Best, brightest moments from Heritage Classic weekend in Winnipeg
Winnipeg was treated to a weekend jam-packed with memorable moments on and off the ice during the Heritage Classic.
Losing never looked so happy
The Jets may not have come away with the win against the Edmonton Oilers, but that didn't stop Winnipeg fans from walking away from Investors Group Field with big happy grins on their faces.
The Oilers downed the Jets 3-0 Sunday in front of 33,240 spectators at the outdoor game.
Winnipeg was the first star this weekend. Not the result we wanted but, as always, thanks for the love!
—@BiggieFunkeAfter entering the second period scoreless on both sides, Edmonton fired two past Jets' goaltender Connor Hellebuyck in the span of less than two minutes.
Then Oilers' winger Zack Kassian scored near the end of the second in what would be the third and final goal of the game.
The outcome of that game was a tough pill to swallow for Winnipeg fans, but many who were in the stands couldn't help but feel lucky just to take in the big outdoor game.
"Heartbreaking.... It was awesome," Kevin Chartrand said. "The atmosphere was still there, even though we didn't go home with it."
Beer makes for 'trip of a lifetime'
...Well, it wasn't the beer per se as much as the can that housed it that made for an amazing weekend for a pair of hockey fans from B.C.
Clay Palmantier found a sharp looking Heritage-Classic-themed beer can in a parking lot last week out west, and he was so taken by the design that he went to the vendor and picked up a 24-pack of his own.
The only problem was that none of those cans matched the one from the parking lot. The curious difference sent him out to the garage.
That's where he fished out the old can from his recycling to find that it was just like the one shown on the beer can box — one that won he and his friend, Jake Hilton, tickets to the big game in Winnipeg.
"It is a Willy Wonka story. Like finding the golden ticket," Palmantier said.
Late start
The game on Sunday was scheduled to get underway at 2 p.m. CT, but mother nature had other plans.
Big reflective sheets had to be stretched out across the outdoor rink to keep the ice from melting, as the bright rays from the sun shone down and made for poor ice conditions.
The game finally got underway about two hours later, just before 4 p.m. CT.
Gretzky 'stinks'
On Saturday, Oiler and Jet legends dusted off the skates and played in the Heritage Classic Alumni game.
Former Oiler captain, and overall hockey God, Wayne Gretzky suited up for his old club alongside superstars such as Mark Messier.
While many in the stands said it was amazing to see their old hockey heroes back at it again, the game certainly wasn't very fast compared to the young guns on Sunday — and boy, did The Great One know it (and feel it).
"I'm really bad," Gretzky said with a laugh, adding he had warned his teammates before the game.
Finnish Flash flies again
Gretzky retired in 1999 and has spent much of his time since hitting the links rather than pucks.
On the other hand, Teemu Selanne just retired in 2014. The 46-year-old former Jet had a much longer career than your average NHLer, and based on his play in the legends game Saturday, he's still got it.
Selanne scored twice Saturday and helped propel the Jets to a 6-5 win over the Oilers of old.
His second goal was the game-winner on a penalty shot with 3.6 seconds left in the game. The Finnish Flash put the puck low glove-side against the Oilers' keeper, bringing Jets fans in the stands to their feet.
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With files from Min Dhariwal and Erin Brohman