JENKINS’ 30-SAVE PERFORMANCE HELPS PRIVATEERS TO TIE WITH THRASHERS

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – St. John’s goaltender Matt Jenkins made 30 saves, 27 in the first two periods, as the Privateers and Winnipeg Thrashers skated to a 2-2 tie on Thursday night at the 2011 TELUS Cup.

The draw means that five teams – St. John’s, Winnipeg, London, Lac St-Louis and Halifax will enter the final day of preliminary round competition within just two points separating them in the race for three semifinal spots.

The Vancouver North West Giants, who sit first at 4-0, are the lone team to have assured itself of a spot in the Saturday semis.

The first period was a battle of the special teams, with each team converting on the power play;DannyWicks potted the rebound of a Marcus Power shot to open the scoring for St. John’s (1-2-1) before Tyrenn Bauer equalized for Winnipeg (1-1-2) just over four minutes later.

The Privateers took their second lead of the game thanks to Power’s beautiful breakaway goal – he went backhand upstairs on Thrashers net minder Teagan Sacher – midway through the second period but Winnipeg tied it up for a second time on Regan Stire’s goal in the dying second of the frame.

Winnipeg outshot St. John’s 29-10 through 40 minutes, but Jenkins kept it tied with a number of huge saves.

In the third it was the Privateers’ turn to apply pressure in the offensive zone, outshooting theThrashers11-3 in the period to more than double their shot output, but Sacher kept the tournament hosts off the board to preserve the tie.

Both teams know a victory Friday gets them a chance at a national championship – the Thrashers take on the Halifax Titans in the afternoon game (1 p.m. NT), while the Privateers wrap up the preliminary round against the Lions du Lac St-Louis (4:30 p.m. NT).