National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Winnipeg 6, Colorado 2
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, December 5, 2014
Where: MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Referees: Brian Pochmara, Mike Leggo
Linesmen: Michel Cormier, Brad Lazarowich
Attendance: 15016

Jets 6, Avalanche 2: Bryan Little registered his second career hat trick and added an assist as host Winnipeg extended its point streak to five games (4-0-1).

Captain Andrew Ladd scored a goal and set up two others, Dustin Byfuglien ran his goal-scoring streak to three games and Chris Thorburn also tallied for the Jets, who have won the first two contests of their three-game homestand. Blake Wheeler collected three assists and Michael Hutchinson made 20 saves in improving to 5-0-2 since losing his season debut.

Jarome Iginla netted both goals for the Avalanche, who were outshot 26-9 over the first two periods. Captain Gabriel Landeskog notched two assists and Semyon Varlamov allowed five goals on 30 shots before being replaced by Reto Berra, who made six saves.

Winnipeg jumped in front 4 1/2 minutes into the contest as Thorburn buried the rebound of defenseman Paul Postma's point shot from the bottom of the left faceoff circle. Iginla forged a tie at 9:19 of the first period, beating Hutchinson high to the glove side from above the right circle, but video review confirmed Varlamov's glove was over the goal line when he snagged Little's bad-angle shot from the bottom of the right circle 3:10 later to give the Jets a 2-1 edge.

Ladd increased the lead with 45 seconds remaining in the middle session by deflecting blue-liner Ben Chiarot's rising shot from the left point past Varlamov and Little converted a pass from Wheeler 45 seconds into the third period to make it 4-1. The 27-year-old completed his four-point performance 32 seconds later, burying a loose puck on the doorstep to chase Varlamov from the crease.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Iginla's first goal was the 565th of his career, moving him past Hall-of-Famers Mats Sundin and Joe Nieuwendyk for sole possession of 21st place on the all-time list. ... Little registered his first NHL hat trick against Carolina on Dec. 26, 2008, when the Jets franchise was known as the Atlanta Thrashers. ... Playing in his third NHL game, Chiarot recorded his first career point with his assist on Ladd's goal. ... Thorburn's tally was his first point in 26 games this season.
Top Game Performances
 
Colorado   Winnipeg
Jarome Iginla 2 Points Bryan Little 4
Jarome Iginla 2 Goals Bryan Little 3
Gabriel Landeskog 2 Assists Blake Wheeler 3
Jarome Iginla 1 Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Reto Berra .857 Save Percentage Michael Hutchinson .909
Semyon Varlamov 25 Saves Michael Hutchinson 20
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Colorado 22 2 1-4 3-3 35 25
Winnipeg 37 6 0-3 3-4 37 29
Upcoming Games
  • Winnipeg will play their next game at home against Anaheim. The Jets have a W/L % of .429 after a win and .615 after a loss.
  • Colorado will play their next game at home against Nashville. The Avalanche have a W/L % of .200 after a win and .412 after a loss.