'Long overdue': Winnipeg Jets preseason game sees thousands of fans in attendance
After 567 days, the Winnipeg Jets had their first home game with fans gathered by the thousands.
For the last year and a half, COVID-19 has kept doors closed to spectators, making last night’s highly anticipated preseason opener a memorable night for fans in attendance who've been longing for live hockey.
Fans were lined up around the block and could barely hold their anticipation ahead of the game against the Ottawa Senators.
"As soon as I found out we were going to have fans, I was so, so, so, so, pumped,” said one Jets fan before Sunday’s game.
“I can’t wait to get in there. All my favourite players are playing. I can’t wait.”
For the first time since March of 2020, Jets tickets were available to the general public with no capacity restrictions on attendance.
It was a moment that could not come soon enough for many fans, with some even travelling from around the province to be there.
While the fans got an overtime game with a former Wheat King scoring for the visiting team, the Jets eventually fell to Ottawa in overtime by a score of 3-2.
Nevertheless, it was all celebration and gratitude after the game.
"People were great, that's what Manitobans are all about…[it] just brings the best out in everyone. Long overdue," said a fan after the game.
Though safety measures are still in place to help fight the spread of COVID-19, it did not hinder the experience of those in attendance who are looking forward to sharing more moments like these with fellow fans.
CTV News Winnipeg previously reported that people need to be fully vaccinated to attend Winnipeg Jets games. Children who are under 12 can attend if they’re accompanied by a fully immunized person that they live with or are related to.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
BREAKING Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
Six Canadian children repatriated from detention in Syria, Global Affairs Canada says
The Global Affairs Department says six Canadian children have been repatriated from detention in northeastern Syria.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.