42 replies to this topic

[Falconsfan567™]

Man I still root for this team. I never get to see them on tv because I don't get NHL Network or NBC Sports Network but I'm still rooting for this team. I got attached to this group of players and I can't get it out of my system. They are right on the edge of making the playoffs at 29-26-7. I finally figured out how to listen to the games online.

The Jets lead the Lightning 3-0 in the 2nd period. The Maple Leafs just lost and if the Jets lead hold up it will be their 4th win in their last 5 games and they will jump over Toronto into 8th place in the Eastern Conference.

[Falconsfan567™]

Jets beat the Lightning 4-3. With Florida losing tonight the Jets up all the way to 1st place in the Southeast division. Yes they are still in the Southeast division, at least for this season. And since the NHL puts the 3 division leaders at 1, 2, 3 in the conference the Jets are now 3rd in the Eastern Conference. It's the first time this season the Jets have led the Southeast division. Go Jets!

[muskokas finest ©]

A little fervent fan support goes a long way.

[Falconsfan567™]

muskokas finest, on 26 February 2012 - 11:32 AM, said:

A little fervent fan support goes a long way.

Can you really blame the Atlanta fans? Very rarely we're the Thrashers competitive. And the last couple of years the Thrashers were in good position to make the playoffs at the ASG break only to fall flat on their face afterwards and miss the playoffs. That hasn't happened this year.

But the funny thing is that this arena in Winnipeg that the team now plays in barely sits over 15,000. That's roughly the same number as the Thrashers average attendance.

But I don't think the fan support is the reason the team is playing better this year. I honestly think they would have close to the same record if they we're still in Atlanta and that's because of the players they have. They've drafted well the last 3 or 4 years and have made some very good trades and the product is showing on the ice.

[Billy Pilgrim]

falconsfan567, on 26 February 2012 - 11:59 AM, said:

Can you really blame the Atlanta fans? Very rarely we're the Thrashers competitive. And the last couple of years the Thrashers were in good position to make the playoffs at the ASG break only to fall flat on their face afterwards and miss the playoffs. That hasn't happened this year.

But the funny thing is that this arena in Winnipeg that the team now plays in barely sits over 15,000. That's roughly the same number as the Thrashers average attendance.

But I don't think the fan support is the reason the team is playing better this year. I honestly think they would have close to the same record if they we're still in Atlanta and that's because of the players they have. They've drafted well the last 3 or 4 years and have made some very good trades and the product is showing on the ice.

You forgot the most important factor:

It's hockey.

[Falconsfan567™]

Billy Pilgrim, on 26 February 2012 - 09:12 PM, said:

You forgot the most important factor:

It's hockey.

I don't buy that arguement one bit. Other southern teams [in football rich states] like the Hurricanes and Predators have proven to have terrific fan support because they routinely put a good product on the ice.

[Skareffect]

I haven't watched NHL hockey since the league screwed us.

[Falconsfan567™]

Skar, on 26 February 2012 - 10:48 PM, said:

I haven't watched NHL hockey since the league screwed us.

I remember many people said the same thing back in 1994 after the WS got canceled but eventually most, if not all, came back. And then there are others that want to watch [like myself] that haven't had many chances to watch because of ESPN not showing games anymore.

[muskokas finest ©]

falconsfan567, on 26 February 2012 - 11:59 AM, said:

Can you really blame the Atlanta fans? Very rarely we're the Thrashers competitive. And the last couple of years the Thrashers were in good position to make the playoffs at the ASG break only to fall flat on their face afterwards and miss the playoffs. That hasn't happened this year.

But the funny thing is that this arena in Winnipeg that the team now plays in barely sits over 15,000. That's roughly the same number as the Thrashers average attendance.

But I don't think the fan support is the reason the team is playing better this year. I honestly think they would have close to the same record if they we're still in Atlanta and that's because of the players they have. They've drafted well the last 3 or 4 years and have made some very good trades and the product is showing on the ice.

It's not about how many bodies.  The city of Winnipeg (Winterpeg) feels whole again with the return of the Jets.  The hockey team owns that city.  Players get swept up in the excitement.

[Skareffect]

falconsfan567, on 26 February 2012 - 11:07 PM, said:

I remember many people said the same thing back in 1994 after the WS got canceled but eventually most, if not all, came back. And then there are others that want to watch [like myself] that haven't had many chances to watch because of ESPN not showing games anymore.

That's different then having a team taken from us, at least we still have a mlb team after all that BS in the MLB. NHL rather save phoenix then Atlanta.

[Falconsfan567™]

Skar, on 27 February 2012 - 12:14 PM, said:

That's different then having a team taken from us, at least we still have a mlb team after all that BS in the MLB. NHL rather save phoenix then Atlanta.

Well maybe it would have been different had we never lost the Flames in 1980. But they used that to make it even easier to take away the Thrashers. It sucks. I was as pissed as anyone. But I can't do nothing about it and no amount of crying will ever change that.

[Falconsfan567™]

Man just think if the Thrashers had had fan support like this!

http://video.nhl.com...d=sb:highlights

[muskokas finest ©]

falconsfan567, on 02 March 2012 - 12:20 AM, said:

Man just think if the Thrashers had had fan support like this!

Makes you wonder how Winnipeg lost their team to begin with.  When you win 7-0, even icing calls get cheered.

[ATLBrave]

Because they couldn't afford to keep the team in that small of a market? I wouldnt be surprised if ten years from now they weren't in Winnipeg anymore.

[Falconsfan567™]

ATLBrave, on 02 March 2012 - 02:32 PM, said:

Because they couldn't afford to keep the team in that small of a market? I wouldnt be surprised if ten years from now they weren't in Winnipeg anymore.

You might be right.

[muskokas finest ©]

ATLBrave, on 02 March 2012 - 02:32 PM, said:

Because they couldn't afford to keep the team in that small of a market? I wouldnt be surprised if ten years from now they weren't in Winnipeg anymore.

New arena has improved the economics for the Jets.  I think the NHL now realizes they will never be the 4th major sport.  Bettman was just too big for his britches.  Wouldn't surprise me a bit to see Quebec City get their team back as well.

[Falconsfan567™]

muskokas finest, on 02 March 2012 - 03:05 PM, said:

New arena has improved the economics for the Jets.  I think the NHL now realizes they will never be the 4th major sport.  Bettman was just too big for his britches.  Wouldn't surprise me a bit to see Quebec City get their team back as well.

Bettman is an idiot! He makes Bud Selig look like a genius!

[ATLBrave]

muskokas finest, on 02 March 2012 - 03:05 PM, said:

New arena has improved the economics for the Jets.  I think the NHL now realizes they will never be the 4th major sport.  Bettman was just too big for his britches.  Wouldn't surprise me a bit to see Quebec City get their team back as well.

Improved the economics? You're kidding, right? Their arena now is smaller than what was originally their home ice, and is still the smallest in the league. Not to mention that wasn't their only problem, which had to do with paying salaries in USD and collecting revenue in CAD. Their tremendous fan support didn't help them to keep the old team, and I have a hard time believing it will for any sustained amount of time. Like I said, wouldn't be surprised in the least bit if they were not in Winnipeg come 2025.

[muskokas finest ©]

ATLBrave, on 02 March 2012 - 04:18 PM, said:

Improved the economics? You're kidding, right? Their arena now is smaller than what was originally their home ice, and is still the smallest in the league. Not to mention that wasn't their only problem, which had to do with paying salaries in USD and collecting revenue in CAD. Their tremendous fan support didn't help them to keep the old team, and I have a hard time believing it will for any sustained amount of time. Like I said, wouldn't be surprised in the least bit if they were not in Winnipeg come 2025.

Economics, not in seating capacity, but in the ability to facilitate much more of a corporate presence.  The city doesn't offer much in that area, but at least now they can attract some business that way.  The new arena is also a little closer to downtown, not a big deal in Atlanta, but in a climate where your car's engine block can freeze during the course of a game, it has an impact.  Even the rubber in an automobiles tires can freeze to resting shape during winter in Winnipeg.

[Falconsfan567™]

All NHL teams have between 16-19 games left on their schedules. Now that's a lot of time for anything to happen but as the playoffs stand right now the Winnipeg Jets currently sit in the 8th and final spot in the Eastern Conference. Right now the Southeast division is completely up for grabs and a 4-team race. Florida is 1st with 72 points, Winnipeg 2nd with 70 points, Washington 3rd with 69 points and Tampa Bay 4th with 68 points. And Carolina isn't completely out of it yet either with 62 points. The funny thing about the Southeast division is all 5 teams have a negative goals differential with the Jets being at -13 which is far better than the -23 posted by Florida.