It was an historic night downtown for the Winnipeg Jets and fans of the NHL hockey team.

The Jets punched their ticket to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history, prompting thousands of fans to celebrate in the streets.

It’s a party that’s been a long time coming; one Jets fans have been waiting for since the team moved to Winnipeg in 2011.

"Second round, can't wait for it,” said Jets fan Rex Quilapio who cheered on the team at the Whiteout Street Party.

Most of that cheering happened in the first period. A Jacob Trouba goal 31 seconds into the game and three more in the first period gave the Jets an early lead and the crowd a good reason to erupt into cheers.

In the end, the team cruised to a 5-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild.

For Jets fan Kurtis Perkins it's all still a little hard to believe.

"Here we are, 2018, the Jets are on fire. Second round is very promising. I'm speechless,” said Perkins. "It's exciting. Very exciting."

Vince Sinclair drove around three hours with his son, daughter and wife from Gypsumville to Winnipeg to take in the street party.

A trip he said was well worth it.

"We were watching it on TV the other night and we just had to come here tonight and try to be here with everybody,” said Sinclair. “It was very fun. Very exciting."

The Whiteout Street Party welcomed its biggest crowd yet. There were more vendors, more screens and more cheers.

Winnipeg police said more than 15,000 people were in attendance. Northbound Hargrave St. at St. Mary Ave. was closed to accommodate additional crowds.

Police estimated there was another 2,000 milling about in the core.

When the game ended the crowd let loose.

Some carried on the celebration at Portage and Main, temporarily shutting down the busy intersection in the heart of the city.

Winnipeg Police tweeted the intersection of Portage and Main would be closed off so fans could gather there, adding: "This is your night, #Winnipeg."

With the Jets playoff run continuing organizers have said the downtown street party will only continue to grow.