5°c A few clouds
17°c Sunny
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Jets, and their fans, will be back
Winnipeg Jets' Nik Antropov (80) and Evander Kane (9) celebrate Antropov's goal on Tampa Bay Lightning's goaltender Dwayne Roloson (30) during second period NHL action in Winnipeg on Saturday, April 7, 2012. (JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Related Items
-
Articles
The last time an NHL season ended in Winnipeg it was a hockey funeral but this was just like shuttering up the cottage for the year. Everyone, team and fans alike, will be back next season.
There’s no need for a team saving rally at Portage and Main. Children can keep their piggy banks for things like bikes and Jets jerseys. Winnipeg isn’t in some panic to save its team. In fact, this summer Jets fans can sit back catch their breath and get ready for next season which holds the promise of 41 more crazy nights in our downtown rink.
The folks in Phoenix may need a vigil and fans in Quebec City will likely have to hang on every word Gary Bettman utters on the subject of relocation.
Here in Winnipeg we have our own problems. Like who will the team take first in the draft and which free agents should be pursued. Soon a schedule for next season, should the league and players’ union ever get around to working out a deal, will be released and Winnipeggers will gather to divvy up the stubs. Who gets the Toronto game and who gets the Detroit game. Good problems to have are they not?
Saturday night this winter of our content blew out of town like a lion. Roaring for all the nation and anywhere hockey matters to hear. Mark Chipman let it slip over the weekend the Jets wouldn’t be eligible for league subsidies as one of the NHL’s top-15 revenue teams.
Too small, too poor, we heard it all. How about too passionate and too committed? Those labels seem far more applicable now.
"It’s insane, honestly. Being younger, I never would have thought the Jets would come back. But this year has probably been one of my best years ever. Having the Jets back the community has come around and its been so insane," said Reed Olsen, a 19-year-old Winnipegger jamming the concourse during the first period of Saturday’s intermission. "Everyone is so excited. Even though this is the last game, it’s just the beginning."
This season is over and there will be no playoff games but any weeping should be short-lived. While for a long time there was only hope and rumour now there is certainly and a foundation.
"It’s awesome and the energy is amazing. I feel a little sad that the season is over but so happy that they’re coming back next fall. It’s the first year and you can only expect so much. I love the Jets and what they’ve done for the city," said Dolly Kaushal, 28.
Saturday night with just around three minutes left in the game the fans stood and started that chant. "Go Jets Go." They didn’t want it to end. Trailing 3-2 to the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning, it wasn’t another loss they were worried about but having the lights go out on their season and moment in the spotlight.
So they willed more. They forced overtime. And they got it.
Really it sums up the renaissance of the NHL in Winnipeg. The people willed more hockey. And they got. And they’ll have it again next year.
Will on, Winnipeg. Will on.
Twitter: @garylawless
More Columnists
- Back to Top
- Return to Columnists
About Gary Lawless
Gary Lawless is the Free Press sports columnist and co-host of the Hustler and Lawless show on TSN 1290 Winnipeg and www.winnipegfreepress.com
Lawless began covering sports as a rookie reporter at The Chronicle-Journal in Thunder Bay after graduating from journalism school at Durham College in Ontario.
After a Grey Cup winning stint with the Toronto Argonauts in the communications department, Lawless returned to Thunder Bay as sports editor.
In 1999 he joined the Free Press and after working on the night sports desk moved back into the field where he covered pro hockey, baseball and football beats prior to being named columnist.
Poll
Most Popular Columnists
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- Harper needs to quit hiding behind his staff
- Tell the building manager and the peep show will end
- Japan's PM risks bankruptcy
- Vigneault will be a man in demand
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- Political opportunity knocks to abolish Senate
- All hail caesar dressing as it tops off matador salad
- Blame ad by mayor, deputy for jeopardizing money-saver
- Rainbow Harmony Project sings with a blast
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- A new mom's booze-fuelled hell
- Katz bogeys again
- 'It's a beautiful story': There's not always a tomorrow to say you're sorry or make things right
- Harper needs to quit hiding behind his staff
- Political opportunity knocks to abolish Senate
- Tell husband you're not talking to her... maybe tell him why
- Tell the building manager and the peep show will end
- Big Blue will have one helluva punter
- Mount Carmel Clinic: An oasis of acceptance in a judgmental world
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- Goodbye, Susan; a privilege to know you
- Twins are theirs, but province doesn't agree
- Bun Brouhaha: Kitchen staff's snap firing worthy of reality TV
- Beloved piece of Winnipeg's music history deserves better
- A new mom's booze-fuelled hell
- Facebook pokes Manitoba
- Katz bogeys again
- Dugouts could change the game
- Winter is coming
- 'It's a beautiful story': There's not always a tomorrow to say you're sorry or make things right
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- A new mom's booze-fuelled hell
- Explore Desire seminars to 'push the boundaries'
- Tick season means pets at risk of Lyme disease
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- Going gluten-free doesn't mean giving up foods you love
- Late deal in workplace sex-harassment case
- Tapping sweetness from birch trees
- Mount Carmel Clinic: An oasis of acceptance in a judgmental world
- Twins are theirs, but province doesn't agree
- 'It's a beautiful story': There's not always a tomorrow to say you're sorry or make things right
- Bun Brouhaha: Kitchen staff's snap firing worthy of reality TV
- Dugouts could change the game
- Happily selling shoes at age 89
- Facebook pokes Manitoba
- White sucker right for Manitoba
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Selinger's ability to sell case weak link in tax-hike plan
- Emotional roller-coaster
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.