AS I SEE IT COLUMN: Winnipeg Jets blow home opener in more ways than one

First the good news. After a less than stellar opening the game of the season in which the Jets were badly outplayed by the Dallas Stars for large chunks of the game but ultimately fought back hard in a 5-4 loss, the Jets have (at press time) put together wins in their following two games.

Now the disappointing news. The Jets had a magical opportunity in their home opener to capitalize on the palpable excitement in the building to welcome Jonathan Toews to his first ever game as a Winnipeg Jet.

With two banners unveiled and the President’s Trophy and Vezina trophy on display in the concourse, Jets fans were primed to welcome Jonathan home.

In the introduction of the individual players before the start of the game, the crowd’s roar when Toews was being introduced was so loud, it completely drowned out the public address announcer’s attempt to read a short bio.

Connor Hellebuyck and captain Adam Lowry also received boisterous cheers, but they’ve played with the team for years. This was Toews’ first opportunity to play in front of family and friends as part of the home team, the first time hockey fans had a chance to show him how excited we are that he is playing in Manitoba.

I thought for sure Toews would start the game. It seemed like a no-brainer. Yes, he is the “second line” centre but this was such a special case, one would have thought the rules could have been – nay, should have been broken because of the unique nature of Toews coming to play in his home town. Sadly, his line didn’t start the game.

Mark Scheifele has 40 other home games where his line can start the game.

There will never again be an opportunity to welcome Jonathan to Winnipeg. The fans in the building were so primed to roar their approval, if Toews’ line started the game, the crowd noise would have been as loud as any ever heard in the Jets’ barn. Maybe the loudest ever, and that includes the Jets first game back in Manitoba after returning from the Arizona desert 15 years ago and the return of the beloved Teemu Selanne.

That’s how amped fans were to show their appreciation to Jonathan.

If Toews’ line starts that game, that clip of Jonathan skating in a tight circle before taking the opening face-off, would have led every sportscast in North America and likely gone viral on social media.

What’s surprising is that the Jets as an organization are typically really, really good at tapping into emotions and capturing a special moment. They do pageantry and emotion and heart as good as any team in the league.

But they blew it with Jonathan’s first game. That magical moment is forever gone. What a pity.

Sport is a paradox. Pro teams play a lot of games but rarely do they have chance to capture lightning in a bottle, when a beautiful moment is handed to them on a silver platter.

Coaches often mix up their starting lineup. Sometimes they start their checking line. Sometimes they start their energy line.

Here was a golden, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to welcome Toews, the winningest hockey player Canada has ever produced – probably the winningest player from any country on earth – to Winnipeg.

Wayne Gretzky has four Stanley Cups, zero Olympic gold medals and zero World Junior gold medals. Mario Lemieux has two Stanley Cups, one Olympic gold and zero World Junior golds. Steve Yzerman has three Stanley Cups, one Olympic gold and no World Juniors.

Jonathan Toews stands alone, certainly in Canada but probably in the entire hockey world, for what he has accomplished on the ice, three Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals, two World Junior golds and one World Championship. No one is even close to his achievements.

Too bad Jets fans couldn’t give him the raucous opening face-off ovation he so richly deserves.