'A really hard year': Disappointed Jets hope they gave fans a pandemic distraction
The Winnipeg Jets saw their season come to an abrupt end Monday.
And while bitterly disappointed, they're hopeful a surprising -- albeit short -- playoff run provided fans in a province slammed by the COVID-19 pandemic's third wave a welcome distraction.
"I never would have thought this (series) would have gone four games," Winnipeg captain Blake Wheeler said at the Bell Centre after his team was swept by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round. "That's one of the most disappointing things ... people have nothing to do and we were giving them something to do.
"We feel bad about that."
They also gave them plenty to cheer.
The Jets headed into the first round as decided underdogs against Connor McDavid's Edmonton Oilers. Winnipeg not only surprised many with a series sweep, but won three straight overtime contests, including a thrilling triple-OT decision to advance.
"After those Edmonton games, coming out of the rink and seeing our fans honking their horns and lighting up the city was ... one of the highlights of this whole season and honestly the whole last 18 months," Wheeler added. "It gave you a life again to want to do this for Winnipeg and put on a show for them and keep giving them something to watch."
Manitoba has been battered by the pandemic's third wave. Although the numbers are starting to improve, the province's chief public health officer said this week hospitals remain strained, with dozens of intensive care patients shipped to other jurisdictions to free up bed space.
"It's been a really hard year," Wheeler said. "Winnipeg is code red and everything's shut down and kids aren't in school.
"My family feels that just as much as any other family. Even the economic impacts of that in our community are far-reaching."
The Jets played without fans all season -- the province allowed 500 fully vaccinated health-care workers to attend Games 1 and 2 against Montreal inside Bell MTS Place -- while Manitobans have been under tight coronavirus restrictions during the third wave.
"If we could have gotten people's minds off what's been going on, then it definitely makes you feel good," Jets centre Adam Lowry said. "It's unfortunate that we couldn't keep this good thing going and hopefully reach some later rounds that maybe we'd have some more fans in the building.
"We know it's been an incredibly tough year for a lot of people, so we appreciate the posts -- the tweets, the Instagram posts and just seeing people wearing Jets stuff around the city. We really appreciate the support."
Head coach Paul Maurice said it's unfortunate his team wasn't able to share its success, however fleeting, with its fervent, white-clad supporters in person.
The Jets played in front of their first real crowds of 2021 for Games 3 and 4 at the Bell Centre -- at roughly 12 per cent capacity -- in Montreal, where COVID-19 rules were reduced last month.
"It's such a special place, Winnipeg," Maurice said. "It's a fantastic home building and the crowd is different there than anywhere else. So you feel like you missed out on something.
"There's been a tremendous amount of sacrifice from a lot of people over the last year and a half. It would have been nice to give something back and to have the crowd. It's not just the Jets and the coaches and the players, it's the fans, too.
"It's a painful loss, a painful thing."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
BREAKING Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.