February 19, 2013

The Winnipeg Jets celebrate their victory over the Buffalo Sabres at the end of the third period of their NHL hockey game in Buffalo, New York February 19, 2013. (REUTERS/Doug Benz)

BUFFALO - This time, the Winnipeg Jets got the reward to go along with the hard work.

And while it was a little more difficult than it needed to be, the fact the Jets were able to clamp down defensively and find a way to get back into the win column with a gutsy 2-1 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres before a crowd of 19,070 at First Niagara Center on Tuesday night is at that really matters to them.

The Jets opened a pivotal five-game road trip by turning the tide and snapping a three-game losing streak, converting all of the pent-up negativity into unabashed joy.