Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/trio-has-super-time-in-minneapolis-on- super-sunday-472850603.html Trio has super time in Minneapolis on Super Sunday By: Mike McIntyre Three members of the Winnipeg Jets had a truly super Sunday. Mark Scheifele, Andrew Copp and Jacob Trouba took advantage of an off-day and made the quick trip to Minneapolis to watch the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII. "Unbelievable," Scheifele said Monday following practice. "Obviously lucky that it was in Minnesota, we had a day off. I surprised my brother and my best friend with their Christmas gifts — they got to come to the Super Bowl. And then Copper and Troubs came, too. It’s definitely something to cross off the bucket list and something that I’ll never forget." They took an early morning flight, soaked up the atmosphere before and during the game, and then caught a late-night flight home. Copp, a former high school quarterback in Michigan, said it was a "once-in-a-lifetime experience" and marvelled at getting to watch New England quarterback Tom Brady in action — even if it was in a losing effort. "It was a crazy game. There wasn’t much more Tom could have done — maybe catch the ball — but he was unbelievable," Copp said. "I turned to (Trouba) a few times and it was just like, ‘Wow, he’s playing one of the best games of his career, probably.’ And then (Philadelphia quarterback Nick) Foles made some great throws, too, so it was definitely an entertaining back- and-forth game." Copp and Scheifele didn’t hide their rooting interests, sporting Brady jerseys. Trouba wore a Brady jersey from his Michigan days. "We didn’t sit down the entire game. Our legs were burning after the first quarter. After every play, they get a five-yard run and we’re fist-pumping and high-fiving everyone around us," Scheifele said. "The whole atmosphere, the building in Minnesota was beautiful, the fans were nuts, the whole atmosphere around the Super Bowl was unbelievable." Copp also weighed in on the most controversial issue of the game, saying he enjoyed Justin Timberlake’s halftime show and the video tribute to Prince. "I really like Justin Timberlake. I think he’s really good, but they were facing the other way. But it was still cool. I think that’s one you’d rather watch on TV, though," he said. "We were just kind of going for the fan experience, kind of turned into a fan for a day and enjoyed that side of it for sure." https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/scheifele-likely-to-play-friday-hendricks-tanev-join- injured-jets-mates-472795203.html Scheifele likely to play Friday; Hendricks, Tanev join injured Jets mates By: Mike McIntyre Mark Scheifele is on the verge of returning to the Winnipeg Jets lineup. And it couldn't come at a better time. Winnipeg's lineup took another couple hits Monday after it was revealed forwards Matt Hendricks and Brandon Tanev, both of whom left Saturday's 3-0 win over Colorado, would miss some time with upper-body injuries. Hendricks is considered day-to-day but won't play Tuesday against Arizona. Tanev is week-to-week, according to coach Paul Maurice. Centre Adam Lowry also remains out after re-aggravating a previous injury last week, and Friday's game against St. Louis would be the earliest for his potential return. Forward Shawn Matthias, defenceman Jacob Trouba and goalie Steve Mason are also out longer-term. As a result, the Jets have only 10 healthy forwards on their roster heading into Tuesday's game with the Coyotes. Defenceman Tucker Poolman is a option to move up to forward, Maurice said Monday. The Jets are also expected to recall at least one, or possibly two, forwards from the Manitoba Moose later Monday. Scheifele was a full participant at Monday's practice and shed his no-contact jersey. He is expected to return as early as Friday. The No. 1 centre, who was hurt in a Dec. 27 game against Edmonton, spoke for the first time since his shoulder injury. "I'm feeling good right now. It's nice to get some bumps in and be feeling good from it," he said. "I'm happy with my progress." He wouldn't reveal any details on the injury. "I went into the boards and I hurt myself," he said with a laugh. "I don't want to give you the specifics, but it's healing really well. Obviously it sucked, being out for that long. It gets boring, and being in a sling for as long as I was sucked. But feeling better every day, happy I'm battling." Scheifele said he knew he was injured immediately on what looked like a routine kind of hit. "I could tell something went wrong. It's weird, you go to the boards, you get hit a million times in a year, and one that you wouldn't expect to hurt you, hurts you," he said. "It's tough, but the team's been playing awesome and that's the biggest part." https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/maurice-adds-triage-to-duties- 472849873.html Maurice adds triage to duties Coaching staff needs to get creative as injuries mount By: Mike McIntyre It’s getting awfully crowded these days in the Winnipeg Jets medical room. That’s likely keeping head coach Paul Maurice and his staff up at night trying to figure out how to fill out their roster. While No. 1 centre Mark Scheifele is likely just days away from returning to the lineup, the news isn’t so good on other fronts. Rookie defenceman Tucker Poolman could be moved to forward on an emergency basis if needed. He played some forward in college. Centre Matt Hendricks and winger Brandon Tanev, both of whom left Saturday’s 3-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche after getting hurt, will miss time with upper-body injuries. Hendricks is day-to-day, but won’t play tonight as Winnipeg hosts the Arizona Coyotes at Bell MTS Place. Tanev is week-to-week, according to Maurice. Centre Adam Lowry also remains out after reaggravating a previous injury last week. Friday’s game against the St. Louis Blues would be the earliest for his potential return. Forward Shawn Matthias, defenceman Jacob Trouba and goalie Steve Mason are also out long term. Only Mason has resumed light skating as he deals with his second concussion of the season. "It’s tough. The centre’s taking a beating lately," veteran centre Bryan Little said Monday. "Luckily, (Blake Wheeler) has been able to step up and play really good in that position. If we didn’t have him in there, we might be in real trouble. Winnipeg recalled forwards Nic Petan and Brendan Lemieux from the Manitoba Moose on Monday to take the spots of Hendricks and Lowry. Both could be in the lineup tonight. Lemieux, 21, played eight games with the Jets earlier this season, scoring his first NHL goal. He has 12 goals and 16 assists in 30 games with the Moose this season. Petan, 22, has no points in six games with the Jets this year. He’s been on a tear with the Moose and now has 12 goals and 29 assists in 39 games with the Jets’ AHL affiliate. Maurice said rookie defenceman Tucker Poolman could also be an a option to move up to forward on an emergency basis if needed. Poolman, who was a healthy scratch as the extra blue-liner last game, skated as a forward in Monday’s practice. He played some forward in college and for a period earlier this season in a game with the Moose. "We wanted to see it and we liked what we saw there. He’s got some experience at it, not at the NHL level. And there has to be a role for that job. Some coverage on the back end (as well)," Maurice said of the possibility. "I’m not really worried about 11 forwards, with it being two days off on the front end and back end of the games. Poolman could kill penalties, and if we had any nicks on our blue line he could cover that off. I think we’re pretty healthy back there right now." The Jets got another injury scare at practice Monday morning when defenceman Josh Morrissey went down after taking a deflected puck to the face. He went straight to the dressing room, but returned to the ice after getting several stitches for a cut on an ear. Maurice said the penalty kill is where Winnipeg might feel the injury impact the most. Trouba, Lowry, Hendricks and Tanev have all been big parts of a resurgent penalty kill that is up to eighth overall in the NHL. "The real challenge there is you’re going to end up using guys that you’d prefer not to run hard on your penalty kill. I’m thinking of (Bryan) Little and (Blake) Wheeler especially up front. We’ll get Mark (Scheifele) back and that will help for St. Louis (on Friday)," Maurice said. "You survive it by staying out of the penalty box. You can’t have a big run of numbers then (short-handed) when you’re running four and five forwards. You have to stay out of the box." The injuries to centres Lowry and Hendricks might also mean keeping Wheeler at centre when Scheifele returns, he said.