Bowness after loss to Flames: 'That didn't even look like the Jets out there'

When your team is in a tight race for a division title, every loss gets magnified. This was especially true for the Winnipeg Jets.

With a chance to make a move up the Central Division standings, the Jets defensive game faltered in a disappointing 6-3 loss to the struggling Calgary Flames.

Head coach Rick Bowness didn't mince his words when asked about the team's performance as they allowed six goals against for the first time this season.

What really got Bowness concerned was Winipeg's play at 5-on-5 after his team allowed five goals against.

“That's as soft a 5-on-5 game as we've played all year. That's not us at all, so that didn't even look like the Winnipeg Jets out there,” said Bowness to reporters after the game.

“But you know what? You flush it and we're going to get ready for tomorrow."

What was most disappointing was that the team wasted a breakout game for newly acquired centre Sean Monahan who recorded a hat trick in in a span of 5:17 (the fastest in team history).

For goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, he saw his streak of allowing three goals or less end at 31 games. It was the seventh-longest streak in league history, and fifth longest in the modern era.

“He's been unbelievable all year,” defenceman Josh Morrissey said about Hellebuyck's streak coming to an end.

“And it's just disappointing that we as a team in front of him gave up looks that there was nothing he could do on.”

The Jets (33-15-5) sit third in the Central Division with 71 points but also have three games in hand on both the Colorado Avalanche (72 points) and Dallas Stars (76 points).

Winnipeg will have to move on quickly from the loss as they host the Minnesota Wild who put up 10 goals on the NHL-leading Vancouver Canucks.