WINNIPEG – The Heritage Classic Outdoor Game at IG Field was a dream come true for most Winnipeggers and Manitobans . The whole idea of an Outdoor Event from the NHL that featured the Jets was something out of a story book and after five years of planning it became a reality today. An October weekend that featured the Stars of the past and the future for the Winnipeg Jets and their arch rivals the Edmonton Oilers who were a powerhouse rival in the 80’s and 90’s that always seemed to stand in the way of very good Jets teams.
This weekend featured three days of great events including an Alumni game that saw some of the best NHL legends lacing them up for maybe one final time that included the likes of Wayne Gretzky , Mark Messier , Paul Coffey , Jarri Kurri of the Edmonton Oilers and Teemu Selanne , Dale Hawerchuk of the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets alumni stole the show as the beat the Oiler Legends 6-5 on a last minute penalty shot goal from Teemu Selanne.
The main event between two of the youngest teams in the league featured a head to head battle between Oilers Captain Connor McDavid and Jets rookie Patrik Laine.
The Oilers sent the fans home a bit unhappy as they won 3-0 on a 31 save shutout performance by goalie Cam Talbot.
The game was delayed two hours because of sunshine and glares something nobody would of thought of in Winnipeg.
The Jets came out crashing and banging as they were full of energy . The crowd was into it as well but Talbot stole the show as he robbed Drew Stafford and Tyler Myers early on and the Oilers weathered the first period flurry by the Jets. Rookie sensation Laine also had a point blank chance that he misfired on after he threw a big hit that turned over the puck.
After a rough first period the Oilers found their legs and after a couple of glaring turnovers by the Jets in which Mark Letestu and Darnell Nurse both buried it was 2-0 and the energy level was at zero for the Jets. Zack Kassian made it 3-0 as the second period ended.
There would be no magical ending in the third period as the Jets couldn’t find the back of the net.
Connor Hellebuyck sporting the toque on his helmet made 29 saves in the loss.
The costly turnovers seem to be hurting these young Jets and they will need to get those growing pains corrected.
Although the team couldn’t get the win the overall experience for the city was nothing short of fabulous. This was a first class event as the stadium was turned into a beautiful outdoor rink . The fans were treated to an exceptional weekend as they got see there favorite legends and there favorites of the present.
33,240 fans filled the stadium for the 2016 Heritage Classic and made it be known that Winnipeg is a hockey town and is also a great place to play .
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