After a thrilling come-from-behind 5-3 victory against the St. Louis Blues in Game 1, some Winnipeg Jets fans are eager to attend their games on the road going forward, even amid ongoing tensions with the United States.
“Absolutely, we’re talking about it actively,” said Mike Pyle, CEO of Exchange Income Corporation.
“We’re pretty confident that this team may go deep in the playoffs.”
Pyle is one of thousands of Jets fans going to Game 2 where a thunderous Winnipeg Whiteout will be on display. His colleagues at Exchange Income Corporation have gone to away games for years.
Pyle was in Nashville for the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs to witness the Jets win a thrilling Game 7 against the Predators. He also travelled to St. Paul, Minnesota, to see the Jets knock out the Wild that season as well.
“Virtually everywhere we go, people treat you great,” Pyle said.
“You get the odd boo and hoot and holler, but that’s part of the thing. It’s exciting to be with your team.”
Pyle wears his custom Bobby Hull World Hockey Association jersey with pride. His corporation brought Hull in for many autograph signings over the years and loves to support the team.
“This is now my lucky playoff jersey,” Pyle said.
“It only comes out for playoff games at home. Then I’ve got the blue version of this that I wear for the road games. I’m not sure we’ll spend our travel dollars on the first series, but when they play, whether it be Dallas or Colorado in round two, especially after what happened with Colorado last year, I think we’ll probably go and try and support the boys on the road.”
The ongoing trade war with the U.S. isn’t dampening his team spirit.
“It’s unfortunate that at a political level, there’s a challenge right now, but I think most people realize that there’s no better allies than us and the U.S. in the long run,” Pyle said.
Other fans seem to feel the same way.
“100 per cent, I would absolutely go see the Jets play on the road many times,” said Jets fan Amanda Jones.
“For the Jets, I think I would to watch them beat those St. Louis Blues.”
Jones has travelled to St. Paul and Las Vegas to see the Jets on the road. Donna Bacon is visiting family here in Winnipeg this week. She would love to go if she could afford it.
“Absolutely, in a nanosecond,” Bacon said enthusiastically.
“I would see them all season long. It’s more about the dollar than the rest of it. Our dollar is kind of plummeting right now, so that’s more of what’s holding me back rather than everything else.”
Games 3 and 4 against the Blues are scheduled in St. Louis for Thursday, April 24, and Sunday, April 27.
