WINNIPEG – On an outdoor rink being used to honour history, today’s hockey heroes couldn’t help but remember their past.
“It brings a lot of memories,” said Jets forward Mark Scheifele.
“It brings out the kid in you being out on an open rink with the sun shining.”
A plus in previous days – not this weekend – The Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers both battled bright sun rays Saturday morning at Investors Group Field while practising for the Heritage Classic. Some of them wore tinted visors while others tried eye black to cut the glare.
“Once the sun gets in there, you lose the shadow of the puck,” said Oilers forward Milan Lucic. “That’s where it gets a little difficult seeing the puck.”
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Of all the players on the Jets and Oilers rosters, fourteen have previously dressed in an outdoor game. Edmonton forward Benoit Pouliot has played the most, with three. For those skating in the showcase for the first time, they’ve been told to soak it all in.
“For some, it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Oilers head coach Todd McLellan.
“They should take a moment to enjoy it with their family and friends.”
As much fun as the Heritage Classic is for players, there’s also a serious side to it. Sunday’s game will pit two of the NHL’s top ten scorers against each other. Scheifele sits with six points – two less than Oilers captain Connor McDavid.
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“Each time he takes the puck, there’s a chance of him making something happen,” said Scheifele. “That’s definetely something we have to be aware of as a team.”
Especially since there’s still something on the line.
“People forget it’s still an NHL game,” said McDavid. “There’s still two points up for grabs. It’s a big two points for our team.”
It’s an incentive that should make Sunday’s game a true classic.
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