WINNIPEG, Manitoba – The fans came, they cheered and they screamed “Go Jets Go” as a 15-year separation between Winnipeg and NHL hockey ended Tuesday night as the Jets made their return with a 6-1 win.
It was just an exhibition game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and a split-squad one at that. Columbus won the other matchup in Ohio 5-1.
But the smallest arena in the league was packed with 15,004 jersey-wearing, ecstatic fans who screamed their lungs out at the MTS Centre.
They had lots to cheer. The first fight, which included big Winnipeg defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, erupted less than a minute in and Winnipeg’s first goal was scored by Paul Postma within the first eight minutes.
“Between Byfuglien and the fans it was like a Stanley Cup final,” coach Claude Noel said after the game.
Jets top draft pick Mark Scheifele, an 18-year-old with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League, scored twice and had two assists.
“He looked like the best player on the ice,” Noel said.
“He looked like a guy that was a veteran guy, he played big smart clever. … He’s doing the things he needs to do to stay, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
Scheifele was awed
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