WINNIPEG – It was almost perfect – a script you could write that no one would believe. Winnipeg, the NHL’s smallest market, played host to the NHL Heritage Classic Weekend and did just about as good a job as you can do.
Starting Friday with a variety of events and a huge crowd for the Alumni practice, the city of Winnipeg stepped up and almost willed this event to a happy place. Merchandise 
flew off the shelves, fans felt pride to host this hockey showcase and in a way repay Jets owner Mark Chipman for his vision, his investment, and more than anything, his faith in this community.
The vibe was positive, the excitement building and the anticipation at a fever pitch for the Alumni game Saturday afternoon at a sold-out Investors Group Field. They came in  their Jets and Oilers jerseys to see their heroes – Gretzky, Messier, Coffey but especially Hawerchuk and Selanne. It was a party-like atmosphere and the old guys put on a show for them. Who cares if they aren’t fast anymore – these were THEIR heroes who came home! And the Jets legends didn’t disappoint with Teemu Selanne winning the game on a dramatic last play penalty shot. The 6-5 win erased years of bitter Oiler-related memories for Jets fans – life was good again.
On Sunday, the real NHL game (again, sold-out) was scheduled to start at 2 pm local time, but it was delayed over 90 minutes. Why? The sun was too bright!! Â Mother Nature is obviously a hockey fan and with a puck-drop temperature of +10C, it was finally game on. The Oilers prevailed in a 3-0 win over the Jets but it’s almost like the fans didn’t care at this point. It was a weekend to remember for so many reasons. Winnipeg stepped up and put on one hell of a show. Well done!
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