The Winnipeg Jets six-game homstand came to an end Friday night with a 5-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Winnipeg trailed 4-0 by the midway point of the first period.

Philip Di Giuseppe, Andrej Nestrasil, Jordan Staal and Justin Faulk scored in the opening frame for the Hurricanes.

Nestrasil potted his second of the game with 1:20 remaining after the Jets cut the deficit to 4-3.

Winnipeg starting goaltender Connor Hellebuyck's was given the hook after allowing three goals on six shots.

Carolina netminder Cam Ward stopped 33 shots including 17 in the third period.

“Once they (Winnipeg) got that power play goal in the third period it obviously gave them life," said Ward. "Playing in this building, it’s a tough building to play in. As soon as they got some energy you could tell that they were getting their legs, and getting some momentum. It turns into a just hang on mode unfortunately. It felt real comfortable for myself, first game in a little while. Getting off to a 4-0 lead in the first period definitely helped relive me. I was a little bit anxious before (that).”

Alexander Burmistrov, Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien did the goal scoring for Winnipeg.

The Jets (22-26-3) had one win on their six-game homestand and will face the Colorado Avalanche in Denver on Saturday night.


photos by Ray Peters