(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Winnipeg Jets center Mason Appleton (82) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018.
SAN JOSE – Christmas came early for local hockey fans who stayed up late Thursday night to witness a terrific game between a pair of Western Conference heavyweights in the Winnipeg Jets and San Jose Sharks.
And it was Nikolaj Ehlers who delivered two big points for the visitors, as the flashy forward scored with just over three minutes to play to break a tie, then added an empty netter for the hat trick.