Winnipeg Jets fans were celebrating in downtown streets once again Saturday night with a 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, but the crowd was smaller than originally anticipated.
The teams faced off in the first game of the Western Conference Final at Bell MTS Place and as with each home game, thousands of fans gathered at the Winnipeg Whiteout street party.
Economic Development Winnipeg told CTV News Saturday afternoon it was planning for up to 27,000 fans to attend the party, instead EDW and True North Sports and Entertainment said 15,000 people showed up.
On Saturday night, EDW and TNSE said they would be releasing 10,000 additional tickets for Monday's Whiteout street party. The number of tickets being released is based on the ratio of tickets that were redeemded versus those issued at Saturday's party.
‘Pretty good [atmosphere],’ said 90-year-old Jane Deller from the corner of Donald Street and Graham Avenue, sporting her vintage Winnipeg Jets jersey.
Leading up to the party, not everyone who wanted to take part in the street party thought they'd get the chance.
Friday, organizers announced fans needed to obtain a free online ticket to attend. The tickets evaporated in 90 minutes.
Jets fan Mary Lou Bourgeois missed out online, but decided to show up the at the gates anyway. She snagged tickets for her and her sister.
"To me it's history, it's history that's happening and it's just fun to be here," said Bourgeois
TNSE said it printed a small number of tickets for fans, telling CTV News it found many people who had unused tickets donated them back for others to get into the street party.
“We don’t anticipate that will be the case at the next street party; therefore, we strongly encourage fans to redeem four free tickets at ticketmaster.ca. when additional tickets become available. We’re anticipating on releasing more tickets for Monday’s street party soon,” said spokesperson Rob Wozny in an email Saturday night.
Fans who attended the game inside Bell MTS place didn't need an online ticket to the street party. Entry is included with each game ticket.
Attending the game and street party were memorable moments for Las Vegas couple Josie Huebner and Chris Sticha who made the trip to Winnipeg.
"Awesome, fans are the best man," said Sticha.
"I couldn't get a word in. You guys were so loud, every time you guys took a break I was yelling and that’s all I could do. I couldn't get a word in," said Huebner.
Attendance at the street party does not include people at the game inside Bell MTS Place, which holds 15,000 fans.
In total, Economic Development Winnipeg said about 30,000 people took in the whiteout experience Saturday night.
Economic Development Winnipeg said Sunday capacity at the next Whiteout street party will remain at 27,000.
As of Monday morning, tickets for the street party are sold out.
‘You can't just wing it’: Winnipeg event planner
Decade long event planner Sara Smith agrees with the tickets to ensure fans are safe and enjoy the event.
“I think it's just the responsible thing to do when it’s a large governing body like the city or the police takeover an event, it can't be a free for all. They can't let that happen,” she said.
Smith helps organize Galentine's Day, a free annual event held on Valentine's Day for women to enjoy a day of self-care.
"We've actually kinda run into the same situation where, this year we didn't know how many people would show up, and suddenly it's on us where we want to have a great event and invite people to enjoy themselves, but we're worried we don't have enough resources. 'What if people walk away empty handed?', and then you're going to get even more complaints."
"I've seen a lot of the complaints online where people say you're ruining the spirit of this event... it is not about ruining of the fun of event, it is about making sure people can be safe, and this is done in a responsible way, because that's how you make an event happen without having it being a disaster."
"Even Burning Man sells tickets, that is the most free for all hippy event in the world, and people should be able to come there and be totally free and have an amazing time, but they still sell tickets."
"You can't just wing it," Smith said.
