In a hockey game destined to be remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in franchise history, the Winnipeg Jets pulled off a miraculous rally on Sunday night, defeating the St. Louis Blues 4-3 in double overtime to win Game 7 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series.
Captain Adam Lowry was the hero, scoring the game-winning goal at 16:10 of the second overtime to complete a dramatic comeback that had Winnipeg fans on the edge of their seats — and eventually on their feet in euphoria. The Jets trailed 3-1 with just over three minutes remaining in regulation before mounting a furious late push to tie the game and force overtime.
A Nightmare Start
The night began ominously for the home team, as the Blues scored just 70 seconds into the game on their first shot. A miscommunication in Winnipeg’s zone left Jordan Kyrou and Colton Parayko in a 2-on-1 situation, leading to a redirect off Kyrou’s skate and past a helpless Connor Hellebuyck.
The Jets’ troubles deepened when top defenceman Josh Morrissey took a hard hit from Oskar Sundqvist and appeared to injure himself. Though he attempted another shift, he left the ice shortly after and did not return. Just minutes later, another Winnipeg turnover led to a long-range shot by Mathieu Joseph that deflected off Morrissey’s stick and fooled Hellebuyck, making it 2-0 Blues.
Winnipeg was visibly rattled in the first period, registering only three shots and looking out of sync in front of their home crowd.
Power Play Lifeline
The Jets found renewed energy in the second period and were rewarded with a power play opportunity. They wasted no time. Just seven seconds into the man advantage, Cole Perfetti deflected a Kyle Connor pass over Jordan Binnington’s shoulder to get Winnipeg on the scoreboard.
However, just when the momentum seemed to be shifting, St. Louis responded. A turnover by Nikolaj Ehlers near the blue line led to a break the other way, with Radek Faksa finishing a cross-ice feed with a blistering wrist shot that made it 3-1 with 34 seconds left in the second.
Late-Game Heroics
With time slipping away in the third period and their season hanging by a thread, the Jets went all in. Coach Scott Arniel pulled Hellebuyck for an extra attacker with just over three minutes remaining, and it paid off. Vladislav Namestnikov’s shot deflected off a Blues defender and into the net to bring Winnipeg within one with 1:55 left.
Then, with less than three seconds on the clock, Canada Life Centre erupted. A frantic sequence saw the puck move from Ehlers to Connor, who found Perfetti in front of the net. The 22-year-old calmly steered it past Binnington to tie the game at 3-3 and send the crowd into delirium.
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Overtime Drama
Winnipeg dominated much of the first overtime period, outshooting the Blues 11-4, but Binnington stood tall. Ehlers had a partial breakaway but couldn’t finish, and the game extended into a second overtime.
Finally, after nearly 100 minutes of intense playoff hockey, the Jets found their breakthrough. After sustained pressure in the Blues’ zone, Neal Pionk fired a shot from the point that deflected off Sundqvist and then off Lowry before crossing the goal line.
The captain’s goal etched his name into the history books, making him just the second team captain in NHL history to score a Game 7 overtime winner in a playoff series.
Praises and Perseverance
Lowry, who was embraced by teammates in celebration, was quick to praise the team’s resolve.
“We didn’t like our start,” said Connor. “But we came together, stayed focused, and trusted our game.”
Despite the early deficit and the loss of Morrissey, the Jets’ blue line rose to the challenge. Pionk led the charge, logging a staggering 46:15 of ice time. Hellebuyck rebounded from a shaky start to make 26 saves, while Binnington was valiant in defeat with 43 stops.
Head coach Arniel commended the group’s tenacity. “That’s what playoff hockey is all about,” he said. “Nobody wanted this season to end tonight.”
Next Challenge: Dallas Stars
There’s little time for rest or reflection. The Jets will now prepare for a second-round showdown against the Dallas Stars, who also completed a dramatic Game 7 comeback of their own. Game 1 is set for Wednesday night in Winnipeg, and after Sunday’s emotional rollercoaster, fans will be eager to see if this resilient Jets squad can keep flying high.
