim to get one more look at filling one of the bottom six forward roles.

The Jets take an early lead thanks to a powerplay unit that looked in mid-season form with Wheeler passing to Scheifele. The Oilers tied things up shortly after as Kailer Yamamoto tipped a Matthew Benning shot from the blueline past Connor Hellebuyck. The Oilers took the lead with an Ethan Bear blast and the period ends with them holding on to the 2-1 lead. In what was a bit of a carryover from the game on Friday night against the Flames, the Jets were badly out-shot in the period by a 11-4 clip.

The Jets were again badly out-shot in the second period – even worse than they were in the first period 18-5 – but it was the Jets that scored twice in the period as they took advantage of the few chances they did have.  Skyler McKenzie tipped home a Joe Morrow blast from the blueline while Scheifele and Wheeler combined to force a turnover in the neutral zone and then rush in for a short handed goal. Hellebuyck was solid stopping all 18 shots he faced in the second frame.

Edmonton didn’t do themselves any favors by getting into penalty trouble early in the third and giving the Jets an extended 5 on 3 power play that they promptly scored on. A nice breakout pass from Dennis Everberg led to a rush by C.J. Suess and Skyler McKenzie that was finished off on a nice two on one goal for McKenzie’s second of the night. Shots ended up even in the period at 12 each as Hellebuyck and the Jets did nice work to deny any Oilers thoughts of a comeback. Yamamoto did score again late off a nice pass from Darnell Nurse, but it was too little too late.

For Winnipeg: Skyler McKenzie – Made a statement tonight with a pair of goals and looked good without the puck in the ten minutes of ice he had tonight.

For Edmonton: Kailer Yamamoto – Speaking of kids who have made statements, Yamamoto is once again impressing for the Oilers with a pair of goals tonight.

The tough pre-season schedule for the Jets continues tomorrow as some of the club – likely mostly Moose and fringe players – will fly out to Calgary for a game against the Flames on Monday night. Puck drop is at 7 PM CST.