Hundreds of commenters besieged the Winnipeg Free Press website's coverage of Sunday's return of the Winnipeg Jets.

For many, the day was all they imagined and more. They let the online world know what a historic day it was for Winnipeg and for the city's hockey fans. There were also plenty who thought the Jets' 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens was as pleasant as a high stick in the teeth.

And there were a few who were sent to the Free Press website's sin bin.

Here are a selection of the comments that got through. Note to the Jets: you're not in Atlanta anymore.

"Despite the loss I thought the Jets fans showed more class then I have ever seen at an NHL game.

"Very proud they are the ones at the games and not some of these naysayers who bail on the team after one loss. Keep supporting and we'll get them back next time."

-- chee r0y

"Regardless of the outcome of the game, this moment was so special on so many levels. The opening was as classy as could be and I watched it on a NHL feed while in California thinking they would go right to the game! Awesome job!"

-- Cindy Zajac

"New Jets take up where the old ones left off."

-- Hrothgar

"Where were all all the old Jet players? Hidden in the rafters?"

-- Bill Anderson

"From The Forks celebration to the jets flying overhead to the Jets on ice, a spectacular surge of energy as the past and present merged bestowing those in its presence with exhilaration and a sense of awe."

-- Peblz

"No big deal. Team needs to just get down to business and focus on ice going forward and reduce the circus factor off ice."

-- HockeyPro

"If this is any indication, it looks like a long season for the Jets. Must admit though that the team uniform looks top-notch."

-- norwood

"I watched most of the first period on TV and was absolutely thrilled! I enjoyed seeing all the regalia the fans were wearing and how excited they were.

"The high expectations of the fans must have been nerve-racking. So they lost tonight. The main thing is that what seemed impossible two years ago is now a reality. Our Jets are back!"

-- Intangible

"Let's face it. They blew it big time. This was not just any home opener. This was a lot more than just a game and they blew it. Even Andrew Ladd said they played sloppy, and he was pretty ticked. It's embarrassing and he knows it."

-- likethepear

"Well it looks like one thing hasn't changed in the last 15 years and that's the crappy officiating. They missed a lot of calls."

-- hammer1

"Once we don't have the unlucky charms like PM Harper and Bettman there to jinx us and take up valuable seats for real fans ... all will be good. But we do need to be louder fans ... make opponents hate playing here. The fans were just OK in volume tonight. We have to pick it up!"

-- vbmanitoba

"Still finding our legs. We'll get 'em next time. Go Jets!"

-- Kayla Lynn

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 11, 2011 A2