 battles for the puck with Liam O'Brien (38) (Winnipeg Jets Facebook).jpg)
The Winnipeg Jets suffered a disappointing 5-2 defeat to the Utah Hockey Club at the Delta Center last night, marking another tough outing for a team struggling to find consistency.
Barrett Hayton led the charge for Utah, recording a goal and two assists. Clayton Keller added a goal and an assist, while Logan Cooley extended his goal streak to a career-high four games. With the victory, Utah (20-19-7) secured back-to-back home wins for the first time since November 13. Goalie Connor Ingram made 23 saves to anchor the team’s solid performance.
For Winnipeg (31-14-3), Nikolaj Ehlers provided two assists, and Connor Hellebuyck also turned aside 23 shots. However, the Jets have now lost six of their last ten games (4-4-2), and their frustrations were evident postgame.
“That was embarrassing. Of all the games this year, that was the most embarrassing game,” said Jets coach Scott Arniel, taking accountability for his team’s struggles. “For me, for our players, I take full credit. I’ve got to be the one that has to hold these guys accountable and make sure we’re better. That was embarrassing.”
Ehlers echoed his coach. “That is not Winnipeg Jets hockey,” he said. “It’s not the first time this year we’ve played this way, and when you don’t play the right way in this league, it doesn’t matter who you’re playing against, you’re not winning that game.”
Adding to Winnipeg’s woes, team captain Adam Lowry left the game after the first period with an undisclosed injury. Arniel did not have an update on his status after the game.
The Jets will look to regroup as they head to Colorado tomorrow night before hosting Utah on January 24.