NHL playoff hockey is returning to Manitoba for the first time in nearly two decades.
The Winnipeg Jets qualified for the post-season following a shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche last Thursday, April 9.
“Awesome,” Jets centre Bryan Little, who has never been in the playoffs, told the Winnipeg Sun. “It’s hard to explain until you get into the first one. For me, I’ve only watched it on TV and it’s hard to swallow, not getting to be part of it. Now I’m looking forward to Game 1.”
It was still unknown as of press time Friday whether the Jets will face the Anaheim Ducks or St. Louis Blues, but either way they will be the underdogs.
Jets fans are expected to resurrect the old Winnipeg tradition of the whiteout, in which the faithful wear white to home games.
“I’m glad I’ve got that tinted visor on because there’s going to be a lot of white in there,” winger Blake Wheeler told the Sun. “I’m excited. You see some of the video in the past, some of those playoff games, and it’s pretty crazy. We’re pumped to share this with our fans and the community. Hopefully, we can continue our strong play.”
This marks the Jets’ first trip to the post-season since returning to Winnipeg in 2011. The former edition of the team last made the playoffs in 1996, losing to Detroit.
