Morrissey takes on bigger role in win over Hurricanes

WINNIPEG, MB -Anytime Dustin Byfuglien is out of the lineup for the Winnipeg Jets, there is no question those are some big shoes to fill.
Sunday night in a 3-1 Jets win over the Carolina Hurricanes, Josh Morrissey was up to the task.

"Obviously you don't want to get that opportunity with Buff getting hurt but it's something as a player you relish to get that chance to get out there," said Morrissey.
"For me it was exciting to get out there, didn't have a lot of powerplays throughout the game today but yeah it was exciting. Definitely it's a huge opportunity when you get called upon to play on that unit. It's something pretty special that those guys have going."

Morrissey played 25:10, took Byfuglien's spot on the top power play unit and had a couple of assists on the night including the primary assist on Bryan Little's game winning goal with 2:09 left in the third.
"If I remember correctly, I think it was off an icing and there was a face off in their end so I thought their guys might have been a little tired," Morrissey explained.
"They tried to make a change and Bryan made a nice backhand pass to me across the ice and kind of was able to get past the first guy and had somebody going to the net. I think it was Fly (Nikolaj Ehlers) maybe going to the net and just was able to see Bryan through the seam and (he) made a great shot. Yeah, it was great to get that one at the end of the game."
The 23-year-old Calgary native and defence partner Jacob Trouba have been huge in helping the penalty kill improve since giving up three power play goals to the Dallas Stars eight days ago. After shutting down the Hurricanes man advantage twice tonight, Winnipeg has killed off 13 straight opposition powerplays.
Morrissey will be busy again Tuesday night when Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers pay a visit to Bell MTS Place.