Jets, Oilers taking it outdoors
Former Smythe Division rivals to face off in Heritage Classic on Winnipeg football field
WINNIPEG — And now for the main course.
With most of the hype and hoopla already in the rear-view mirror, the Heritage Classic has finally arrived.
Obviously, getting an opportunity to spend some time with the alumni and those who paved the way for the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers franchises was important for both clubs, but there are two important points attached to Sunday’s outdoor game between the one-time Smythe Division rivals.
There’s sure to be a festive atmosphere at Investors Group Field when the puck drops, but this isn’t about reliving childhood memories or anything of that nature.
The Jets (2-2) are looking to build on a frantic rally from a four-goal deficit in what became a 5-4 overtime victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, while the Oilers (4-1) have delivered two impressive showings after laying an egg in a 6-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
Teams do as much as they can to treat the outdoor games the same as any other, but the style of play is often impacted by the weather conditions and the quality of the ice.
“You don’t want to be real fancy,” said Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien, who has four assists in four games this season and is logging more than 29 minutes of ice time per game. “Everything has got to be simple.”
Byfuglien is one of four members of the Jets who has appeared in an outdoor game in the NHL, having suited up for the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field in 2009 against the Detroit Red Wings.
“Nothing will ever be as good as fishing,” said Byfuglien. “There’s just so much going on. The NHL has done such a great job putting everything together. This is an opportunity you don’t get every day, to come to a beautiful stadium and play an outdoor game.
“For the most part, we’re out there to try and get the two points and that’s our main focus.”
Mathieu Perreault has appeared in two outdoor games (one with the Washington Capitals and one with the Anaheim Ducks), Blake Wheeler suited up in one with the Boston Bruins and Shawn Matthias played in a Stadium Series game for the Colorado Avalanche last season.
“We haven’t fought it, to be honest with you. I’ve talked to a number of coaches who have had outdoor game experience and they all said the same thing — it was a fantastic experience and your players will enjoy it,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “You should try to enjoy it. We talk about this, not as a theme for this weekend, but a theme for how we work. That we want to make sure there’s enough time we enjoy our lives within the game. Even when the coach is in a bad mood, the players have to find a way to find some joy in what they do.”
Maurice didn’t tip his hand as to who would get the call in goal, though it would be Connor Hellebuyck’s turn if he sticks with the rotation.
Hellebuyck didn’t get the start, but was the backup during an outdoor game at Fenway Park in 2010 when he was a member of the NCAA’s UMass-Lowell River Hawks.
“It’s a little different. There’s a different glare on the ice, a different reflection, but it’s still the same black puck and it’s coming at me just as fast, so you’ve got to make sure you’ve got your angles down and take it from there,” said Hellebuyck.