As Jets' playoff run starts, here's what you need to know about Winnipeg's whiteout parties
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While temperatures are forecast to rise over the weekend, a whiteout will be blowing through True North Square on Saturday, as the Winnipeg Jets face the St. Louis Blues in Game 1 of their first-round NHL playoffs series.
Here's what you need to know if you're heading downtown for the game tomorrow.
When does the puck drop?
Puck drop for Game 1 is at 5 p.m. CT on Saturday at the Canada Life Centre in downtown Winnipeg, with the sold-out street party near the arena starting two hours before.
Tickets for the Game 2 whiteout party, scheduled to start two hours before the 6:30 p.m. contest on Monday, are also sold out. Game 1 and Game 2 tickets for the Party in the Plaza, held in True North Square, are sold out too.
The Jets will travel to St. Louis for Game 3 and 4 to face the Blues at the Enterprise Center. Game 3 is on Thursday, with an 8:30 p.m. CT start, and Game 4 goes Sunday, April 27 at noon.
If needed, Game 5 will see the series return to Winnipeg on Wednesday, April 30, with a start time TBD.
Are any other jets coming out for the party?
As the Jets hit the ice on Saturday, jets will also be hitting the skies above Winnipeg.
Two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet fighter jets will be flying over the Canada Life Centre and the street party outside shortly after the 5 p.m. puck drop on Saturday, the Canadian Armed Forces says.
The RCAF is "proud to share in national sporting events," like the Jets' first playoff home game this year, the Forces said in a news release earlier this week.
Which roads and sidewalks will be closed?
The City of Winnipeg is closing some roads downtown early Saturday to prepare for the first whiteout party. Some roads will remain closed through the Easter weekend until Tuesday, to allow for cleanup after Monday's whiteout party.
Southbound Donald Street between Ellice and St. Mary avenues, will close at 6 a.m. on Saturday and reopen at 7 a.m. Tuesday. The city says the street won't reopen between games on Sunday.
Graham Avenue will close in both directions between Hargrave and Smith streets from 6 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday. Graham will be open Sunday, but will close again at 9 a.m. on Monday for Game 2's whiteout party, reopening at 7 a.m. on Tuesday.
Sidewalks will also close along these routes starting at noon on Saturday and will reopen early Tuesday morning, the city said.
Are there any changes to public transit?
Winnipeg Transit buses that run along Graham Avenue will be rerouted between Kennedy and Smith on Saturday starting at 6 a.m.
Service will run as usual on Sunday, but Graham buses will be rerouted again on Monday starting at 9 a.m., returning to normal service Tuesday.
If your usual stop is along that stretch of Graham, the city suggests hopping on the bus at Graham and Vaughn Street, or Graham and Fort Street.
The Winnipeg Transit Plus loading zone on Donald at Graham will be moved temporarily to eastbound Portage Avenue, next to the Radisson Hotel, the city said.
The Millennium Library Winnipeg Transit Plus loading zone is temporarily moving to the eastbound front driveway of the Winnipeg Police Service headquarters, and the City Place Winnipeg Transit Plus loading zone is moving to northbound Hargrave on the north side of St. Mary.
The Millennium Library Parkade's entrance at Donald Street will close at 6 a.m. on Saturday, and again at 9 a.m. on Monday. Regular hours start up again on Tuesday.
The downtown library will be closing early on Saturday, at 3 p.m., and again on Monday, April 21 at 4:30 p.m. It is closed on Easter Sunday.
How are local businesses preparing?
Dwight Benson, general manager at the nearby Elephant & Castle on St. Mary Avenue, said his restaurant and pub is doubling its staff Saturday, as it expects its usual volume of customers to double.
"We're very prepared this year, so we're excited," Benson told Radio-Canada in an interview Friday.
Game days are always busy at the bar, but during whiteout season, "it's an all-day party," he said.
The pub is throwing its own party to celebrate the Jets' playoff run, starting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
"The longer they go, the better for us. So hopefully we get through this first round with St. Louis — which I have no doubt on — but the longer we go, the better," said Benson.
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