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Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Opinion: Perfetti perfection distils the wonder of Winnipeg: A love letter to a city that is often underestimated
Opinion The fear of tumbling down rows of seats from the 300-level of the Canada Life Centre was never more real than the night of the Manitoba Miracle. A moment of genuine Winnipeg history, as forward Cole Perfetti flicked the puck in just under the crossbar with seconds left in the first-ever Game 7 on home ice for the Jets 2.0. The jumping — that frenzied celebratory bedlam — posed a real threat to the safety of all of us, stabilized only by the hugs from friends and strangers in the vicinity. And, perhaps, by the sticky beer that had been tossed in the air only to end up coating the floor. I've never screamed so loud in my life, to the point of feeling completely dizzy. It was sports at its absolute best, but also a moment, upon reflection, indicative of the uniquely Winnipeg lived experience. Amid that opening-round series against the St. Louis Blues and the subsequent clash with the Dallas Stars, despite the Jets finishing the regular season as the NHL's top team and regardless of fans' placards declaring 'We Believe,' a nagging doubt of going all the way persisted. That a city like ours could not possibly achieve such a feat. It felt as if it tapped into the core belief Winnipeggers seem to have, that we are somehow less than — not just in sports, but in many other arenas. Despite heroics by Cole Perfetti (91) and signs touting resolute belief in the Jets' playoff crusade, there was always niggling doubt the city didn't warrant this level of fame. (Fred Greenslade / The Canadian Press files) My parents said it and I know I have too, that you must be from this city in order to love it. A belief that we should reach out and name for the lie it is. Winnipeg is a fabulous city, built on a community that is unlike any I've ever seen. Is it a perfect place? Of course not. But it is a place where you find people who care about each other and get back up after our failures and try to do better. Some readers might recognize my name from past issues of the Free Press. Having been both a regular contributor to this newspaper for years from the streets of the Exchange District and the West End, and a less-frequent contributor when I moved abroad to cover Russia's war in Ukraine, somewhere along the way I set up a base camp in London, England. My most recent return forced an appreciation, perhaps for the first time from an outsider's perspective, of just how special Winnipeg is. And I'm learning the hard way that sometimes, it takes leaving to appreciate the things that matter the most. This spring I came home for a pair of weddings, taking several weeks off work to show my British partner the city that still remains 'home' no matter how long I'm away. We arrived to an overwhelming patina of brown, a city still shaking off the grungy remnants of a long winter. We arrived before the street cleaners emerged, before the lilacs bloomed, before the Beer Can opened its gate. Vapour rises from buildings downtown on a cold morning. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files) I apologized to my partner Alex for bringing him here at the worst possible time of year because, I figured, even in the thick of winter when it's -30 C, we could have gone skating down the river or attended Festival du Voyageur. If it was summer, I countered, there would have been an onslaught of festivals from Folklorama to the Fringe, the beer gardens would have all been in top form, and nearby beaches would have called our names. As I ran through the list of my favourite things to do in Winnipeg, none of them would suit in April and early May. And yet, this city still managed to enamour him, and me, with the wonder that is Winnipeg. Playoffs were an obvious boon, stoking a not-often-seen unbridled enthusiasm for the city. And hockey was a new and entertaining sport for a Brit used to the comparative crawling-pace of soccer. (Football, sorry London). But we also watched Free Press columnist Jen Zoratti try standup comedy for the first time as one of the featured performers in the Winnipeg Comedy Festival's pro-am event. Nearly three hours of non-stop laughter, only 20 per cent of which I had to 'subtitle' for the foreigner, as the humour turned self-deprecating for the city I now defend. We spent an hour watching butterflies at The Leaf, and many more walking around The Forks and Garbage Hill, and Kilcona Park, too. I introduced him to the joy of singing with beats up and the car windows down, a simple pleasure I've long taken for granted. But he doesn't even have a driver's licence. In London, why would you? Smokies lit up the grill for catch-ups with some of the best friends the world has to offer. We ate our way through the finest restaurants in town and settled down with family for Alex's first experience of s'mores around a backyard fire. (Before the fire ban took effect — safety first.) I didn't offer him a rose-coloured view. I took him to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and talked about the struggles we face with our colonial legacies. We walked past homeless encampments and he saw the North End, too. An imperfect place, with so much work to be done. But what city isn't? On the grounds of the legislature on a sunny afternoon, a family from Hamilton told us how much fun they were having visiting Winnipeg for the first time. And it surprised me, I'm embarrassed to say — despite the fact I was having a blast showing off same city. But that's just because I'm from here, right? Evening fun on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature. (Mike Sudoma / Free Press files) Through the years I've left for different parts of Canada, only to return time and time again, drawn back to this place. Not out of necessity, but out of a deep and enduring love that only finds new facets the more of the world I see, the more I learn about the quirks of other cities not only across Canada, but around the world. I was reading the other day an interview with Perfetti about the Manitoba Miracle. He said he couldn't remember the moment surrounding his buzzer-beating goal, and that he blacked out from the excitement amid the roar of the crowd. I just want to say the rest of us will remember it forever. A moment of absolute perfection that embodied just one part of what makes me love this city so much. Now, I wake in London to my partner relaying NHL playoff scores and highlights from games played in the wee hours of the morning, at least in our time zone. Winnipeg has clearly left an impression. And it hardly matters that the Jets couldn't top the Stars. Or that the leaves weren't out to greet us. It is a place and community that always punches above its weight. I am fortunate to have so much love in my life that I can claim to have two homes. But it feels so bittersweet leaving, saying goodbye when the time is never long enough.
Winnipeg Free Press
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Put ourselves in a spot to be successful again'
Adam Lowry isn't planning on going anywhere. The Winnipeg Jets captain will be entering the final year of his contract next season but isn't worried about what that means for his future. Nor is the organization, it should be noted. 'That's kind of how I picture myself. As a Winnipeg Jet for life,' the 32-year-old said Wednesday. Matt Slocum / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry enters the final year of his contract next season, but pictures himself 'as a Winnipeg Jet for life.' 'I love the city, love playing in front of these fans and I think that's something that hopefully we can take steps towards getting that out of the way this summer. There's obviously a few more important pieces that will probably get done before. But I don't see that being an issue. As long as they want to bring me back, I'm more than happy to come back.' Lowry, who scored a career-high 16 goals during the regular season and then added four more in the playoffs, would be eligible to sign an extension as of July 1. It sounds like general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is already starting to draw up the paperwork. 'I think the world of Lows. He is Winnipeg. He is what it embodies,' said Cheveldayoff. Lowry, the second draft pick of the 2.0 Jets after Mark Scheifele, will make US$3.25 million for 2025-26. While the wound of a second-round playoff exit is still fresh, he believes even brighter days are on the horizon. 'There's a lot of optimism that with another good summer, guys really pushing to get better to work on their game and to find ways to improve, that we can come back next year and put ourselves in a spot to be successful again,' said Lowry. 'Put ourselves in a spot to go on another playoff run and hopefully this one ends in late June instead of late May.' Nikolaj Ehlers will ultimately make the decision that is best for him. But the pending unrestricted free agent forward is likely going to have several Winnipeg teammates in his ears over the coming weeks trying to convince him to re-sign with the Jets. 'Being Nikky's friend, playing with him for so long, all you want to do is support him. Unrestricted free agency, it's something that you have to wait for, and he's earned that right,' said Lowry. 'I think I'd echo the statement of everyone in this room, that we'd love to see Nikky back. He's a huge part of our team. He's a game-breaker, he's great in this room. I would say I'm like the rest of you. We're all waiting, holding our breath, hoping that we can get something done.' Cole Perfetti, a frequent linemate of Ehlers, hopes he hasn't seen the last of his wingman. 'Obviously, we all want him back. It's out of our control. He's a heck of a player, heck of a person,' he said. Perfetti checked off plenty of boxes this year including staying healthy for all 82 regular-season games, suiting up for 13 post-season contests and establishing new career offensive highs. He also scored the goal now referred to as the 'Manitoba Miracle' in Game 7 of the first-round series against the St. Louis Blues — something he never gets tired of being reminded about even by complete strangers. 'Talking to neighbours and some people at the grocery store, people that were at the game saying it was the greatest moment of their life. To be able to hear that and be a part of that, it's special,' said Perfetti. 'You see how much this team means to this community and to this city. Winnipeg bleeds hockey and bleeds the Jets. We're so lucky that we have fans like that, that are so passionate and so supportive of us. I've never heard a building that loud. It was the craziest thing. I wish I would have remembered it a little better. I kind of blacked out during that whole thing.' Long-term or short-term? Gabe Vilardi says he hasn't put much thought yet into what his next contract will look like. The 25-year-old, who set new career highs this year for games played, goals, assists and points, said he won't sweat the details as he spends the summer bouncing between his girlfriend's home in California and his in Ontario. 'I'm hoping that it goes smoothly, but it's not really my thing. That's what my agent's for, and they'll get it done — I'm not too worried about that,' he said. Vilardi, who missed the last 11 games of the regular season and the first five games of the playoffs with an upper-body injury, said not winning the Stanley Cup this year feels like a 'letdown.' 'The past few days have been really hard. Just looking back, I thought we had as good a chance as anybody to win the Cup,' he said. Matt Slocum / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti, who will go down in Jets lore for his 'Manitoba Miracle' goal, hopes Nikolaj Ehlers, who assisted the Game 7 equalizer, re-signs with the team. 'Last year we just kind of got steamrolled by Colorado and it wasn't really as tight. I think this year, every game, I'm not sure what the eye test says, I'm not sure what the analytics say that you guys obviously see, but being out there I felt like different bounces and we could (still be) playing.' The Jets are hoping patience may finally pay off when it comes to prospect Dmitry Rashevsky. The 24-year-old Russian forward, picked in the fifth round of the 2021 draft, is at the end of his contract with Moscow Dynamo of the KHL. Cheveldayoff and assistant general manager Larry Simmons recently had a Zoom call with him and his agent in an attempt to bring him to North America. 'He's got some decisions to make. Obviously, we think he'd be a perfect fit in our organization here but, again, there's lots of different factors that go into their decisions. We're still hopeful,' said Cheveldayoff. Rashevsky has put up 156 points (81G and 75A) over the past four seasons. Elias Salomonsson is knocking at the door of NHL work. Both Cheveldayoff and head coach Scott Arniel had plenty of praise for the 20-year-old Swedish defenceman, who is coming off his first pro season with the Manitoba Moose and had 27 points (5G, 22A) in 53 AHL games. 'He had an exceptional year and not surprisingly. We've been talking about him for several years in different settings like this, we feel like we have a really good one there,' said Cheveldayoff. Arniel went so far as to compare him to Dylan Samberg — a sentiment he admits he's shared with Salomonsson during a recent meeting. 'We're excited. If he has a really good summer, he's someone that could force us to make some big decisions,' said Cheveldayoff. 'You're fortunate as an organization when you have the ability to let the players show you that they're ready as opposed to you having to put them in a situation and hope that they're ready. We talk about with players, 'We want you here for a long time. Not just a quick minute. We want you to be a longtime pro.'' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Jets co-owner Mark Chipman has chartered a plane that is taking multiple members of the Jets to Kitchener on Thursday so they can attend the funeral of Mark Scheifele's father, Brad, who passed away last Saturday hours before the team faced the Dallas Stars. 'For Chipper to charter a plane to bring most of the guys and staff out, it means a lot to us as players. It certainly will be an emotional time,' said Lowry. 'To be there to support out friend, our teammate and his whole family, it means a lot to us. Brad was one of a kind, an unbelievable person, and we're really glad we can all be there to support the whole family.' X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg Mike McIntyreReporter Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike. Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘We need to win'
Will it take a three-game winning streak or a series of three one-game winning streaks to keep the season alive? No matter how you slice it, psychologically or otherwise, the Winnipeg Jets have reached the fork in the road where the room for error has transformed from slim to none. By dropping the 3-1 decision to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night, the Jets will face elimination for the second time in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. Gareth Patterson / The Associated Press Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel, back right, yells at his players on the ice in the third period of Game 4 of their second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Dallas, Tuesday. By now, everyone knows how Game 7 against the St. Louis Blues turned out – thanks in part to the Manitoba Miracle that literally and figuratively brought a province to its feet, first in disbelief after a pair of six-on-five goals with the goalie on the bench in favour of an extra attacker sent the game to a fourth period. Then, in exaltation after Jets captain Adam Lowry helped his team advance to the second round for the first time since 2021. So, it's clear the Jets can handle the pressure cooker that comes with putting your collective season on the line. The issue now is whether or not they can avoid a knockout punch on three separate occasions in order to reach the NHLs Final Four. Never mind the daunting nature of the task at hand. The Jets can't post a three-game winning streak without getting the first one and the opportunity to do so comes on Thursday at Canada Life Centre, where the Jets are 5-1 this spring – including a tidy 4-0 victory in Game 2 that left the series even. A team that has prided itself on its ability to turn the page after debriefing the night before will once again try to achieve that goal. Unlike most of the previous four road games played in the playoffs, the video session won't resemble sifting through the rubble and seeking positive reinforcement. By generating a total of 72 shot attempts on Tuesday, the Jets were able to create enough quality looks to win the hockey game. But a sparkling performance from Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, who made 31 saves, limited the Jets to a single and solitary goal. Gareth Patterson / The Associated Press Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger stops a shot from Winnipeg Jets' Gabriel Vilardi in the third period in Dallas, Tuesday. That goal came on a heads-up play at the end of a Jets' power play by Nikolaj Ehlers, who was actually looking to pass the puck to the backdoor before he caught Oettinger cheating ever so slightly. It was the only misstep of the contest for Oettinger, who has been the best goalie in this series through four games – even with Connor Hellebuyck recording a 21-save shutout in Game 2. This was a night when the much-ballyhooed Jets' offence let down its Vezina-winning goaltender, not the other way around. What is also true is that Hellebuyck gave up a goal on a snapshot from distance in the first period from Mikael Granlund that needed to be stopped. When it wasn't, it left the Jets in a precarious position of chasing the game – something that has become far too familiar for them in this series. Outside of Game 2, the Jets have been playing from behind far too often and that's a big part of the reason they've ended up on the losing side of the ledger three times through four games. The level of urgency is sure to come up for the Jets. There isn't a single player that is ready for this dream season to end, something that was apparent in the aftermath of Tuesday's loss. 'We know what the message is,' Hellebuyck told reporters when asked about what might have been said in the room by Jets head coach Scott Arniel. 'We know what the stakes are.' Arniel, himself, had a simple message when asked about the mentality required. Gareth Patterson / The Associated Press Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck cotrols the puck and as Haydn Fleury moves in to take control in the first period. 'Real simple,' he explained. 'Don't lose your last game.' That could be easier said than done, considering this edition of the Stars has yet to lose consecutive games through 11 outings in these Stanley Cup playoffs and are a highly motivated bunch after being eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference final last spring. Dallas has been knocking at the door for years and is trying to get over the top for the first time since 1999, when that Stars' championship team included Winnipeggers Mike Keane and Grant Ledyard and future Hall of Famer Eddie Belfour of Carman. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The Jets are chasing the first NHL title in franchise history and laid the groundwork for this run by putting together an outstanding regular season, one that resulted in a first Central Division crown, a Western Conference title and a Presidents' Trophy. Those experiences, coupled with some of the disappointments from the prior two playoff losses to the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche were supposed to regenerate some of that scar tissue – something Jets centre Mark Scheifele touched on prior to the start of the postseason. There's little doubt the Jets are battling and have put some of those valuable lessons to use here, but the road to the ultimate goal includes 16 victories and so far, this group has managed five. Going out with a whimper simply isn't an option for the Jets, not after all of the growth they've shown over the course of the past eight months or so. This is a team that started the season with eight consecutive victories, lost a game and then rattled off seven straight wins. The 15-1 start was the best in NHL history and essentially punched the Jets ticket to the playoffs in November. Gareth Patterson / The Associated Press Winnipeg Jets Gabriel Vilardi, Nikolaj Ehlers, Luke Schenn, Josh Morrissey and Kyle Connor celebrate after Ehlers scored against the Dallas Stars in the second period. As they managed the highs and lows of the marathon campaign, the Jets battled through adversity and pushed back all comers when it came to the division, the conference and first overall. The Jets know what they look like when they're at their very best and right now, they're very best is exactly what's going to be required to keep this season alive. 'Absolutely, you need to win four games to move on,' said Ehlers. 'They're at three, we're at one. It can't be more simple than that. We need to win. 'And I think with the crowd that we have at home, the amount of energy that they give to us every single game, (we) want to repay that by playing another few games in Winnipeg.' X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Ken WiebeReporter Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken. Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Washington Post
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
The Jets were seconds from elimination. Then, a ‘Manitoba Miracle.'
The Winnipeg Jets had never hosted a Game 7 playoff game until Sunday night's winner-take-all contest against the St. Louis Blues. It's safe to say their fans got the full Stanley Cup playoff experience in the span of about one hour. In what has been dubbed the 'Manitoba Miracle,' the Jets earned a 4-3 double-overtime win in Game 7, thanks to captain Adam Lowry's goal with 3 minutes, 50 seconds left in the second overtime.
