MONTREAL - The Winnipeg Jets prospects look to build off last night's win over the Montreal Canadiens when they face the Ottawa Senators this evening at the Bell Centre (6 pm CT on winnipegjets.com).
The Jets beat Montreal 4-3 thanks to a late goal from Danny Zhilkin in their first game of the 2025 Prospect Showdown. Ottawa also won on Saturday beating Toronto 4-3. Chase Yoder had a great night as well, scoring an important goal for the Jets in the second period and added an assist on Zhilkin’s game winner with 25 seconds left.
“Obviously it was an unreal atmosphere. Definitely a tough atmosphere to go into your first game of the year,” said Yoder.
“A lot of fun and probably one of the coolest games of my career.”
Head coach Mark Morrison was impressed with his group last night and after watching video of the game, he remains proud of his players efforts.
“They came into a rink with 21 thousand people in it. Their first game that they’ve played, for some of them in four months. They got down 2-0 but they didn’t quit,” said Morrison.
“The impressive part for me is their battle level and their compete level to get back into the game.”
One negative coming from the win on Saturday is Kieron Walton had to leave the game early after taking a huge hit in the first period. Walton will miss tonight’s contest against the Senators and that means his twin brother Conor will come into the lineup. Conor Walton is a defenceman that played the last two seasons with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League.
“We will go 11 and 7 and see how that goes,” said Morrison.
“We also have some defencemen back there that might be able to take a shift up front.”
Oakbank product Owen Martin stepped up for Winnipeg in the absence of Kieron Walton, taking his spot on the second power play. Martin provided an important screen on Zhilkin’s power play marker in the second period.
“It was awesome. You know I played net front on the power play back in Spokane,” said Martin.
I’m used to it, that was just awesome to get that experience here though.”
The big challenge for the Jets tonight will be finding the energy and compete levels that they used last night and finding a way to get it together again against the Senators who have had a few more hours rest.
“We had breakfast this morning at 9 (ET) and there wasn’t a player in there until 10. So, they needed the rest, they need the sleep so they can bounce back here,” said Morrison.
“You’ll see some of them will have some tired legs.”
Dominic DiVincentiis was a busy man Saturday night making 38 saves, he will get some rest as Alex Worthington will start in goal. Worthington went 22-18-2 with a 2.99 goals against average for the Edmonton Oil Kings last season. The Moose signed him to a two-year contract back in July.
“We wanted to give everybody a shot here, that’s what it’s all about,” said Morrison.
“It’s about seeing everyone and giving everyone a chance to get their feet wet.”
