THE GREAT OUTDOORS
The Calgary Flames’ Sean Monahan chases the Winnipeg Jets’ Kyle Connor in front of a packed Mosaic Stadium during Saturday’s NHL Heritage Classic.
It’s hard to say whether Regina’s first NHL regular-season game will also be the last.
If that proves to be the case, Saturday’s Heritage Classic between the Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames was one heck of a farewell party.
Not even the sudden arrival of winter could spoil the occasion as a loud and proud gathering of 33,518 fans watched the Jets rally for a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory at jam-packed Mosaic Stadium.
It was fitting that Regina’s adopted son — Calgary-born defenceman Josh Morrissey — sparked the comeback when he scored a power-play goal with 4:11 left in the third period. Bryan Little finished it off at 3:04 of sudden-death action, putting the final touch on a memorable experience for the “home” team.
“I thought it was amazing — the support right from the time we landed (on Friday),” offered Morrissey. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen as many (people in) jerseys walking around downtown, outside the hotels and whatnot.
“Everyone coming to the game knew it was going to be cool and windy. As soon as we walked out of the tunnel, that crowd was electric. It was completely full. As a player it was just an awesome time. I think the city and the province really embraced it.”
So did the teams.
Despite being on the losing side, Flames head coach Bill Peters sounded like a fan as he gushed about Saskatchewan hospitality and an “outstanding ” outdoor experience that was worth savouring.
“The hockey fans of the province of Saskatchewan came out in full force,” Peters marvelled. “(There was) lots of energy in Mosaic Stadium. It was a beautiful setting with the light snow. The temperature wasn’t too bad. (These games) are fantastic. If you ever get a chance to be a part of one, do it.”
Not only was it Regina’s first-ever regular-season game, it was also the first time the Heritage Classic had been staged in a neutral-site locale.
If you ask Peters, the NHL made a great choice in bringing it to the heartland.
“The province of Saskatchewan is a strong hockey province — a proud hockey province,” he said. “You look at the players they produce continually. When you look back at it and you say you played the first NHL game in the City of Regina in Mosaic Stadium, you’re going to have a lot of fond memories.”
That was especially true for Morrissey, who spent plenty of time in Regina as a youngster. His father was raised here and his grandparents lived in the city their entire lives before passing away.
They weren’t far from Morrissey’s thoughts during Saturday’s contest, which was aptly staged in the new home of their beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“They were big Rider fans,” he said. “They were season-ticket holders, at the old stadium of course. To get a win here in the fashion we did and to personally score a goal is something I’ll remember for a long time. It’s like they were with me a little bit in that moment, so it was pretty special for me and my family.”
Morrissey’s only hint of regret came from the fact that his grandparents couldn’t be in attendance. They would have fit right in amongst a sea of red and blue — with plenty of green mixed in.
“When I turned pro and made the NHL, I didn’t anticipate necessarily that we’d get a chance to play back here again in Saskatchewan,” said the former Prince Albert Raiders star.
“I really tried to soak it in today and thought a lot about my grandparents. They passed before I made the NHL and they would have had a chance to watch me (Saturday). To come back here where they lived their whole lives was pretty special.”
The Jets had little time to savour their win, departing after Saturday’s contest in anticipation of a three-game road trip that begins Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks.
Before heading out of town, Jets head coach Paul Maurice had the last word on the Heritage Classic when he expressed hope that the fans came away as winners, too.
“It was great for us,” he concluded. “It was a great event. I hope the fans enjoyed it as much as we did.”
That crowd was electric. As a player it was just an awesome time. I think the city and the province really embraced it.