The Winnipeg Jets are back

For the first time in 15 years, NHL hockey has returned back to Winnipeg as the newest incarnation of the Jets.

How did the Pittsburgh Penguins face long ago against the Jets?  Let's take a look at memory lane-

February 16th, 1996- Would be the last time the Penguins played in Winnipeg, until tonight.  A 1-0 shutout win for the boys in black and gold.  Tom Barrasso stopped all 32 shots he saw and Jaromir Jagr scored the game's only goal, with the lone assist going to Sergei Zubov.  Mario Lemieux did not suit up for this game. 

Still active goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin made 31 of 32 saves for Winnipeg in the losing effort.  Shane Doan played in this game for the Jets.  So did Richard Park, for the Penguins/



March 5th 1996 - the final time the Pens played the old version of the Winnipeg Jets.  Pittsburgh skated to a 9-4 victory at the Igloo.  Petr Nedved scored four goals and tacked on an assist.  Jaromir Jagr and Mario Lemieux each collected four assists.  Ron Francis chipped in three apples.  The not very memorable Dave McLlwain scored his only two goals in a Penguins sweater that season in this game and Sergei Zubov also tallied two goals.  Markus Naslund somehow was a -2.

Winnipeg had plenty of fimiliar names- Keith Tkachuk grabbed an assist, future Pens coach Ed Olczyk used his active stick to score a goal and tough guy Jim McKenzie scored two goals to go along with his 17 penalty minutes.  Pittsburgh roasted Khabibulin for 5 goals in 16 shots in just 26 minutes of play.