Loud and proud fans out in full force

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This article was published 05/04/2023 (937 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets might not have put forth a 60-minute effort in a potentially season-defining game against the visiting Calgary Flames, but the same can’t be said about the local fans in attendance.

Braving a snowy and cold spring evening, the 14,077 strong at Canada Life Centre battled through the conditions and were as involved and raucous as they’ve been all season. While the Jets were unable to secure a much-needed two points, falling to the Flames 3-1, their presence was certainly felt.

“They’re telling us they’re ready for the next couple weeks and we’ve got to be ready for that as well,” said Jets defenceman Nate Schmidt after the game. “That’s the kind of thing you want from your home crowd, to come out in a game like that, give you a lot of jam to get going. It was a good hockey game, a lot of stuff happens, we’ve just got to capitalize on our chances.”

Schmidt added: “If it’s like that the rest of the way I’ve got a good feeling about how our team game will be at home.”

Much of the narrative heading into the game, given how close the two Western Conference clubs are in the standings, was Wednesday’s tilt would be as close to a playoff game as it gets in the regular season. While the action certainly lived up to the billing for much of the night — a low-scoring, tight-checking affair that had several penalties and a ton of extra-curricular activity after the whistle — the audience was also in full-form.

It didn’t take long for the home faithful to get engaged, either, beginning with a “Go Jets Go” chant prior to puck drop that was strong enough to make your heart race. Indeed, the crowd knew exactly what was at stake, with the Flames entering the night just two points behind the Jets for the final wild-card playoff spot in the West.

The fans were also quick to voice their displeasure when things went sideways for Winnipeg. Jets centre Pierre-Luc Dubois was called for a boarding penalty against Flames defenceman Rasmus Andersson early in the first period to the crowd’s dismay, and they let Andersson know about it the rest of the game, booing him whenever he touched the puck.

The last couple months haven’t been easy for fans, with the Jets giving them little to cheer for as the losses have piled up. They’ve been at their best to start Winnipeg’s current five-game homestand, which opened with wins against the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils, and continues with important games against the Nashville Predators and San Jose Saturday and Monday night, respectively.

The Jets understand the crowd went home unhappy, but they also know how important the fans will be in securing points with just four more regular-season games remaining. Winnipeg wraps up the year with a pair of road games versus the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche.

Simply put, the Flames were able to take the crowd out of the game in the third period, scoring twice in the final frame.

“I’m sure they’re disappointed tonight, but we felt the energy, we felt them out there,” said Dubois. “The season’s not over, we have two big games coming up at home before finishing the season on the road, so we’re going to need them more than ever. We understand the disappointment but we really felt the energy. It was a great crowd out there tonight and we’re going to need them again for these next two games at home.”

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton