So it's the morning after. The morning after a Stephen Brunt story in the Globe and Mail reported that Winnipeg would be getting an NHL team back after 15 years.
As soon as the news broke last night, Winnipeggers began celebrating, even as the denials of such a deal started coming in from numerous sources. Brunt stuck by his sources last night on the Illegal Curve radio show, as well as Sportsnet's Hockey Central even as True North Sports and Enterainment officials added to the denials. But there's no denying that it appears hockey is on the brink of returning to Winnipeg. The only question left is how soon until the NHL says its official.
The epicenter of the last night's celebrations was Portage and Main, an intersection in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. Fans filled the streets and began chanting as passing cars honked their horns like their team had just won a championship.
After the jump, videos and photos from the party in Winnipeg last night and reaction from Atlanta.
Did you happen to catch the guy wearing the Keith Yandle Jets jersey? Someone got a bit excited some months ago, huh?
Chants of "Go Jets Go" and "We Want Teemu" were rampant throughout the night.
And what would a Canadian celebration be without the singing of "O Canada"?
In Atlanta this morning, there's still hope. With everyone including NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman refuting the Globe and Mail report, Thrashers fans are still clinging to their team.
It's tough timing that the story breaks on Thursday and Saturday in Atlanta was the "Save the Thrashers" rally along with a Select-a-Seat event for season ticket buyers at Philips Arena.
Bill Tiller of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution offered this take to the Atlanta Spirit ownership group ahead of tomorrow's planned ticket event:
Finally, to the members of the AS, LLC I make this challenge. If the reports are true and you have been plotting and scheming for months to rip this franchise from this community, then cancel the Select A Seat event scheduled for tomorrow. Do not continue this ruse…this deception…this scam …this tease one day longer. Do not accept a single dollar for tickets to games for a season you know will not happen in Atlanta.
In short, do the decent, honorable and upright thing…for once…and let the fans know today the truth of the situation. Don't give an eager media looking to depict the turnout misrepresent the reality of the situation.
That way, you can at least say you were up-front and honest with us if even just this once in your disastrous seven years as owners…and Saturday afternoon can be a time of support, remembering and good-byes for those who plan on gathering at the Gulch.
For the Atlanta Spirit group to make their last decision as owners of the Thrashers one that might appease fans such as Tiller would be a shame that it took that long for them to finally listen.