Post by NHLJets2point0 on Jul 23, 2012 1:56:23 GMT -5
When was it, where was it, who played, and the final score.
My first NHL Jets game was December 3 1980 here in Winnipeg versus the NY Rangers. (Loss, 4-3) I was 12 years old and was there with my brother. This was during the famous 32 game winless streak. Looking back I guess that's why I was able to get a ticket. I had been to many WHA games, including an Indianapolis game where my brother pointed at some kid who was playing as an underage junior, wearing an audacious 99 on his back. (UPDATE: I looked that one up and it was one of 2 games in November 1978. The Indianapolis racers folded weeks later.)
I am sure I was at that game because I am sure we lost to the rangers and I'm sure Phil Esposito was there. Espo only played during the first 2 years of the Jets 1.0 history and I ruled out the other meetings because I know we lost the night I was there and that our team was a laughingstock.
Highlight of the night: During the second intermission, we snuck down to choice seats 3rd or 4th row, close to the home bench (in those days the teams were on opposite sides). In the third period, there was a face-off at centre ice and a slight delay from the officials so it was a quiet moment. sweedishgoon shouted out at Phil Esposito who was leaning in to take the face off "Hey, Esposito, you suck!" and god as my witness he looked up and said "Yeah? Well, we'll see you in the playoffs!"
Pretty awesome.
My first NHL Jets game was December 3 1980 here in Winnipeg versus the NY Rangers. (Loss, 4-3) I was 12 years old and was there with my brother. This was during the famous 32 game winless streak. Looking back I guess that's why I was able to get a ticket. I had been to many WHA games, including an Indianapolis game where my brother pointed at some kid who was playing as an underage junior, wearing an audacious 99 on his back. (UPDATE: I looked that one up and it was one of 2 games in November 1978. The Indianapolis racers folded weeks later.)
I am sure I was at that game because I am sure we lost to the rangers and I'm sure Phil Esposito was there. Espo only played during the first 2 years of the Jets 1.0 history and I ruled out the other meetings because I know we lost the night I was there and that our team was a laughingstock.
Highlight of the night: During the second intermission, we snuck down to choice seats 3rd or 4th row, close to the home bench (in those days the teams were on opposite sides). In the third period, there was a face-off at centre ice and a slight delay from the officials so it was a quiet moment. sweedishgoon shouted out at Phil Esposito who was leaning in to take the face off "Hey, Esposito, you suck!" and god as my witness he looked up and said "Yeah? Well, we'll see you in the playoffs!"
Pretty awesome.
