NJD

WIN

Winnipeg Leads Series 1-0

Well, it is clear one team was ready for the finals.  The Winnipeg Jets were relatively more rested than New Jersey, who were stretched to Game #7 against Philadelphia for their right to be in their first ever NFHL finals.  And if not for Kirk McLean, this game might have been even worse.  Winnipeg fired 39 shots on New Jersey goaltending, scoring 5 times and cruising to their first ever win in the SMJ Cup finals after being swept their only other time here.  Brendan Shanahan, Kirk Muller and Don Sweeney each had a goal and assist and Joe Nieuwendyk and Ed Olczyk chipped in with goals in the victory. However, the most impressive part of this game was Winnipeg's defense.  They limited the Devils to 15 shots the entire game, only allowing Allan Bester to see more than 5 shots in the 7-shot 2nd period.  Peter Zezel managed to slip one by in that period, a power play marker, but the Jets were never in any real jeopardy here.  New Jersey will have to regroup in Game #2 if they want a chance to steal a game before heading home.