With the Western Conference’s best team in town, Wednesday presented a test for the streaky Avalanche.
Colorado flunked.
The Jets beat the Avs 3-2 in overtime at Ball Arena, using a pair of second-period goals followed by Neal Pionk’s game-winner 17 seconds into the extra frame to increase Winnipeg’s lead in the Central Division to nine points.
With 33 games left, Colorado’s nowhere near mathematically eliminated from overtaking the Jets down the stretch, but Thursday’s OT defeat only adds to the uphill climb. And it capped a five-game homestand that coach Jared Bednar labeled “inconsistent” after the Avs went 2-2-1.