Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Sports

Preparing for Act 2 in Winnipeg, jumpy Jets eyeing playoff berth in short season

Associated Press
Published | Updated
  • Jets Hockey
    Image 1 of 2

    Winnipeg Jets head coach Claude Noel talks to Dustin Byfuglien (33) during NHL hockey training camp in Winnipeg, Manitoba on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Woods) (The Associated Press)

  • Jets Camp Hockey
    Image 2 of 2

    Winnipeg Jets' Jim Slater (19) does his warm up skate during their NHL hockey training camp in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Monday, Jan. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Woods) (The Associated Press)

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Getting an NHL team back was enough of a high in 2011-12, but fans and the team are expecting more as the Winnipeg Jets enter Season 2 this weekend.

General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff made that clear months ago when his team finished out of the playoffs last season.

"It's a sport that we play for the fans," he said. "We would expect nothing less than expectations continue to grow each and every day."

This season, they want to snag the playoff berth that seemed tantalizingly close last year. The Jets finished fourth in the Southeast Division, and had a division-leading 32 points and a 14-6-4 record against Southeast rivals, before bowing out of the race.

This year, in a short time, they'll travel a lot and they'll play a lot. And it won't be easy.

"It is what it is and it's not that bad," coach Claude Noel said of the schedule. "I really like the way it closes up in April."