Race to the finish

There are no playoff tickets posted on the Winnipeg Jets official ticket exchange site — yet.
But the angst level over the Jets persistent on-ice struggles is high in the Manitoba capital, leading us to wonder if season-ticket holders who opted in on playoff tickets might already be ready to bail. The Jets aren’t exactly soaring their way into the NHL post-season; in fact, it’s more like landing on a wing and a prayer with both engines failing.
Winnipeg has just one victory in its past five games and is 12-14-2 since Feb. 2. Batting near .500 is other worldly if you’re a centre-fielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, but it doesn’t cut it today’s NHL, not when you’re trying to generate momentum down the stretch run of the regular season and with the playoffs looming.
The Jets were gracious hosts last week, handing over points to the Dallas Stars, New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens. They slipped out of town and eked out an overtime win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday but rolled over and played dead against the Minnesota Wild 24 hours later.
That lethargic effort prompted a 20-minute, closed-door team meeting where one can only hope captain Blake Wheeler set off a Seinfeldian Festivus mood with some airing of grievances. And if, in fact, he took a Frank Costanza tone (“I got a lotta problems with you people, and now you’re going to hear about it”) with his teammates, let’s hope there was a mirror nearby, ‘cuz the captain hasn’t been very good, either.
It’s going to be a race to Saturday’s regular-season finish line for first, second and third in the Central, and right now the Jets are seriously limping down the stretch.
OK, enough dreary news for local hockey fans. Let’s have some fun.
Pre-game warmup
There’s nothing that gets us pumped for a hockey game like a rousing rendition of the national anthems. And Dump (Mike) got to experience perhaps the best in the business earlier this week in his first trip to the United Center in Chicago.
Jim Cornelison brings the house down every game.
And on the subject of anthems, how about the incredible Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus? The Jets sport a perfect 5-0-0 record when Hoosli in the house, outscoring opponents an incredible 30-11.
��
Check out this video from the stands at @bellmtsplace of @Hoosli singing the national anthems at the @NHLJets game against the @PredsNHL on Saturday, March 23! https://t.co/3VW2ycj9dr #gojetsgo #hoosli #hoosli50
— Hoosli (@Hoosli) March 27, 2019
“Right from the national anthems there was a buzz” – Glad we could help, Coach! #GoJetsGo https://t.co/saFs0l79LM
— Hoosli (@Hoosli) March 24, 2019
Perhaps a return engagement or two during the playoffs is just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Jets?
This is nothing short of brilliant. A Buffalo Sabres fan is getting frustrated not only with his team’s lack of success, but by the fact many seem to put the blame on star Jack Eichel.
So he did what most normal, rational fans would do— he hired an opera singer for $20 to make his point on social media.
Wait, what??!!
It appears as though a lot of #Sabres fans don’t seem to be getting the message about Jack Eichel not being the problem. So, to help get the point across, I paid an opera singer $20 on Fiverr to sing it to them. pic.twitter.com/9stzsGwKEf
— �������� ⎈ (@sharpndpensel) April 3, 2019
First period
Have some tissue nearby for this one, folks.
Jack, 7, from Long Island has been through a lot in his young life. He’s already survived three open-heart surgeries and has proven doctors wrong by playing hockey – despite the face he was born with only half a heart.
Last weekend, Jack sent out a video asking New York Islanders goalie Robin Lehner if he’d give him one of his sticks.
After being born with literally only 1/2 of a heart & having 3 open heart surgeries all before the age of 2, Jack is playing hockey, something doctors said he wouldn’t do! @RobinLehner can you help him complete his checklist at Monday’s game? @NYIslanders pic.twitter.com/il1NPav8lX
— Lauren Kiefer-Foley (@lkieferfoley) March 31, 2019
On Monday night, Lehner did more than just toss the kid Jack his twig after a tough 2-1 loss to the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs, he met with him and offered the little fan a mighty hug.
Tough loss.. But this was a huge win. Your a strong kid and I wish you the best! Thanks Jack.❤️�� pic.twitter.com/aSWkSDIEeg
— Robin Lehner (@RobinLehner) April 2, 2019
The small gesture speaks volumes about the character of the 27-year-old netminder, who has endured his own struggles. Lehner admitted last fall he was addicted to alcohol, sleeping pills and had suicidal thoughts leading up to his mysterious disappearance late in the 2017-18 season when he was with the Buffalo Sabres.
He spent months coping with a substance abuse problem and finally received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Lehner signed a one-year deal with the Islanders while continuing on his path to sobriety. His season has been sensational. He’s 24-13-5 with a 2.18 goals-against average and .928 save percentage.
Most believe he’s the odds-on favourite to win the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually by the Professional Hockey Writers Association to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.
They may have lost the game and been eliminated from the playoffs, but the Chicago Blackhawks did score big in the trolling department on Monday night with the Jets in town.
During one of the breaks in play, they showed a video of Scott Foster highlights, which consists entirely of the saves he made coming on in emergency relief last season in a victory over Winnipeg.
On this day last year, accountant Scott Foster shocked the hockey world as an emergency backup goalie for the @NHLBlackhawks! pic.twitter.com/fzcdjjk6E1
— NHL (@NHL) March 29, 2019
The accountant by day was actually in the house for the latest Jets-Hawks clash, and got a rousing ovation when the camera cut to him after his video was done.
Had a blast hanging w/ Scott Foster, 1yr after viral fame
“At one point I called it ‘The Incident’ I had to ask myself was I stripping my own fun out of it? Just bc you take advantage of an opportunity doesn’t mean you have to feel guilty for enjoying it” https://t.co/z3SaYqnNHm
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) April 3, 2019
Second period
We told you about that young Islanders fan who had a night to remember. Well, here’s an old Islanders supporter who had a night he problems wishes he could forget.
He’s become a bit of a Twitter sensation for childish behaviour.
The guy is clearly still reeling over the fact John Tavares left the New York as a free agent and signed a seven-year, US$77-million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer.
“You wouldn’t say it to his face”
Not true for this #Islanders fan.
Will this be in a new #DearJohn video? Or will there be another #ThankYouTavares day in Toronto tomorrow? ��
Captions: i/TSNofficial
Video: t/KeithLavitt pic.twitter.com/MEWiUn0JMT— hockeyfights (@hockeyfights) April 2, 2019
Get over it, bud.
Speaking of fans, how about this guy who got himself all ready for what we can only imagine was his dream selfie with Calgary coach Bill Peters side-by-side with him.
Only the Flames bench boss was having none of it as he rather hilariously just kept on walking, leaving this guy in his dust.
Bill… YOU’RE SAVAGE. pic.twitter.com/oW3Aayd23V
— NHL (@NHL) April 1, 2019
The New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers are both having miserable seasons, far out of the playoff race and not giving fans in the Big Apple area much to cheer about.
So when the two sad-sack clubs met face-to-face the other day, fans found a creative way to “cheer” them both on.
With a collective chant that has to be heard to be believed.
Third period
You may recall the play earlier this year where a puck was fired into the Toronto Maple Leafs bench and John Tavares just sat there, not even flinching.
A puck coming towards the bench and just look at how John Tavares has no fear. Amazing! #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/ejZjFL30n8
— Justin Merrlles (@J_Merrlles) February 17, 2019
Well, it turns out Tavares has some company in town. Just check out this Toronto Blue Jays fan who doesn’t even blink as a foul ball is ripped in her direction.
When you’ve been sitting behind home plate at Jays games for years and aren’t shook by foul balls. pic.twitter.com/3OHxDFvpiv
— Sid Seixeiro (@Sid_Seixeiro) March 30, 2019
She’s clearly seen some things in her lifetime.
Speaking of the Leafs, they’ve run into a bit of trouble lately and are facing a huge hurdle in having to take on the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs.
So perhaps they were just taking out some frustrations at practice the other day on this poor, helpless mannequin. Or imagining he was Brad Marchand.
What a dummy!
Overtime
Hockey players continue to show their soft sides, even a guy like Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson who has a difficult time staying on the right side of the NHL law.
A youngster in Carolina is fighting a battle that’s so much bigger than a hockey game but didn’t want to miss seeing her favourite squad perform the other day.
Young @Capitals fan changes chemotherapy appointment to see the Caps play in Carolina and gets gifts from Jakub Vrana and Tom Wilson �� VIDEO @ https://t.co/85lCfIvrXm pic.twitter.com/lQvCJpjFQa
— BarDown (@BarDown) March 29, 2019
Good on Wilson and his teammates, Jakub Vrana, for passing their sticks over the boards, making a memory to last what all of us hope is a long, long lifetime.
While hockey stars were making kids smile, Gritty couldn’t get a grin from this tyke.
In fact, the beastly Flyers mascot scared the bejeezus out of the little boy.
1, 2, @GrittyNHL‘s comin’ for you. pic.twitter.com/AiU6FT858H
— NHL (@NHL) March 31, 2019
Seriously, does anyone actually like this orange freak?
Not this stick-swinging kid, little Ron Hextall wannabe, obviously.
Looking for you to step in here, @NHLPlayerSafety. @AAAMidAtlantic | #TORvsPHI pic.twitter.com/Vcmox4KiJR
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 28, 2019
Shootout
You know what really grinds our gears? Glass bangers!
It’s become an epidemic in the sport, as fans uses the palm of their hands to signal their displeasure with whatever is playing out in front of them.
Seriously, folks. Stop it.
We also got a reminder this week that it can also be dangerous, especially if you have a ring on your finger.
Farewell to the Storm Surge, which went out with a bang last weekend as the Carolina Hurricanes did some fishing in the dark.
Reeling in the W! pic.twitter.com/N5fyuLmBlg
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) March 25, 2019
They got us hook, line and sinker and reeled in plenty of new fans this season.
This is one celebration we hope they don’t throw back!
Got a suggestion for a future edition of Dump & Chase? Let us know about it.
mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca and jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca
And: follow Dump & Chase on Twitter.
Mike is @mikemcintyrewpg, while Jason can be found @WFPJasonBell
Your weekly trip around the world of hockey.
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