Jets' Pavelec: 3-on-3 OT is 'definitely better than the shootout'

Count Winnipeg Jets goaltender Ondrej Pavelec among the supporters of the league's new 3-on-3 overtime.

Pavelec watched from the bench as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Jets 1-0 on an overtime winner by Matt Dumba in preseason action Tuesday night. The veteran netminder wasn't happy with the loss, but said he likes the new format.

"It was a fun game, I mean, it's for the fans," he told reporters in the postgame scrum. "(There were) a lot of scoring chances on both sides, and (a) crazy overtime."

Even though the new format might not be ideal for goaltenders, Pavelec said it's a good way to reduce the number of shootouts.

"One mistake and there was an odd-man rush, so, it's good for fans," Pavelec said. "I think it's (exciting). I don't know if it's (exciting) for (the) players, but it's definitely better than the shootout."

Connor Hellebuyck manned the crease for the extra frame, taking over for Pavelec for the start of the third period.

Hellebuyck was also disappointed with the result, but echoed his teammate's sentiment about the 3-on-3 period.

"It's really exciting," he said. "I think the fans liked it (and) as players, we're just going to keep getting better at it. I like it."

The 22-year-old wouldn't go as far as Pavelec in declaring the new format better than the shootout.

"It's hard to say, because that's fun too."

Pavelec stopped all 19 shots he faced over the two periods. Hellebuyck denied six of seven shots in just under 24 minutes.

- With h/t to Jets Nation