THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Heritage Classic does Sask. proud
It’s hard to say whether Saskatchewan’s first NHL outdoor game will also be the last. If that proves to be the case, Saturday’s Heritage Classic between the Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames in Regina 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 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.
“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.
“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.”
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.
“I hope the fans enjoyed it as much as we did.”