By Judy Owen
The Canadian Press
Posted October 22, 2016 7:02 pm EST
2 min read
This article is more than 7 years old and some information may not be up to date.
WINNIPEG – Teemu Selanne had cheers rain down on him from Winnipeg Jets fans on Saturday.
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The Finnish Flash repaid them by scoring twice, including the winner with four seconds left, and adding three assists as the Jets defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 in the 2016 Heritage Classic alumni game at Investors Group Field.
READ MORE: 2016 Heritage Classic brings back memories of childhood outdoor hockey
Selanne, who’s been retired for two seasons, claimed the victory when he beat goalie Curtis Joseph between the pads on a penalty shot.
Edmonton was leading 5-4 early in the third on a goal by B.J. MacDonald when Kris King scored his second of the game to tie it up in front of 31,317 fans.
Selanne had scored the game’s first goal on a penalty shot on the way to a 4-1 Winnipeg lead in the first period. King, Dale Hawerchuk and Mike Eagles had those early goals.
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But the Oilers scored three straight in the second thanks to Craig Simpson, Mark Messier and Craig McTavish.
Fan Tyson Snelling was sporting a Selanne jersey as he sipped a beer during the second intermission.
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READ MORE: The history behind the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers rivalry
“It’s his dedication to the city,” Snelling said about cheering for Selanne, who received the key to city Friday from Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman.
“He’s a people person and every-day hard worker. It’s what we expect and what we see here in Winnipeg and Manitoba.”
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Tom Cochrane performs during the first intermission as the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers alumni teams face off at the NHL Heritage Classic in Winnipeg, Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Trevor Hagan
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The Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers alumni teams line up before NHL Heritage Classic action in Winnipeg, Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Trevor Hagan
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The Winnipeg Jets' alumni team takes to the ice to face off against the Edmonton Oilers at the NHL Heritage Classic in Winnipeg, Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Trevor Hagan
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Bob Vermette, a long time Jets 1.0 and 2.0 season ticket holder, takes a photo of the opening festivities as the Winnipeg Jets take on the Edmonton Oilers at the NHL Heritage Classic in Winnipeg, Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Trevor Hagan
Trevor Hagan / The Canadian Press
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Fans walk through the concourse as the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers alumni teams play at the NHL Heritage Classic in Winnipeg, Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Trevor Hagan
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The opening face-off of the Winnipeg Jets versus Edmonton Oilers alumni game at the NHL Heritage Classic in Winnipeg, Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Trevor Hagan
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Fans try to walk through the concourse as the Winnipeg Jets play the Edmonton Oilers in the alumni game at the NHL Heritage Classic in Winnipeg, Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Trevor Hagan
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The Edmonton Oilers' alumni team takes to the ice to face off against the Winnipeg Jets at the NHL Heritage Classic in Winnipeg, Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Trevor Hagan
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Former Winnipeg Jet Dale Hawerchuk (10) talks to goaltender Bob Essensa (35) against the Edmonton Oilers at Investors Group Field in the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic Alumni game in Winnipeg on Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
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Former Winnipeg Jet goaltender Bob Essensa (35) stops Edmonton Oiler Mark Messier (11) on the penalty shot at Investors Group Field in the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic Alumni game in Winnipeg on Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
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Former Winnipeg Jet Teemu Selanne (13) waves to the crowd at Investors Group Field prior to the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic Alumni game in Winnipeg on Saturday, October 22, 2016.
John Woods / The Canadian Press
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Former Edmonton Oilers Willy Lindstrom (89) and Winnipeg Jets Dale Hawerchuk (10) fight for the puck at Investors Group Field in the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic Alumni game in Winnipeg on Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
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Former Edmonton Oiler Wayne Gretzky (99) smiles at the crowd at Investors Group Field prior to the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic Alumni game in Winnipeg on Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
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Former Winnipeg Jet Mike Ford (3) celebrates their goal against the Edmonton Oilers Alumni at Investors Group Field in the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic Alumni game in Winnipeg on Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
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Former Edmonton Oiler Mark Messier (11) reacts after missing the penalty shot against the Winnipeg Jets Alumni at Investors Group Field in the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic Alumni game in Winnipeg on Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
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Former Winnipeg Jet Teemu Selanne (13) celebrates his penalty shot goal against the Edmonton Oilers at Investors Group Field in the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic Alumni game in Winnipeg on Saturday, October 22, 2016.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
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Former Winnipeg Jet Jim Kyte (6) checks Edmonton Oiler Jari Kurri (17) at Investors Group Field in the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic Alumni game in Winnipeg on Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
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Former Winnipeg Jet Dale Hawerchuk (10) celebrates his penalty shot goal against the Edmonton Oilers at Investors Group Field in the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic Alumni game in Winnipeg on Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
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Winnipeg Jets Alumni coach Tom McVie picks Teemu Selanne (13) to take the penalty shot as Ab McDonald listens in against the Edmonton Oilers at Investors Group Field in the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic Alumni game in Winnipeg on Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
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Former Edmonton Oilers Craig Simpson (18) and Mark Messier (11) celebrates Messier's goal against the Winnipeg Jets Alumni at Investors Group Field in the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic Alumni game in Winnipeg on Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
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Former Edmonton Oiler Wayne Gretzky (99) smiles at the crowd at Investors Group Field prior to the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic Alumni game in Winnipeg on Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
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Former Winnipeg Jet Teemu Selanne (13) waves to the crowd at Investors Group Field prior to the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic Alumni game in Winnipeg on Saturday, October 22, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
The rivalry between the long-time foes was in full force before the puck even dropped under overcast skies and a temperature of 11°C.
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Messier was booed when he was introduced, and heard more jeers when he scored.
READ MORE: Thousands attend Heritage Classic alumni practice
That didn’t bother fan Darren Nickoshie, who was sporting a Messier jersey and enjoying the action of the old-timers.
“Oh well, I can’t do anything about (the boos), but I was cheering,” said Nickoshie. “There’s so many Oiler jerseys here. I didn’t expect that. I thought, ‘Oh no, I’m going to get mauled.'”
He was surprised the alumni were as fast as they were.
“Holy, it’s almost like a real game,” Nickoshie said.
READ MORE: Former Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers take to the ice in preparation for the Heritage Classic Alumni game
Winnipeg and Edmonton were in the World Hockey Association from 1972-79, with the Jets winning three Avco Cup championships.
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The edge then turned to the Oilers after the teams entered the NHL in 1979. From 1983-89, they met five times in the playoffs, with Edmonton only losing one of their 19 games. The Oilers claimed the Stanley Cup in 1984, ’85, ’87 and ’88.
The driving force was Wayne Gretzky, who was playing in his second NHL outdoor game on Saturday. Gretzky was held off the score sheet.
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