Jets' Comrie bounces back in shootout loss to Canadiens: 'Absolutely fantastic'

Breadcrumb Trail Links

Canadian Press

Published Dec 04, 2025 • 3 minute read

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

Article content

By Daniel Rainbird

MONTREAL — Eric Comrie wasn’t happy to be pulled during Monday’s 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, but he also didn’t sulk.

Article content

Recommended Videos

Article content

The Winnipeg Jets goalie — filling the starter’s role with MVP netminder Connor Hellebuyck injured — quickly moved on to his next challenge Wednesday night in Montreal, giving his team every chance to win an eventual 3-2 shootout loss to the Canadiens.

“He did all of that and then some,” coach Scott Arniel said. “I told him when I pulled him there in Buffalo that we’re getting ready for Montreal, and at the end of the day, you know what, he (has) a lot of pride.”

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account

Article content

Comrie stopped 29 shots, including several desperation saves, after giving up three goals on 14 shots in the Buffalo loss that prompted a players-only meeting following the game.

“I’m a competitive guy,” Comrie said. “I’m just gonna get back up and work as hard as I can the next day. I think for myself, I’ve just been trying to work as hard as I can every single day and give the best for this team.

“It’s not going our way right now, but I think we’re gonna find it.”

The Jets (13-12-1) lost for the sixth time in seven games _ all without Hellebuyck — to end a five-game road trip.

Comrie has a .888 save percentage and a 3.36 goals-against average in six starts since the Jets announced Hellebuyck would miss four to six weeks from a minor knee surgery on Nov. 21, numbers boosted by his performance Wednesday.

The Winnipeg Sun’s Daily Headline News

Thanks for signing up!

Article content

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

The 30-year-old career backup from Edmonton helped Winnipeg take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, stretching his left pad out to deny sharpshooter Cole Caufield a surefire goal.

Comrie then robbed Jake Evans with the right pad off a rebound from Brendan Gallagher, making his best impression of Winnipeg’s Vezina and Hart Trophy winner.

“He played absolutely fantastic,” said centre Mark Scheifele, who had a goal and an assist. “He’s been playing amazing for us. We haven’t played well enough in front of him to get him some wins, but he’s been making a lot of big saves that he doesn’t need to make and he’s been keeping us in games.”

Montreal’s Juraj Slafkovsky broke through on a tick-tack-toe play with the man-advantage, before Ivan Demidov set up Oliver Kapanen for a Grade A opportunity that Comrie had little chance of stopping.

Advertisement 4

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Caufield later scored the shootout winner to end an evenly-matched, back-and-forth game.

“Felt good to get those saves, sucked not to get the two points,” Comrie said. “I thought our team played well enough to get the two points.”

A frantic overtime featured ten-bell saves from both netminders, as Comrie and Canadiens counterpart Jakub Dobes took turns thwarting odd-man rushes and extending the extra period.

“They got a pretty skilled team, so you’re going to expect some chances both ways and hats off to their guy,” Comrie said. “Their guy was awesome as well. I mean, I thought it was a little fun goalie duel in overtime there and had a lot of fun battling back and forth with Dobes.”

“That was a battle of two good goaltenders,” Arniel added. “Both goaltenders made some big stops and there was a lot of different looks for each team.

“We played better in front of Comrie, which was also part of it, which we need to do, we need to continue to do. So nice to see him bounce back.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2025.

Article content

Share this article in your social network

Jets’ Comrie bounces back in shootout loss to Canadiens: ‘Absolutely fantastic’

Tags: