In the dead of winter, the game of hockey brought happiness to Winnipeggers. Not only did people watch Canada win gold in Sochi, they had the chance to see their own National Hockey League heroes take the game to the great outdoors.
It was all part of the Winnipeg Jets Outdoor Practice.
2,500 people braved the elements to watch the Jets skate at The Forks. With a windchill of -28 C, the NHL’ers dressed in layers to keep warm on the Red River Mutual Trail. The fans also came prepared, wearing sweaters underneath their Jets’ jerseys to watch their favourite players in a setting they don’t normally see them.
The Jets practiced and then took on a team of 10 and 11-year-olds. The Portage la Prairie Atom 1 team won a contest and got to scrimmage against the Jets. In total, the team was on the ice for about one hour.
It was the opportunity of the lifetime for the young players who got the share the ice with the Jets.
While it was all fun and games on Sunday, the team now has to refocus on the remaining 22 games left in the season.
They’ve been off for two weeks because of the Olympic break, but return to game action this Thursday February 27 when they host the Phoenix Coyotes at MTS Centre.
